Russia will not create a domestic engine with state money. The project is too expensive

In July, the Russian Ministry of Digital Development reported on a project to create a domestic game engine that would allow Russian developers to freely work on new products.

Developers met with representatives of the Ministry of Digital Development, which sparked the idea of creating a domestic alternative in case access to Unreal Engine or Unity is cut off.

However, ambitious plans collided with reality. Maksut Shadaev, Minister of Digital Development, stated in the State Duma that creating an in-house engine “monetizes poorly.” The technology would consume more resources than it provides benefits, making it pointless.

The Russian government will not invest state budget funds into the engine, but the minister mentioned that the program could count on “private funding” and, according to him, even found an investor who is likely willing to pay for the engine. In July, politicians reported that creating the technology would require three billion rubles. 

Over time, it will become clear whether someone truly willing to invest such a substantial sum has emerged, especially considering that the investment might be unprofitable and never pay off.