Digital Transformation of Russian Video Game Media: Analysis of Key Online Platforms

Video games have established themselves as a key sociocultural phenomenon of the 21st century, which predetermined the formation of a specialized information field around them. This study is devoted to a comparative analysis of leading Russian online media specializing in video games. The aim of the study is to identify and analyze the similarities and differences between these platforms. To achieve this aim, the research involves reviewing the key stages of their development and determining the dominant thematic framework of their materials. The paper also focuses on the origins and significant milestones in the development of game journalism in Russia. Key findings include the systematization of the main thematic vectors characterizing the Russian gaming media landscape and the formation of a generalized portrait of the target audience. The dynamics of the game industry’s development, the specifics of adapting global trends within the Russian media environment, and persistent patterns of gaming content consumption confirm the high relevance and significant potential for further interdisciplinary researches in this field.