According to Statista, in 2019, global e-sports revenues amounted to 957.5 million U.S. dollars, a figure that is expected to exceed 1.6 billion by 2024. The easy accessibility of e-sports will undoubtedbly attract an increasing number of audiences in the coming years. In 2019, the number of e-sports enthusiasts and occasional viewers was just under 400 million. At the current growth rate, by 2024, there are expected to be over 285 million frequent viewers of e-sports worldwide, and approximately 291.6 million occasional viewers.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the justification of military aggression became a very important goal of Russian propaganda. Just like any other sphere of life, e-sports was an area where the Russian government tried to infiltrate.
This is clear by the Kremlin intentions to develop computer games and e-sports at the state level. Russia's President Vladimir Putin said: "Video games should be at the intersection of art and education."
"A game should help a person develop and help discover who they are. It should help educate a person both within the framework of universal human values and within the framework of patriotism," Putin highlighted.
It is not difficult to decypher that somewhere among these "universal human values" and "correct patriotism" lines, the imperialist-militant rhetoric of the Russian regime can creep in. However, even if Moscow were not interfere in the activities of the computer industry, the Russian gaming community will indirectly continue to spread certain propaganda narratives.
According to the report "The state of student e-sports in higher educational institutions of the Russian Federation" of the High School of Economics e-sportsmen are determined as "public opinion leaders and a source of national pride who can help with spreading patriotic values among young people". It shows that e-sports is more than just entertainment or a type of sport for Russians but one method for achieving the propaganda's agenda.
E-sports are used to spread Russian propaganda among young people, particularly men. According to a Deloitte study, 63% of the e-sports audience worldwide are young men. In the future, they may become the main source for the Russian army. The Russian E-sports Federation (RESF) floated a controversial initiative that blurs the line between competitive gaming and military service. RESF Chairman Dmitry Smit, in an interview with Russian news agency TASS, revealed plans to not only seek deferments for e-sports players but also to create specialized military units specifically for them. Smith argues that the fine motor skills and object control abilities developed through e-sports can be easily adapted to operating modern military technology, particularly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
"You can put a Dota player [in these units] and he will learn very easily and quickly,"Smith claimed, suggesting that gamers' skills are directly transferable to drone warfare.
This proposal, which includes the concept of special military units, or sports companies where e-sports players can serve while continuing to compete, raises significant concerns about the militarization of civilian activities and the potential exploitation of young gamers' skills for military purposes. The initiative reflects a growing trend among Russian officials seeking to leverage civilian gaming expertise for military applications, prompting critical discussions about the ethical implications of such crossovers between entertainment and warfare.
Russia is interested in developing e-sports internally. They're willing to cut ties with e-sports IP holders so that e-sports tournaments could be operated in the country without needing to require permission or get a direct licensing agreement with IP owners such as Riot Games, Activision Blizzard, Ubisoft, Epic Games, and other Western and European game makers. The legislation is most likely intended to assist the Russian government in facilitating e-sports while avoiding international sanctions imposed as a result of the ongoing war with Ukraine.
Such a step helps to popularize e-sports among the population and creates a strong community where Russian propaganda can be more effective. The more popular and prestigious the community becomes, the more interested people will be in these activities. It also makes it easier to hold international e-sports tournaments. For such needs, they will use the most popular games in the world. Holding e-sports tournament provides an outlet for the young global influencers and top e-sports bloggers. All these would be used to represent Russia as a "cool" country
And so, with this track already in the works Russia has opened its first state-funded e-sports center, with all classes free of charge. Gamers will be taught Dota 2, CS2 and piloting FPV drones at the center. Alexander Beglov, the governor of St. Petersburg, announced in his speech at the center's opening. The center is expected to serve asa pilot project for the introduction of e-sports at the state level, with a focus on Russia's crown jewels in gaming: Dota 2 and Counter-Strike.
In an article from one of the Russian mass medias, one of the experts, Alexander Gorbachenko, the former head of the e-sports Federation of Moscow, no longer hides the reasons why the Russian state has recently paid so much attention to e-sports: "E-sports and video games are a very effective tool of soft power and sports diplomacy in the international arena and a powerful means of consolidation and political mobilization of youth within the country. And the state leadership understands this well. No wonder, at the beginning of May, the President of Russia included the issue of the development of the video game industry in the foundations of state policy".
Nikolai Lishin, deputy head of the Information Systems Department at the Ministry of Defense, laid out the strategy at the "Army-2023" forum.
He highlighted two key aspects of using video games:
Skill development as games can help players make quick decisions based on complex information, a valuable skill in military situations.
Ideological influence as games can promote Russian history and values, countering the dominance of Western-made games.
The ministry has already taken steps in this direction. They've created a movement called "Cyberpatriot" to identify talented gamers. They've also developed "Sky-2024," a game that teaches drone piloting skills without combat elements.
Lishin emphasized the importance of creating games that make Russia feel like a "native space" for players. The initiative is not solely about recruiting but seen as a way to prepare citizens for potential military needs. Lishin cited a real-life example where Russian tank operators applied tactics learnt from the game "World of Tanks" in actual combat.
