Mind Games: Most Russian studios are introducing AI into the development process

Most Russian game studios (80%) use artificial intelligence technologies at various stages of game development. These are the results of a study of the IT landscape of the domestic industry conducted by the Institute for Internet Development (IRI), the A PRIORI Association and the Skolkovo Foundation. The survey included about 140 representatives of studios and independent developers from 39 regions of Russia. Experts emphasize that the future belongs to domestic AI models adapted to Russian tasks.

Russia is actively using the potential of AI

About 80% of Russian studios use AI to create games. These are the results of a study of the IT landscape of the domestic industry conducted by the Institute for Internet Development (IRI), the A PRIORI Association and the Skolkovo Foundation (Izvestia has it). The survey, which included about 140 developers from 39 regions, showed that AI has become an integral part of the production process.

Neural networks are most often used for writing code (47.8%), creating and processing graphics (40.4%). At the same time, developers are using AI to generate story scenarios (28.7%) and dialogues (27.9%).

The leading game engines remain Unity (56.6%) and Unreal Engine (39.7%). The main target platform is a personal computer (91.9%), but almost half of the studios (48.5%) also focus on mobile devices. VK Play (64.7%) and Steam (61.8%) remain the main game publishing channels. RuStore and Google Play are also popular. Developers use multiple platforms simultaneously to promote their product.

The presented study is the first stage in a series of studies aimed at evaluating the technological base and software used in the Russian gaming industry. The next step will be to analyze the application and related software that provides full-fledged development of gaming products.

The final analytical conclusions and recommendations will be sent to relevant departments, regulatory authorities and the Gaming Services Competence Center under the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation. These materials are aimed at helping to form priorities in the selection of projects applying for the status of a "Particularly significant project" and to develop government support measures in accordance with the real demands of the industry, the study notes.

AI is the future of the gaming industry

The results of the study confirm that AI integration has already become a widespread practice in Russian studios. This helps automate the routine and focus on creativity, says Alexander Mikheev, CEO of the Association of Professionals in the Game Development and Operation Industry (A PRIORI).

Andrey Voronkov, Deputy General Director of the IRI, noted that the majority of the market is made up of small and independent teams from 39 regions, and this indicates a healthy ecosystem. Despite challenges such as financial constraints and technological dependence, the industry is demonstrating resilience.

— We hope that the results will help determine the areas of support and development of domestic alternatives to foreign services, — explained Andrey Voronkov.

Alexander Mikheev emphasized that it is not statistics that are much more important, but their meaning, which is that the Russian game industry is technological and adaptive.

— We expect the market to consolidate over time, but now several large players and many niche companies are dominating. Mergers and acquisitions occur periodically, and we are actively buying AI players ourselves. But major deals should be expected when the market takes shape and stops changing so rapidly, probably in the late 2020s and early 2030s," said Alexander Smolensky, CEO of the Expanta industrial software developers holding.

According to Konstantin Besedin, Nextby's director of development, a trend in AI has taken shape in the Russian Federation: verticalization and practical application, rather than an attempt to "catch up on flagship capacity." Our developers do not copy Western approaches, but adapt AI to their own tasks, language, and business environment. This is the competitive advantage of domestic AI models in the coming years.

— The future of the gaming industry is determined by technologies: artificial intelligence, services, platforms. Our goal is to help companies unlock this potential and reduce dependence on foreign technologies, and the study will help identify key priorities," concluded the Director of Digital Creative Industries at the Skolkovo Foundation (VEB Group.Russian Federation), Head of the Sk Games department Alexey Kalenchuk.

The Moscow Video Game Cluster and RuStore have launched an accelerator for mobile game developers, including those using AI technologies.