Media: A working group has been created in the State Duma to regulate video games
Russian authorities continue to work on a bill to regulate the video game market in the country. According to TASS, a special cross-party working group has been formed in the State Duma to refine it.
As reported by TASS, citing sources, the group includes the heads of several "relevant committees" and the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma, Pyotr Tolstoy. The full list of participants has not been disclosed.
To recall, the bill "On the Activities for the Development and Distribution of Video Games in the Russian Federation" was submitted for consideration by the State Duma in December 2024. If adopted in its current form, distributors will be required to label games, and in games with an authorization option, there should be the ability to log in using a mobile phone or the public services platform, Gosuslugi.
The bill not only lists restrictions but also support measures. For example, it states that Russian developers will be able to count on funding from the state budget and tax benefits.
Before coming into effect, the bill must pass through three full readings in the State Duma, be reviewed by the Federation Council, and then receive the President of Russia's signature. Currently, the document is being prepared for preliminary reading in the State Duma. When it will take place is unknown.
Two weeks ago, the Chairman of the State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, stated that the authorities intend to make a decision related to game regulation by the end of January. According to him, officials want to protect Russians—especially children— from "destructive content." He later added that before the initiative is adopted, it will be discussed with "parent communities, teachers, experts, industry representatives, psychologists, and all interested parties."