However, the ministry faces challenges. They're aware that heavy-handed info campaigns could turn youth away. Instead, they aim to create high-quality, entertaining games that subtly incorporate Russian values and history.
Interestingly, the Ministry of Defense isn't funding these projects directly. Instead, they're partnering with regions and tech companies that see value in supporting this initiative.
The ultimate goal? To show young people that the modern Russian military is high-tech and exciting, as opposed to old stereotypes of "boots and shovels." Through gaming events and exposure to military technology they hope to inspire more youth to consider military service as a rewarding career option.
As video games continue to shape how the young perceive the world, it's clear that the Russian military considers them a powerful tool for shaping the next generation of potential recruits.
The Russian government regularly holds cyber tournaments, such as RCL, or Games of the Future, during the weeks of e-sports round-table discussions and forums. Such activities are supported by the public appearance of Putin, celebrities, thought leaders, and representatives of foreign countries.
The Games of the Future were even advertised at the Russian government service «Gosuslugi».
It helps Russia's ability to maintain its authority in international e-sports as the support from the government is always honorable for any type of sport, especially such a young one. It indicates the goverment's interest in developing e-sports and promoting it among the population. Furthermore, it helps to develop international relations with other countries in spite of sanctions and international condemnation. As officials visit Russia, it could be used to instil Russian propaganda. After such activities, it has become possible for other countries to change their minds on the war and Russian aggression. It becomes increasingly important to explain to the rest of the world that Russians are merely trying to improve their image and pave the way for further aggression.
While Russia organizes e-sports activities, Russian e-sportsmen don't hesitate to show their support for their country`s aggression.
In April 2022, Russian team Virtus.pro was disqualified from the tournament due to the fact that its participant, Ivan (Pure) Moskalenko, painted the letter Z on his game map, which is one of the symbols of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Virtus.pro has a Ukrainian in their squad, Roman Resolut1on Fominok. He was born in Nikopol and he is a two-time finalist of the Dota 2 World Championship and a very famous e-sportsman. He was playing for Team Secret from Europe at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Then he left it for Virtus Pro. The team has repeatedly stated that it will never support Ukraine.
For Russian propaganda
, it is an excellent case for demonstrating that they're not enemies with Ukrainian people, but rather of the government, which is "Nazi and Fascist". It's an excellent opportunity to demonstrate their willingness to support teams that include Ukrainian players.
Such was the case when the largest international Dota2 e-sports tournament ended on October 29 with the victory of Team Spirit. The results of the competition were covered not only by e-sports media but also by odious characters of Russian agitprop. For example, Volodymyr Saldo, collaborator and "governor" of the temporarily occupied districts of the Kherson region. The team was also congratulated by a deputy of Russian parliament.
On the Russian state TV channel Russia 24, they showed a story about the victory of Team Spirit at BLAST Premier: Spring Final 2024. In the story, the presenter paid special attention to the fact that the Ukrainian Myroslav zont1x Plahotya plays in the team together with the Russians. "Our e-sportsmen beat the international NAVI team in the Counter-Strike 2 game with a score of 3-1, and I note that Ukrainian Myroslav Plahotya is among the members of Team Spirit."
These examples help Russians in maintaining the narrative of brotherhood between peoples, which has been a forced false narrative only beneficial to Russia for over 30 years. It is used to demonstrate a false willingness with the Ukrainian people, telling how they're ready to accept Ukrainians as friends. Unfortunately, many Ukrainian e-sports players continue to be unaware that they are working for Russian propaganda and the extent of the damage they are causing to Ukraine.
Russia also develops e-sports in occupied territories. They started to conduct e-Sports tournaments under the auspices of RESF. Teams that have proven themselves at the regional level will be able to compete at the all-Russian level with teams from different regions of Russia.
Conclusion
E-sports has grown significantly in popularity over the years, with millions of fans worldwide tuning in to watch their favorite players and teams compete.
Politics can have an impact on e-sports in several ways: government regulations, sponsorship and advertising, diplomatic relations, and social issues. It also can easily use this kind of sport in its own interests.
There is no single regulator of e-sports in the world or Europe, like FIFA and UEFA in football or the ITF in tennis. The rule of one organization won`t work at every tournament or country.
Another issue is a lack of understanding of the true situation between Russians and Ukrainians among e-sports athletes from all over the world. Why do Russian and Ukrainian e-sports players compete in tournaments if they are at war? It's a question that Ukrainians should explain to the entire e-sports community.
As a result, according to the famous e-sports commentator Vitalii "V1lat" Volochai: "In many countries of the world, e-sports is recognized as an official sport; there are federations, official competitions... The problem is that e-sports is a field of entertainment. It is called a sport because of its closest proximity to the competitive element." Therefore, the lack of regulation and dependence on companies for which video games are a business greatly complicate ways of countering Russian propaganda in e-sports.
Russia uses e-sports as a tool of propaganda and militarisation. The high level of state management organisation, enormous financial resources, and dissemination of propagandistic narratives give Russian e-sports power in confrontation against the Western world.
