But there is a chance that something like a Steam Deck or simpler devices will turn out.
Until June 15, 2024, the Russian government must study the possibility of producing game consoles in the country – this is an order from the president. Experts interviewed by Kommersant told how this order could be implemented.
According to the publication's interlocutors, it is better not to count on Russian analogues of Xbox or PlayStation. The creation of such consoles can take up to ten years, and the country has no experience in producing such devices.
At the same time, says Anton Fomin, head of retail projects at Fplus, it is possible to establish the production of portable consoles in the country. This could be something like Valve's Steam Deck, or “controllers for Smart TV with simple games.”
In Russia, the publication recalls, similar devices were produced by Rostelecom and VimpelCom: these were Android consoles that launched games from Google Play. It may be possible to restore their production.
Another market participant, in a conversation with the publication, notes that the production of consoles may be undertaken by the GS Group holding, which assembles consoles for Sber. It is assumed that the “project as a whole” may be entrusted to VK or another gaming holding.
This is interesting