SPIEF 2025: Mordovia shares its experience in developing the domestic gaming industry
The gaming industry is one of the key segments of the digital economy, highlighted by the President of Russia. This is no longer just entertainment, but a new industry of knowledge and influence. The Russian computer game market is growing rapidly, amounting to more than 200 billion rubles last year. At the same time, the government is beginning to occupy an increasingly important place in the industry, investing in the creation of games.
On the sidelines of SPIEF 2025, a discussion on the development of the domestic gaming industry was held as part of the session "Video Games as new Oil: how can Russia build the industry of the future?" with the support of the Institute for Internet Development (IID). One of the speakers of the session was the Head of Mordovia, Artyom Zdunov.
Let us remind you that our republic is an active player in this field. With the support of IID, one of the companies in the region (“Foxhound” LLC) is developing a multiplayer online game "Off-Road Commanders". Work on the project began in August 2024. The initiative was supported by the Head of the Republic of Mordovia, Artyom Zdunov.
During the session, the Head of the Republic noted that the gaming industry has been developing in Mordovia for quite a long time. It was in the republic that the standard for testing gaming software was created in 2022, and Mordovia has repeatedly hosted esports competitions at various levels.
KAMAZ PJSC has become one of the main partners of the “Off-Road Commanders” game, and Sberbank and Rostelecom are showing interest in the project. "This game will greatly support the automotive industry and the country's economy. Increasing interest in engineering professions, staff training, tourism development and support for the domestic automotive industry are the main things we focus on with the support of this area. It is important that the educational institutions of the republic get involved and train the necessary personnel. The Mordovian team is growing – this is not our first and not our last project in the field of the gaming industry," said Artem Zdunov.
It was also noted that the region supports the project in building relationships with potential investors. The team has all the regional resources at its disposal: an information and computing complex and an Innovative business Incubator “Molodezhny”, launched at the end of last year. Tax incentives have been introduced.
In addition, the idea of creating Russia's first regional cluster of the video game industry, focused on supporting novice teams of game developers, is currently being considered in Mordovia. This is, among other things, a good opportunity not only to train qualified personnel at regional universities, but also to attract young enthusiasts to the region.
Alexey Goreslavsky, CEO of ANO IID, noted that Saransk has long been famous as the capital of testers. An IT cluster and conditions for the development of projects are currently being created in the republic: "You are investing in this area purposefully, you see this as a growth point for the region."
"We are finding new niches with high margins and innovation. And the video game industry is just such an area. It provides good salaries, which helps to retain young professionals in the region and invite them from large cities. We believe in this industry, and the future belongs to us!" emphasized Artyom Zdunov.
Alexander Gorbachenko, CEO of “Foxhound”, spoke about the implementation of the “Off-Road Commanders” game project. Cooperation with the KAMAZ team provides great opportunities when creating a game. Currently, more than 50 professionals from different parts of the world are working on it: from Minsk to Vladivostok. The team is planned to expand to 90 employees by the end of this year. The first public screening of the game is scheduled for 2026, the year of the 50th anniversary of the release of the first production KAMAZ car from the assembly line.
At the end of the discussion, Artyom Zdunov addressed all young programmers interested in the development of the industry and appreciated the importance of the activities of humanities working with visual and design to improve the consumer quality of products: "There is a place for everyone here, welcome to the industry!"
During the dialogue of the session participants with the speakers, they also discussed the passion of modern youth for video games, the importance of choosing a project manager and recruiting creative and professional specialists.
Source: Press Service of the Head of the Republic of Mordovia