I came across a statement from Putin expressing the ambition to launch a Russian gaming console by the end of 2026, backed by a budget of around 220 million euros or 240 million dollars. Ignoring the political implications and focusing solely on the feasibility, do you think they could pull this off in two years if they were based in the US, EU, or China?
4 Answers
If they outsource production to a Taiwanese manufacturer, they're likely to hit their goals. But if they try to build everything in-house, navigating that expertise will be tough. Plus, even if they release the console by 2026, game development typically takes a couple of years. People will need time to produce quality titles, so they'd need to start on game development right away.
I doubt they could create a competitive console. Developing one is a major undertaking, and getting enough games to support it is even harder. That could make the costs explode.
I think it's possible. Look at the Steam Deck; it's essentially a PC in a console case. If they can scale that up, they could definitely get something on the market. The idea isn't too far-fetched!
Honestly, it really depends on how they approach it. A recent report indicated that Sony invested about 2.13 billion dollars in R&D for their consoles, which is quite hefty. For example, manufacturing a PS4 cost them around 330 dollars, selling at about 399, leaving little profit. If Russia aims to create something new, they could either start from scratch or repurpose existing tech. Costs for components might inflate due to tariffs too, particularly if they’re importing from places like Taiwan. So, yes, 200 million could go a long way if they manage their money wisely and partner with countries like China.
They're aiming to use a new Russian processor that hasn't even been fully developed yet. That brings a lot of uncertainty about timing and performance!