Roskoshestvo will check popular video games for “manipulation mechanics”

“We will explore popular computer games. First of all, let’s pay attention to manipulation mechanics – ways to extract money from players. “The Roskachestvo Digital Experience Center will analyze what techniques can influence the behavior of players, including children, what risks they entail and to what extent games lead to addictions,” Protasov said.

As a result of the study, the department plans, together with the Internet Development Institute (IDI), which provides grants to domestic game developers, to create a methodology for evaluating the quality of games. It is necessary for the buyer to understand whether the game has received a quality mark.

In early December, the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Education Committee, Yana Lantratova, proposed forcing games to receive distribution certificates, similar to films. The deputy stated that together with Iran she prepared the corresponding bill.

Lantratova explained the need for the measure by saying that through the games Western countries “introduce hateful attitudes toward Russia,” promote LGBT* ideology, romanticize violence and the rejection of traditional values.

Later in December, Kommersant wrote that a group of senators and deputies had prepared a bill that should force online platforms Steam, GOG and others to identify gamers by their phone number, through the ” State Services” or the Unified Biometric System. The document is scheduled to be presented to the State Duma soon.

*The LGBT movement is recognized as extremist in Russia and is banned.