Russia’s Gaming Consoles Can’t Compete with Xbox and PlayStation

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As a long-time gamer with a soft spot for the PlayStation and Xbox consoles that have shaped my childhood memories, I can’t help but feel a mix of amusement and intrigue as I follow Russia’s attempts to enter the gaming console market. Growing up in the era of Sony’s dominance, it was fascinating to witness the fierce competition between PlayStation and Xbox, with each new release pushing the boundaries of what consoles could do.

Now, years later, it seems that Russia is taking a stab at the console wars, but their efforts thus far have left much to be desired. Anton Gorelkin’s recent statements about their ‘breakthrough’ technology being behind that of PlayStation and Xbox only serve to highlight the immense challenge they face in this highly competitive market.

I find myself rooting for the underdog, hoping against hope that Russia can create a console that stands up to the giants of the gaming industry. However, with reports suggesting that their consoles will be ‘not very powerful’ and hyper-cheap, I can’t help but wonder if they’ll even make it into my living room, let alone become a viable competitor.

On a lighter note, I can’t help but imagine the hilarious scenario of a Russian console launching with a price tag of $45 and an Xbox-styled controller – I guess we’ll just have to wait and see if this becomes reality! Only time will tell if Russia’s foray into gaming consoles proves to be another chapter in their rich history or a footnote in the annals of console wars.

Previously disclosed this year, it emerged that Putin mandated domestic technology companies to create their own video game consoles. The ambition is for Russia to challenge PlayStation and Xbox in the gaming console market, however, it appears progress isn’t proceeding smoothly.

According to a recent post on Habr.com, the ‘Skolkovo Foundation’, responsible for building the fundamental structure of the consoles, has encountered some technological problems.

‘Something Truly Breakthrough’

In a quote picked up by Habr.com (and circulated by Tom’s Hardware), it was said:

I’m hoping my team will tackle this job with utmost diligence, aiming to create something groundbreaking. Given the current state of Elbrus processors, it’s clear we need an unconventional approach as they aren’t yet on par with PS5 and Xbox in terms of competition.

Anton Gorelkin, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, made a reference to ‘Elbrus’ in his quote, which symbolizes a Russian-made processor unit. His statement implies that while the technology Russia has developed is transparent, it currently lags behind the hardware produced by Xbox and PlayStation.

The Elbrus processor was assembled by the Moscow Center for SPARC Technologies, however, it doesn’t compare to the hardware that companies like Intel and AMD are producing.

Gorelkin repeated the desire to create something sovereign, per Putin’s wishes:

The main purpose of this platform is to boost and increase visibility for locally produced video games, reaching a wider demographic that goes beyond PC and mobile gaming.

Latest findings indicate that the Russians are developing two gaming consoles. One of them is a less potent device, while the other is a cloud-focused streaming console priced at around $45. A first glance image, released not long ago, unveiled that the budget-friendly $45 console comes equipped with an Xbox-like controller, a compact remote, and a USB dongle.

In an article by RBC.ru, the goal of the hyper-cheap gaming solution was detailed:

The MTS console functions based on the concept of cloud gaming, specifically utilizing the MTS Fog Play system, which is often referred to as a “fog gaming” platform. Initially developed for users with less powerful computers, this system enables them to enjoy games that typically demand higher system specifications.

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2025-01-01 11:18