Russia’s propaganda is spreading all over the world’s video games, provoking discussion about Russia’s position in the Russian-Ukraine war.
Games with lots of Russian players and adjacent discussion sites have become increasingly occupied by Russian agitators, becoming online platforms for them to provide propaganda for mostly young audiences. The Kremlin has capitalized on this to try to argue in favor of the war in Ukraine.
According to Tanya Bekker, a researcher at a cybersecurity company named ActiveFence whose work is to detect Russian propaganda on Minecraft for The New York Times, “The gaming world is really a platform that can impact public opinion, to reach an audience, especially young populations.”
According to Brad Smith, Microsoft’s president, Microsoft has advised governments about the recent Russian efforts to “penetrate some of these gaming communities”, though he downplayed their significance. Microsoft refused to reveal its executives’ comments or to respond to questions about Russia in detail, except in providing an official statement that the company reviews content that violates its community standards.
After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, following the United States’ and Europe’s sanctions on Russia, Microsoft announced that it would stop selling products and services to Russia. However, it is not clear yet if Microsoft or other companies have done anything to cut ties with Russian viewers.
Although restrictions were set on Russia, Russians continue looking for ways to use its games and sites to reach more audiences. Most examples are in Russian which suggests that the target audiences are Russian or Russian speakers, including Ukrainians.
Despite part of the material reflecting the views of ordinary Russians, some suggested government involvement. The Kremlin’s interference in video games shows how Mr. Putin’s government persists to support its political objectives through Western social media and consumer products even despite diplomatic and economic ostracism.
Viewing games as a potential tool for the government to inculcate values in the audience, Mr. Putin emphasized the Kremlin was interested in the gaming industry and called it “a colossal business”. According to a deputy prime minister who spoke at the same meeting, one-fourth of Russians play games online.
“Games should be at the intersection of art and education.” Mr. Putin said in remarks in the Kremlin. “A game should help a person develop, help him find himself, should help educate a person both within the framework of universal human values and within the framework of patriotism.”
Source:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/30/technology/russia-propaganda-video-games.html
Games with lots of Russian players and adjacent discussion sites have become increasingly occupied by Russian agitators, becoming online platforms for them to provide propaganda for mostly young audiences. The Kremlin has capitalized on this to try to argue in favor of the war in Ukraine.
According to Tanya Bekker, a researcher at a cybersecurity company named ActiveFence whose work is to detect Russian propaganda on Minecraft for The New York Times, “The gaming world is really a platform that can impact public opinion, to reach an audience, especially young populations.”
According to Brad Smith, Microsoft’s president, Microsoft has advised governments about the recent Russian efforts to “penetrate some of these gaming communities”, though he downplayed their significance. Microsoft refused to reveal its executives’ comments or to respond to questions about Russia in detail, except in providing an official statement that the company reviews content that violates its community standards.
After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, following the United States’ and Europe’s sanctions on Russia, Microsoft announced that it would stop selling products and services to Russia. However, it is not clear yet if Microsoft or other companies have done anything to cut ties with Russian viewers.
Although restrictions were set on Russia, Russians continue looking for ways to use its games and sites to reach more audiences. Most examples are in Russian which suggests that the target audiences are Russian or Russian speakers, including Ukrainians.
Despite part of the material reflecting the views of ordinary Russians, some suggested government involvement. The Kremlin’s interference in video games shows how Mr. Putin’s government persists to support its political objectives through Western social media and consumer products even despite diplomatic and economic ostracism.
Viewing games as a potential tool for the government to inculcate values in the audience, Mr. Putin emphasized the Kremlin was interested in the gaming industry and called it “a colossal business”. According to a deputy prime minister who spoke at the same meeting, one-fourth of Russians play games online.
“Games should be at the intersection of art and education.” Mr. Putin said in remarks in the Kremlin. “A game should help a person develop, help him find himself, should help educate a person both within the framework of universal human values and within the framework of patriotism.”
Source:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/30/technology/russia-propaganda-video-games.html
