The III International Symposium "Inventing the Future" to showcase the latest achievements in Russian game development

On 13 November, a special project — the gaming lobby "The Rink of the Future" — will be held during the International Symposium "Inventing the Future" at the National Centre RUSSIA. It will immerse participants in the world of computer games, from technology to the meanings embedded within them. The packed programme will bring together young people, developers, and experts passionate about the growth of the game development industry in our country. Online registration is required to take part. The project's strategic partner is the VK Play gaming ecosystem, its esports partner is the COLIZEUM esports club network, and the co-organisers are Lesta Games and the REACTOR game developers' community.

Participants of the gaming lobby "The Rink of the Future" will examine video games as an important cultural phenomenon and a vehicle of traditional values, discuss trends in the domestic computer games industry, evaluate new releases, and hold test drives. The main stage will host demonstrations of new developments, discussions on the trends and challenges of Russian game development, and hands-on game test drives. Developers will present their projects and show trailers. Audiences will see the latest games inspired by Slavic mythology, literature, and the traditions and culture of Russian regions.

Sergei Aleksashenko, Production Director at Game Art Pioneers, will speak about the "DISTORTION" project. Denis Kryukov, Head of Esports at Astrum Entertainment, will present the Warface shooter. Gleb Kadomtsev, Development Director at Game Art Pioneers, will showcase the case of the game "Tiny Bunny." Alexei Skrebtsov, Head of the Mobile Games Publishing Division at Astrum Entertainment, will give a presentation on the mobile games "World of Domovyata" and "Alyonka's Stories." Alexander Gorbachenko, Director General of Foxhound Studio, will introduce the game "Off-Road Commanders."

Among the programme's experts are esports player, analyst, commentator, and streamer of the "World of Tanks" game Roman DemaKput; Candidate of Philosophical Sciences and Associate Professor at the Department of Philosophy of Natural Sciences at Moscow State University Stanislav Zharinov; Russian neuroscientist, physician, and science populariser Vladimir Alipov; and others.

The main stage will also serve as a space for dialogue with bloggers and leaders of the entertainment, content, and gaming blogging industries. Open discussions will be devoted to the psychology of games and the impact of gamification on the future of humanity, the competitiveness of Russian developers and the entry of domestic studios into international markets, and the prospects for the industry's development. Speakers will include VK Play Director General Alexander Mikheyev, Alexander Yegorov (VK Play Indie), Boris Sinitsky (World of Tanks), and many others.

One of the key events will be the recording of the open podcast "Our Game. The Russian Industry and Its Place in the Global Context" broadcast live, featuring an expert who will share their view on the scale and significance of Russian game development and the industry's connection to cultural and educational contexts. Audience members will be able to ask questions from the floor.

The technological heart of the gaming lobby "The Rink of the Future" will be an open space where anyone can get hands-on experience with the latest developments in video games. A dedicated gaming computer zone, fully equipped with everything necessary, has been arranged for this purpose.

The final gaming event of the interactive programme will be a team tournament in the "World of Tanks" game, which will become the epicentre of a dynamic esports showdown. Participants will compete for victory and cash prizes. The gameplay will be broadcast on a large screen, and spectators will be able to watch the battle. A separate online registration is required to take part in the tournament. The co-organiser of the tournament is the "World of Tanks" game.

A lounge space with a retro arcade zone will be set up for relaxation after discussions and active gaming. Here, visitors will be able to play on Soviet arcade machines and their modern replicas.

The III International Symposium "Inventing the Future" will take place on 12–13 November 2026 at the National Centre RUSSIA. The event, organised on the instructions of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, will bring together government officials, scientists and researchers, heads of corporations and business alliances, representatives of creative industries and public organisations, as well as young specialists from around the world. This year, the programme places emphasis on networking, as well as on expanding creative and youth formats.