Call of Duty, created by Activision Blizzard, is one of the most popular first-person shooter franchises in the world. However, its latest release, Black Ops 7, did not perform as well as expected and is being considered a disappointment by the franchise’s usual standards.
The series has always drawn inspiration from real-world conflicts but also explored fictional wars — past, present, and near future — often with a distinctly Western perspective.
Russia’s Plan for a Homegrown Shooter
Russia recognizes the global influence that Call of Duty holds and now aims to develop its own local alternative. The Russian government is reportedly offering a massive budget of $128 million, along with tax benefits and other incentives, to any domestic studio capable of creating a game that can compete with Call of Duty.
For Russia, such a project is not only about creating a profitable game but also about influence and image. A “Russian Call of Duty” could serve as a powerful propaganda tool — a way to tell war stories from their own perspective and promote a more patriotic narrative.
While the country’s gaming industry has grown in recent years, creating a game that can rival Call of Duty in production quality and global reach will be a major challenge.
In other news, high-ranking Russian officials and religious figures called for a ban on GTA 6 ahead of its release.
