Putin’s ‘Sovereign’ Gaming Console Plans Unveiled: One Features Elbrus CPU, Another Copies Chinese Design — Russian Government Acknowledges Inability to Rival PS5 or Xbox

When it comes to sovereign computing projects, they often end up in a tough spot—either struggling because resources are thin, or they veer off into the territory of being mere replicas, akin to the infamous Chinese knockoff approach, thus losing their sovereign status.

Enter Russia’s latest foray into this arena. Following an order from President Putin in the spring to craft a unique Russian gaming console, the industry seems to be pursuing a two-pronged strategy. On one side, they’re working on a console powered by a domestic Elbrus processor, as Habr.com highlights. This chip promises a unique architecture, though, according to benchmarks, it isn’t exactly a powerhouse, and many have labeled its performance as “completely unacceptable” for widespread use. On the other side of this effort is an intriguing alternative: creating a cloud gaming service using budget-friendly consumer hardware, something RBC has been discussing.

Russia’s console venture is built around the Elbrus processor, noted for its Very Long Instruction Word (VLIW) architecture, originally intended for complex, critical tasks. However, when it comes to gaming performance, it’s not even in the same league as modern consoles like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S. This shortfall has Russian officials pushing for creative approaches to navigate these performance barriers.

In his candid remarks, Anton Gorelkin, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, acknowledged the processor’s limitations. He urged developers to think outside the box, hoping they’ll deliver something truly innovative, emphasizing, “It’s obvious to everyone: Elbrus processors are not yet at the level required to compete equally with the PS5 and Xbox.” Consequently, the solution must be unconventional—perhaps by simplifying games so the Elbrus CPUs can manage them or employing cloud computing solutions. Of course, cloud solutions would require robust broadband connectivity with minimal latency for an optimal gaming experience.

Interestingly, Gorelkin highlighted that this console shouldn’t just be a portal for old games; it’s also an opportunity to spotlight Russian-developed titles.

As for cloud-based avenues, Russian gamers may find themselves drawn to a console by MTS, a leading telecommunications outfit in Russia. MTS isn’t keeping any secrets—its console is fully rooted in cloud technology, branded as the MTS Fog Play platform. This device pairs low-end hardware with an Xbox-style controller, pricing in at a mere $50. At such a price, it’s clear the console relies heavily on the MTS Fog Play service to handle gaming demands, enabling remote play and rentals that can tap into more formidable PC setups.

Neither of these console ventures has hit store shelves just yet, but rest assured, we’re keeping a sharp eye on developments and will dive into benchmarks once they become available.