Russia is making some bold moves: developing two gaming consoles to reduce dependence on Western tech. Can they compete with global giants like PlayStation and Xbox?
The Elbrus Console
Russia’s first venture, led by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will run on the Elbrus processor—a chip designed for critical infrastructure but far behind Intel and AMD in performance. According to officials, it’s less about rivaling Sony and Microsoft and more about supporting Russian-made video games. Sounds patriotic, but with limited hardware capabilities, even Anton Gorelkin (Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy) admits the Elbrus isn’t quite PS5 or Xbox Series X material yet. Big hurdle: getting game developers onboard to create compelling titles for a hardware platform that’s not cutting-edge.
Fog Play: Cloud Gaming, Russian Style
The second console, Fog Play, takes a cloud-based approach. For just $45-$50, it promises access to high-end games—provided you have rock-solid internet. Developed by telecom giant MTS, it allows users to rent out powerful PCs for gaming, but inconsistent broadband infrastructure could be a major buzzkill. Sure, it’s innovative, but casual gamers might find it more appealing than hardcore ones used to Sony and Microsoft’s polished ecosystems.
Can They Compete?
The global dominance of PlayStation and Xbox isn’t just about hardware—it’s the decades of innovation, exclusive games, and player loyalty that make them untouchable. Meanwhile, Russia’s tech efforts are still in the prototype phase, and the lack of AAA game developers in the country doesn’t help.
These consoles will be nowhere near ready to dethrone Sony or Microsoft. Remember how hard it was for xbox when it launched. They are however a stepping stone toward building a homegrown gaming ecosystem and the effort is admirable to say the least.
What’s your verdict? Would you give these consoles a shot if they launched in India? Or do you think Russia’s efforts will remain a niche, overshadowed by PlayStation and Xbox? Drop your thoughts below and let’s discuss!
Source: https://www.firstpost.com/explainer...mpete-with-playstation-and-xbox-13849636.html
The Elbrus Console
Russia’s first venture, led by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will run on the Elbrus processor—a chip designed for critical infrastructure but far behind Intel and AMD in performance. According to officials, it’s less about rivaling Sony and Microsoft and more about supporting Russian-made video games. Sounds patriotic, but with limited hardware capabilities, even Anton Gorelkin (Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy) admits the Elbrus isn’t quite PS5 or Xbox Series X material yet. Big hurdle: getting game developers onboard to create compelling titles for a hardware platform that’s not cutting-edge.
Fog Play: Cloud Gaming, Russian StyleThe second console, Fog Play, takes a cloud-based approach. For just $45-$50, it promises access to high-end games—provided you have rock-solid internet. Developed by telecom giant MTS, it allows users to rent out powerful PCs for gaming, but inconsistent broadband infrastructure could be a major buzzkill. Sure, it’s innovative, but casual gamers might find it more appealing than hardcore ones used to Sony and Microsoft’s polished ecosystems.
Can They Compete?
The global dominance of PlayStation and Xbox isn’t just about hardware—it’s the decades of innovation, exclusive games, and player loyalty that make them untouchable. Meanwhile, Russia’s tech efforts are still in the prototype phase, and the lack of AAA game developers in the country doesn’t help.
These consoles will be nowhere near ready to dethrone Sony or Microsoft. Remember how hard it was for xbox when it launched. They are however a stepping stone toward building a homegrown gaming ecosystem and the effort is admirable to say the least.
What’s your verdict? Would you give these consoles a shot if they launched in India? Or do you think Russia’s efforts will remain a niche, overshadowed by PlayStation and Xbox? Drop your thoughts below and let’s discuss!
Source: https://www.firstpost.com/explainer...mpete-with-playstation-and-xbox-13849636.html