The Russian video game industry has become a full-fledged economic and media sector: the market size is estimated at 2.3 billion dollars, and the total audience has reached 106-110 million people (up to 81% of the country's population). The "Gaming in Russia 2026" study conducted by the Video game development organization (VIDO) with the IFSI video game holding and the NAFI Analytical Center shows that video games have ceased to be a niche hobby — every third adult Russian plays daily, and the market continues to grow even in a turbulent economy. In addition, the research project refutes the main myths about Russian gaming, including the notion that gamers are just children or outsiders.

Myth: The main audience of video games is children and adult idlers

Reality: Every third adult Russian plays video games every day (34%), compared with only 23% three years ago. 

The modern Russian gamer is no longer a schoolboy, but a working person for whom games are embedded in the daily rhythm along with other digital practices. The core audience of Russian gaming is growing rapidly at the expense of not only working, but also well—off Russians, and the age group is also changing - the "center of gravity" of the gaming hobby is shifting into adulthood. Men (82% versus 69% of women), young people aged 14-17 (93%) and 18-24 (90%) play more often.

Two thirds of gamers (65%) work, while 70% of them are employed full-time. However, the majority (65%) do not have higher education.

There are more people with relatively high incomes among gamers — those who can easily buy large household appliances, but could not buy a car (34%) than among non-gamers (29%). 

Over the past three years, the activity of players has increased at all ages, but the championship is still held by young people. 7 out of 10 parents say that their children between the ages of 7 and 14 play video games, so the total children's audience ranges from 14 to 18 million. More than 54% of boys and girls aged 14-17 years every day or almost every day, and 45% of such players in the 18-24 age group, while in older age groups this figure is 29-34%.

Vasily Ovchinnikov, Head of the Video Game Industry Development Organization: "Our second study of the video game industry captures the state of the market three years after the first measurement and the beginning of large-scale geopolitical and digital changes, allowing us to talk about long-term trends. The 2025 data shows a shift in the audience structure: women make up 50.3% of active players, and the 55+ generation, which perceives games as a form of intellectual leisure, is becoming one of the most involved groups. The high interest in strategies and puzzles confirms the demand for complex and meaningful gameplay. At the same time, the myth of the "digital divide" is being destroyed: the main gaming audience is concentrated in the regions, not in the capitals.

The practical conclusions are obvious: the Russian audience is technically literate and appreciates depth, so simplifying PC games is unjustified. In communicating with female and age-related audiences, brands and agencies should move away from the term "gamer", focusing on recreation, development and communication. It is also worth noting that in the future the data set will be open for independent analysis and use in scientific and educational projects."

Myth: Video games are a niche hobby, and gamers are outsiders, a thin layer and an endangered species. 

Reality: Gaming has become a mass practice, and video games have become a habit for most Russians. The total audience of video games ranges from 106 to 110 million people aged 7 years and older, from 78 to 81% of the population of the Russian Federation. Among adult citizens, every third person plays video games every day (34%). Over the past three years, this figure has increased by 11 percentage points (from 23%), when the number of players was 88 million people.

Today, gamers, that is, people who play video games with varying frequency, make up three quarters (75%) of Russian residents aged 14 and older. Moreover, it is important that many of them (47%) consider gaming as a full-fledged form of cultural leisure, comparable to reading books and watching movies.

9 out of 10 Russian gamers over the age of 14 play video games at least once a month. Among those who played in the month before the survey, men were the most active — 50% of them played every or almost every day, as well as teenagers aged 14-17 — 58%.

Guzelia Imayeva, General Director of the NAFI Analytical Center: "The results of the study show that video games in Russia have ceased to be a niche entertainment and have turned into a stable mass practice with pronounced social and economic potential. The key shift is that gaming is increasingly becoming a part of adult, working life — along with other digital leisure and content consumption formats. This changes the logic of industry development.: The focus is shifting from short-term, engaging mechanics to long-term use cases, high-quality content, and service models aimed at a mature audience.

For businesses, this means taking into account different consumption styles depending on age, region and income level, and for the government, it means considering video games as an element of the creative economy that can influence employment, digital skills and cultural production."

