Russia is still preparing to make good on a promise to create a homegrown rival to Call of Duty. The dream is edging closer to reality, as government ministries signal they are prepared to offer immense financial support, tax breaks, and other incentives to any Russian studio willing to take on the gargantuan task.
The idea, which was first pushed by State Duma deputy Mikhail Delyagin, has now procured an official response from Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development. The numbers being lobbied are staggering, and the appropriate bodies could grant as much as 10 billion rubles ($128 million) to the right studio.
Russia’s Call of Duty Clone Could Become Reality
This isn’t the first time we’ve discussed Russia’s gaming aspirations in recent years. In 2024, Vladimir Putin ordered Russian tech titans to manufacture a range of home consoles that could eventually compete with the likes of Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo. That front has gone somewhat quiet, but a new, software-based dream has emerged.
Russia wants to make a Call of Duty competitor.
According to an original report from Gazeta.Ru (and circulated by IXBT), the ministry confirmed that developers who propose a large-scale military shooter that echoes Activision’s Call of Duty could qualify for support from the Internet Development Institute, one of Russia’s key state-funded digital initiatives.
But how much support is the government offering?
Early estimates suggest that building a Russian AAA shooter on par with Call of Duty could cost as much as 10 billion rubles, or around $124 million. It would easily make it amongst the most expensive gaming-related projects in the nation’s history. It has been stressed before that ‘no domestic studio’ could accomplish the task without substantial government support.
Hence, the lobbying for a potentially enormous grant.
The quote from the Ministry reads:
If the IRI receives an application for the allocation of funding for the development of a game on a topic corresponding to that indicated in your letter, it will be considered in the established procedure within the framework of the current competitive mechanisms.
Beyond potential funding, the Ministry of Digital Development reminded Russian reporters that the government offers a ‘suite of financial benefits’ for IT companies innovating like this. That includes reduced corporate income tax rates, lowered insurance premiums, and partial VAT exemptions.
This news comes mere weeks after the State Duma, the ‘lower house’ of Russia’s parliament, called for an investigation into Call of Duty. By their claims, the franchise preaches Russophobia, by ‘always’ making the ‘bad guy’ a Russian individual or group.
It has been suggested that Russia’s Call of Duty would flip the script, allowing users to fight against American, British, and Ukrainian forces. It was dubbed a ‘strategically important’ game for Russia, but whether it would leave the confines of the country is another thing entirely.
Do you think Russia’s game developers could ever muster up the ability to create a Call of Duty rival? Let us know what you’re thinking on the Insider Gaming Discord server.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that Fable concept art has leaked
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
More from Grant Taylor-Hill
Sounds awesome they’ll make better ganes than America. Hope they get into the animation space too.
Okay grandpa, let’s get you to bed
Yup Atomic Heart
They need a GTA also yes to get into the animation space funny they used to do that