In the ever-evolving world of gaming, creating something uniquely sovereign in the realm of computing is no simple task. Oftentimes, the initiative either falters due to a lack of resources or veers into producing subpar copies that lose their sovereign identity. After President Putin’s recent mandate for a Russian-made game console, it seems the industry is exploring both of these less-than-ideal paths. According to Habr.com, one approach is crafting a new console powered by a dual-core Elbrus processor, a homegrown creation. Meanwhile, an RBC report suggests another strategy: developing a cloud gaming service using affordable consumer hardware and branding it as a sovereign innovation.
Russia’s upcoming gaming console hinges on the Elbrus processor, known for its Very Long Instruction Word (VLIW) microarchitecture, a design initially intended for demanding, mission-critical tasks. However, based on benchmarks, Elbrus processors are considered inadequate for most gaming needs. The forthcoming console is unlikely to measure up to the high-performance levels of the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S. To tackle these performance hurdles, Russian politicians are calling for developers to think outside the box.
“I trust my colleagues to tackle this mission with dedication and innovation,” stated Anton Gorelkin, the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy. “It’s evident that Elbrus processors aren’t ready to compete on par with the PS5 and Xbox, so we need a novel approach.”
This innovative strategy might involve simplifying games enough for the Elbrus CPUs to manage—though it’s doubtful Russian gamers with access to top-tier games would opt for such ‘simplified’ experiences. Alternatively, cloud gaming could be the answer, though it would necessitate high-speed Internet with minimal latency for optimal play.
Interestingly, Gorelkin emphasized that the console’s goal shouldn’t just be to recycle old games. Instead, it should also serve to promote homegrown Russian games.
Turning now to MTS—one of Russia’s major telecom operators—they’re working on a console that highlights their cloud-based gaming platform, cleverly named MTS Fog Play. This device, which resembles an Xbox controller, runs on basic hardware and is priced at about $50. Given this low price point, the console itself isn’t capable of handling even simple Android games. Instead, users will rely on the Fog Play cloud service, enabling both remote gaming and game rental options, which will appeal to those with high-end PCs still interested in MTS’s game offerings.
Neither of these intriguing console projects has hit the market yet, but rest assured, we’ll be ready to delve into their benchmarks as soon as they launch.
