A special OKVED code for video game development will be introduced in Russia
The All-Russian Classification of Economic Activities will soon be expanded with 27 new codes. One of them will be specifically designed for studios engaged in video game development.
TSAREVNA. Age of Tales
The upcoming changes have been announced by the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI), which, in collaboration with the Higher School of Economics, has been preparing proposals to update the Classification of Economic Activities (OKVED).
According to the organization, the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation has already "initiated the introduction" of the codes, but it has not been specified when they will officially become available.
All 27 new OKVED codes are related in some way to the creative industries. In addition to the OKVED for video game development, the classification will include, for example, codes for streaming services, graphic design, and digital distribution of sound recordings. ASI hopes this will help better analyze the state of individual segments and provide targeted state support.
Currently, game studios in Russia often use the more general OKVED 62.01 — "Computer Software Development" — to designate their primary activity. This code pertains to software creation in general, not just video games. Meanwhile, publishers have had their own OKVED 58.21 — "Computer Game Publishing" — for quite some time.