A new investment fund to support video game developers may be created in Russia. According to "Kommersant", Mikhail Akulov, CEO of Hobby World, and Vladimir Varenik, managing partner of Indie Go Start, became co-founders of OOO UK IGF with 50% stakes each.
According to sources in the gaming market, the new structure may focus on financing AA and AAA class PC and console games — that is, projects with medium and high budgets. The company's documents list financial services, computer game publishing, and software development among its activities.
Details of the project have not yet been disclosed. Varenik stated that the initiative is still being worked out with partners, while Hobby World did not provide a comment.
The idea emerges against the backdrop of growth in the Russian gaming market. According to the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, its volume in 2025 was 208 billion rubles, and by 2030, it could grow to 271 billion rubles. PC and console games are expected to make the main contribution.
Currently, support for developers is mainly provided by the Internet Development Institute. Also, in 2024, Rostelecom, together with Indie Go, launched a fund for indie developers, and VK previously considered investments in game studios.
Market participants assess the prospects cautiously: after the departure of major investors, not many private funds have appeared in Russia, and there are few strong large studios. Therefore, the main problem may not be the availability of money, but the search for teams and projects that are truly worth investing in.