Under-18s In China Face Restricted Gaming Time
The Chinese government has taken strong measures to address criticisms about the level of video game addiction present in its population. While most politicians here are focusing on violence and the blurring of virtual(ity), Chinese children under the age of 18 have come under the watchful eye of the powers that be.
Internet game distributors and providers have been ordered to install anti-addiction software into their titles within a four month time window, or face sanctions and closure by order of the Chinese government. The software, which restricts sessions to 3 hours per day, is aimed at addressing concerns over the country’s youth. After the three hours are up, the “anti-online gaming addiction system” starts hitting gamers where it hurts the most: in-game. During the allowed time, players get full points or credits in game, but in the 2 hours following that, games will yield only half the normal points and no points (and a health warning message) will be awarded after 5 hours.
Underage gamers will also be required to register with the game providers using their real name and only be granted access to accounts if this information, as well as their confirmatory Chinese identity card numbers, are provided.
People’s Daily Online via Slashdot
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POSTED IN: MMORPG, News, Online Gaming
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