Gaming platforms may be required to identify players through State Services

Among the authors of the initiative are members of the Duma Information Policy Committee Anton Gorelkin and Anton Nemkin, the first deputy chairman of the Education Committee Yana Lantratova, senators Artem Sheikin, Liliya Gumerova and Natalya Kuvshinova. The bill is expected to be submitted to the State Duma soon.

According to the document, video game distributors want to be required to inform users about their content, including “crude words”, images or descriptions of cruelty and violence, alcohol or smoking. The government will compile a complete list.

The authors also propose to conduct an examination of video games for the presence of information prohibited in Russia and establish restrictions “to protect the morals, rights and interests of citizens.”

In addition, video game distributors, according to the bill, must identify users by their telephone number, using the Unified Identification and Authorization System (USIA, the State Services portal) or the Unified Biometric System.

The rule applies to all gaming platforms, regardless of the country of registration, so “the measure will also affect the popular Steam and GOG platforms,” ​​highlighted a Kommersant source in one of the development studios. According to him, foreign distributors will not meet Russian requirements, which could serve as a pretext for blocking them.

Market participants interviewed by Kommersant called the bill excessive. “If there is a sufficient legislative framework regulating age restrictions on content, such bills seem premature at the current stage,” said Alexander Mikheev, head of the Association of Game Operation and Development Industry Professionals (which includes VK Play, Astrum Entertainment, United Games).