Gamers Select Exhibition Event
In a strategic move to challenge the dominance of international video game marketplaces like Steam, PlayStation Store, and Nintendo eShop, Russian telecommunications company Rostelecom is developing its own online game store, tailored primarily for Russian studios and optimised for the Aurora OS[1][5].
**The Aurora Advantage**
The new store, which is anticipated to be compatible with tablets and potentially the gaming console being developed by FPlus, is set to integrate with the full-fledged online game store on the Aurora OS, as talks with Open Mobile Platform (OMP) are underway[1]. The Aurora OS, developed by OMP (part of Rostelecom's structure), is being adapted for the console prototype currently in development by FPlus[3].
**Growing Demand for Domestic Games**
Recent years have seen a rise in the popularity of Russian-developed games. The Institute for Internet Development (IRI) has funded multiple highly-rated and award-winning titles with millions of downloads, demonstrating a growing domestic gaming culture and openness among Russian gamers towards national developments[2]. This trend could foster demand for a platform focusing on Russian projects.
**Competition and Historical Challenges**
However, the new store faces significant competition. Steam alone boasts approximately 10 million users in Russia and a catalogue of over 100,000 games, making it a dominant player[4]. Other international stores also have strong footholds and brand loyalty, posing barriers to entry for a new domestic store. Historically, domestic online game stores in Russia have struggled due to limited demand and competition from international platforms[User’s premise].
**Regulatory and Political Influence**
Ongoing Russian censorship and regulatory pressures on foreign platforms may drive users towards domestic alternatives, potentially increasing Rostelecom’s platform adoption[4]. Compliance issues and restrictions faced by platforms like Steam could tilt user preferences towards homegrown options.
**The Future Outlook**
While the presence of entrenched international marketplaces is a major challenge, Rostelecom’s platform benefits from growing popularity of Russian-made games, state-backed support for domestic development, and a socio-political environment incentivizing local alternatives. The key to success will lie in delivering a strong user experience, competitive pricing, a compelling exclusive catalog, and leveraging integration with Aurora OS devices.
In conclusion, Rostelecom’s new online game store has a reasonable chance of success in the Russian market due to increasing national game production and regulatory dynamics, but it will face stiff competition and must overcome the historical low demand hurdle for domestic stores[1][2][4][5].
- With the integration of the new online game store with tablets and the potential gaming console by FPlus, Rostelecom's platform could attract users not only from tablets but also from gadgets running on the Aurora OS, thus expanding its reach within the realm of technology.
- As the Aurora OS evolves to support a wider range of devices, including potential gaming consoles, and the popularity of Russian-developed games continues to grow, gadget users might find a compelling reason to switch to technology that caters specifically to local game studios, leading to a potential shift in the market's dynamics.
