Digital gaming hub introduced by Rostelecom for avid gamers
Russian telecommunications giant Rostelecom has entered the international gaming market with its newly launched gaming platform, offering a vast collection of over 4,500 games. This latest venture showcases the potential of domestic developers in the global gaming industry and underscores Rostelecom's commitment to the gaming sector.
The platform, which is accessible to users of gaming consoles and computers running Mac OS and Windows, offers game keys for Steam and console titles. Among the games available are Helldivers 2, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, Tekken 8, LEGO Horizon Adventures, Dragon’s Dogma 2, and Cyberpunk 2077. Rostelecom has promised to add more popular games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Elden Ring Nightreign, and Stellar Blade in future updates.
In addition to game keys, the platform sells in-game currency for free-to-play titles and top-up cards for services like the PlayStation Store, Nintendo eShop, Game Pass, and EA Play. However, prices for these cards, particularly PS Store cards, have a significant markup. For instance, a $100 PS Store card costs around 14,700 rubles with a discount, while the non-discounted price is around 19,700 rubles, which is notably higher than the current exchange rate equivalent of approximately 8,000 rubles.
Ilya Piatigorsky, Director of Digital Products at Rostelecom, emphasised the significance of the new platform, stating, "Our gaming platform is a testament to the capabilities and willingness of domestic developers in the international gaming industry." Hisham Nuhu, an international gaming industry expert, also provided commentary on the new platform, highlighting the significance of Rostelecom's entry into the international gaming market.
The platform is a proprietary development of Rostelecom, developed independently by the company's developers without the involvement of external studios or contractors. This independent development demonstrates the potential of domestic developers in the international gaming industry.
Regarding availability, the platform is currently active and selling game keys and digital currency, but no specific exclusive subscriber benefits or special offers have been detailed in the reported sources. It's worth noting that this is Rostelecom's third attempt to establish itself in the digital game store market, following previous ventures in 2015 and 2019.
Rostelecom is also developing a new digital game store optimised for the Aurora OS and focused on Russian titles, currently being tested on tablets. However, this appears to be a distinct project from the gaming key platform and no specific subscriber promotions are detailed for it.
In conclusion, Rostelecom’s gaming platform offers a diverse collection of games, including titles unavailable on Steam in Russia, and provides a platform for domestic developers to showcase their talents in the international gaming industry. While the prices for some digital currency and store top-up cards are high, the platform's vast game catalogue and commitment to regular updates make it an attractive option for gamers in Russia.
- I wonder if this new gaming platform from Rostelecom also offers keys for popular technology gadgets like game controllers or VR devices, similar to what they've done with Steam and console titles.
- The entry of Russian telecommunications giant Rostelecom into the global gaming industry with their technology-driven platform is a significant stride, showcasing the potential of domestic developers to create and sell not only games but also related gadgets and accessories.
