Camilla Jessen
Russia is pushing new legislation that would fine game developers millions for content deemed “Russophobic”
Russian lawmakers are preparing amendments that would impose fines of up to 5 million rubles (approx. $55,000) on video game developers who publish content deemed “anti-Russian” or harmful to public morals.
The proposal is part of a broader move by the State Duma to tighten state control over the gaming industry.
The initiative, spearheaded by United Russia deputies and reported by Izvestia, would add penalties to the Code of Administrative Offenses and mirror restrictions already placed on traditional mass media.
Deputy Chairman of the Duma Committee on Security, Anatoly Vyborny, one of the bill’s authors, claimed that Western-made games have become tools of “anti-Russian propaganda”, spreading harmful stereotypes and ideas.
“In today’s world, online video games are used by Western politicians to incite hatred, including against Russians, and to promote harmful stereotypes such as glorifying Nazism,” Vyborny told Izvestia.
Proposed Penalties
Under the draft amendments:
- Hidden inserts that could affect players subconsciously or damage their health would incur fines of 400,000 to 1 million rubles.
- Content that shows “obvious disrespect” for society, Russia’s military glory, or commemorative dates could lead to fines between 3 million and 5 million rubles.
These rules are modeled after Article 13.15 of Russia’s media law, which has previously been used to penalize media outlets for similar offenses.
No Enforcement Body Yet
While a bill titled “On the Development and Distribution of Video Games in Russia” was introduced in December 2024, its current form does not include penalties for so-called destructive content.
The Russian government has not supported the bill in its current state, citing a lack of clarity about which agency would regulate the industry.
Nonetheless, Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin has argued that such laws are necessary to protect young people from “propaganda of alien values.”
The bill’s official rationale states that restrictions are needed “to protect the morality, rights, and legitimate interests of citizens.”
Putin’s Push for Cultural Control in Games
The legislative push follows a directive by President Vladimir Putin, who called on the government to monitor the domestic video game market. Putin expressed concern about the spread of “distorted historical narratives” and games that misrepresent Russia’s role in world events.
“A game should help a person grow, educate them with universal values and patriotism — not in a narrow or aggressive way, but in a humanitarian and moral sense,” Putin said.