Myth: Real gamers play on fancy expensive computers or in special clubs

Reality: The video game market is changing rapidly, with mobile gaming leading the way. Between 60% and 80% of users play on smartphones and tablets, depending on the city, and among children aged 7-14, this figure is 76%. High-income gamers are more likely to be involved in cloud gaming (21% versus 11% in the economy segment) and VR more often.

Myth: Everyone knows that games distract children from their studies and teach them to be violent.

Reality: The benefits of video games far outweigh the harms, according to the overwhelming majority of respondents.

Surprisingly, despite the hype slogans about the dangers of video games that can be seen in the media comments after each high-profile crime, the country's population agrees with real experts on the topic. 

Positive attitudes about the impact of video games on humans prevail in Russian society. 62% of Russians are convinced that video games promote the development of useful skills, slightly less than 60%, that they develop a competitive spirit and determination. In addition, it is important that a gamer can use video games to relax and relieve stress (61% of respondents believe this).

Russians were able to identify five basic skills that can be developed through video games: logical thinking (55%), coordination and reaction, as well as strategic planning (36% each), decision-making (33%), creative thinking (29%). Modern esports is a real sports discipline that requires high training and teamwork, 59% of respondents believe, in addition, 56% consider video games to be a form of communication.

In fairness, it should be noted that the positive effect of video games, the applicability of gaming skills in real life, the connection of video games with the effectiveness of teamwork and stress management are more often noted by gamers themselves. 

But the risks and threats associated with video games are more emphasized by those respondents who do not play themselves. Among the negative effects of video games, Russians cite a negative impact on the academic performance of children and adolescents (56%), the appearance of gambling addiction that interferes with normal life (55%), and harm to mental and physical health (52%). 35% of respondents believe that video games make people more violent in everyday life, and 32% believe that video games are a waste of time that does not bring any benefit.

Myth: Once you start playing, you can't stop playing.

Reality: Gamers spend relatively little time playing video games.

The majority of Russian gamers (83%) have a continuous gaming session limited to a maximum of three hours (and often less). On average, gamers who have played video games at least once in the last month spend 13 hours playing video games per week.

Interestingly, the most involved players do not live in the capital: the largest proportion of gamers (more than 80% of the city's population) live in Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, Yekaterinburg and Perm. At least 30% of gamers from these cities play video games daily, and in Volgograd they often choose role-playing strategies, in Rostov-on—Don - shooters and racing, in Yekaterinburg — simulators. The fewest gamers are in St. Petersburg, Kazan and Omsk - less than 30% of the population plays in these cities.

75% of the residents of the capital are addicted to video games. More than half of them (58%) play for less than 1 hour a day, while only 21% spend one to three hours a day playing the game.,

Myth: All games and gamers are the same

Reality: In fact, men and women, representatives of different generations and residents of different cities prefer heterogeneous genres of games. For example, women are more likely to choose puzzles, while men choose shooters, strategies, and role-playing games. Representatives of the older generation (55+) tend towards puzzles, while younger players (14-34) choose simulators and role-playing games. Interestingly, there are many horror fans among residents of large cities (16% versus 10% in other localities).

, A link to the full study.

Who conducted the research and how

Methodology: The All-Russian survey was conducted by the NAFI Analytical Center in October 2025 using its own Tet-o-tvet research platform. 4,600 people aged 14 and over were interviewed, including 791 parents of children aged 7 to 14. The sample is based on official statistics from Rosstat and represents the population of the Russian Federation by gender, age, level of education and type of settlement. The statistical error of the data does not exceed 1.4%.

RVI is an association of industry professionals whose main work is aimed at mutual assistance, protection and development of the domestic game industry and the entire video game industry. The association includes about 350 experts and industry representatives, from developers and publishers to streamers and lawyers.

The organization's goal is to develop the video game industry by supporting significant projects and useful initiatives, promoting them, and discussing them. RVI promotes the creation of a positive image of game development and gaming culture in society, as well as coordination of interaction between investors, publishers, scientific and educational communities and corporations.