Russian video game players are facing growing difficulties accessing and paying for domestic and foreign gaming services as a result of telecoms regulator Roskomnadzor's crackdown on connectivity, National News Service (NSN) reported on April 21.

Mikhail Pimenov, head of PR and media communications at Geltek Cyber Team, told NSN that restrictions on connectivity were narrowing the ability of gamers to connect to Russian and foreign products and to pay for them.

The anti-piracy system Denuvo and Roskomnadzor's campaign against tools used to bypass blocks have caused problems for licensed purchasers of the retro-futuristic shooter Atomic Heart.

Users have faced difficulties launching the game. VK Play support said the issues could have emerged from connection blocks initiated by internet providers, Pimenov confirmed.

"There is nothing surprising in the fact that all games that operate through foreign launchers have run into problems. Because of the blocks, a great deal has become inaccessible, even Russian services.

We have repeatedly encountered difficulties. As long as active blocking continues, this will continue across all segments," Pimenov said.

"This is not only about games, but everything connected to the banking system, small business, online payment systems on any services. The restrictions affect everyone.

There have long been mass difficulties with paying for games on consoles and via the Steam service. Russian players have become used to buying them not directly but through third-party services. It is unclear whether they will still be able to do this going forward," he added.

Roskomnadzor has stepped up enforcement against circumvention tools over recent months, with commentator Anatoly Wasserman having called for the regulator to be restricted or abolished.

The gaming sector has been among the businesses most exposed to Russia's increasing digital isolation since 2022, with Steam, the PlayStation Store and Xbox storefronts all limiting Russian payment and purchase options. Atomic Heart, developed by Russia-founded studio Mundfish, has been one of the country's highest-profile gaming exports in recent years and its launch problems highlight the compounding pressure on the domestic industry.