Russian Gamers Downloaded $3.5 Billion Worth of Pirated Games in 2023
According to a report by Vedomosti, citing Emma Yusova, Chief Operating Officer of the online educational platform XYZ School, Russian gamers downloaded unlicensed games worth 324 billion rubles (about $3.5 billion) in 2023. Last year, around 73% of gamers played at least one pirated copy of a game, up from 68% in 2022. About 8% played more than 10 unlicensed games.
Most Popular Pirated Games
The most popular titles in the gray market segment were Atomic Heart, Hogwarts Legacy, and Baldur’s Gate 3. More than 84% of those who pirated games downloaded at least one of these titles.
Impact on the Gaming Industry
Last year, many gamers tested pirated copies before potentially purchasing the official versions. As a result, the actual financial loss to the industry may be somewhat lower, but the exact figure is impossible to determine.
Reasons for the Rise in Piracy
The increase in piracy is attributed to the widespread withdrawal of global platforms and developers from the Russian market, explained Gadzhi Makhtiev, owner of the video game portals Kanobu and Igromania.