Russian government in talks to develop "patriotic" games - report

The Russian government is negotiating the development of "patriotic" video games, and is considering a ban on internationally-produced titles which "distort history".

According to The Hollywood Reporter, an aide to Russia's culture minister Vladimir Medinsky discussed the government's plans with daily newspaper Izvestiya.

"The main thing we expect from the producers of video games is the realistic and historically truthful representation of events," Arseny Mironov said.

"A video game has to have not only an entertainment value, but it also has to teach and be conducive to patriotic education."

Medinsky is head of the Russian Military History Society, which will be put in charge of the Russian government's video game project. The first game will be about the first Russian warplanes in World War I, and is expected in 2014. A developer has not been chosen but several local teams have been included in talks.

The government also plans to introduce grants for "patriotic" video games.

Meanwhile, internationally-produced games which "discredit the Russian soldier" and "distort historic facts" may be banned from import.

The report noted Company of Heroes 2 and Belgian indie You Don't Mess With Putin as examples of games that wouldn't be allowed.

As detailed on Polygon, Company of Heroes 2 was poorly-received by many Russian players, who described its depiction of Russian history as offensively inaccurate and stereotyped. Russian distributor 1C stopped selling the game as a result.

Thanks, Polygon.