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Arts/Culture
Sep 2, 2021

New e-gaming rules enforce in China

FA News Desk
Image Credits: VCG / Getty Images
Image Credits: VCG / Getty Images

The new rules, set by the Chinese government’s National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA), took effect from Wednesday September 1st.

As per the Xinhua quoting NAPA that game-playing would be only allowed between 8pm to 9pm. Chinese children and teenagers are barred from online gaming on school days, and limited to one hour a day on weekend and holiday evenings, under government rules issued Monday.

So, from September 1st, video game companies will have to restrict gaming time to three hours a week- from 8 PM to 9 PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Online gaming has been one of the most vibrant and profitable sectors of China’s internet industry, generating billions in revenue from players who pay to take part in online quests, wars and adventures.

The NPPA, on its website, said it is narrowing the limits at the behest of parents.

Because of the game, addicted children are seriously harming their normal study, life, and mental and physical health. The new rules also reflect the government’s intensifying push for companies to jettison what the Chinese Communist Party says are unhealthy influences, especially among teenagers and children.

It also instructed gaming companies to prevent children playing outside these times. Earlier this month a state media outlet branded online games “spiritual opium.”

The video game industry in mainland China currently is one of the major markets for the global industry, where more than half a billion people play video games.

Revenues from China make up around 25% of nearly US $100 billion video game industry as of 2018, and since 2015 has exceeded the contribution to the global market from the United States.

Because of its market size, China has been described as the “Games Industry Capital of the World” and is home to some of the largest video game companies.

China has also been a major factor in the growth of esports, both in player talent and in revenue.

China’s Ministry of Education in April ordered online gaming companies to ensure that minors could not play from 10 p.m. each school night.