Russia is weighing what could become the largest video game development push in its history: a homegrown, big-budget military shooter pitched as a rival to Call of Duty, with early cost estimates reaching 10 billion rubles, or about $124 million.
The discussion gained momentum after a public proposal urged the country to pursue a domestic alternative to major Western military shooters, arguing that foreign games can shape perceptions of Russia in ways officials consider unfavorable. In response, public reporting says Russia’s digital authorities signaled that a project of this scale could be considered for support—provided a qualified studio submits a formal application through the country’s existing competitive procedures.
Importantly, nothing described so far amounts to a confirmed greenlight. The 10 billion-ruble figure has been presented as an estimate of what it could cost to build a modern, large-scale shooter comparable in scope and polish to global blockbusters. Any actual funding—whether as a grant, subsidy, or other structured support—would still hinge on review criteria, feasibility checks, and the outcome of a competitive selection process.
If a proposal does move forward, developers would face a familiar reality of AAA production: the cost and complexity of shipping a premium shooter extends far beyond core gameplay. Modern military shooters typically involve large teams across engineering, animation, cinematics, art, audio, networking, anti-cheat systems, and quality assurance. On top of the initial release, many top franchises rely on ongoing updates, seasonal content, and technical support—capabilities that can be hard to build quickly, even with significant backing.
Public reporting also suggests the support package under discussion is not limited to direct project financing. Studios may be able to pursue broader incentives available to technology and digital-media companies, such as tax-related benefits and other forms of financial relief that reduce the cost of employing staff and operating at scale. While incentives do not replace production experience, they can change whether a studio can maintain a large team over a multi-year development cycle.
Still, major unanswered questions remain. No studio has been officially named as the developer. No timeline, platform targets, or concrete production plan has been publicly confirmed. And there is no verified indication of how the project would be structured—whether it would focus on a story campaign, competitive multiplayer, or a live-service model that expects frequent content drops.
Another uncertainty is what “rival” means in practical terms. Matching a top-tier franchise requires not only budget but also tested pipelines, proven leadership, and mature technology choices. High-end shooters demand reliable performance, responsive controls, robust online infrastructure, and extensive testing across a wide range of hardware. They also face strong competition for player attention in an already crowded market.
For Russia’s domestic industry, however, the conversation itself signals ambition. If a project of this size is formally pursued, it would likely be framed as both an entertainment release and an industrial initiative—one that supports local studios, expands technical capacity, and produces a high-visibility product meant to compete with established international titles.
For now, the most accurate way to view the plan is as a high-profile proposal that has reached the stage of “potential eligibility” rather than a guaranteed government-funded production. The next step, according to public reporting, would be a concrete application from a capable developer—followed by evaluation under existing procedures.
News written by Mike.
