I used to think my parents were strict with gaming – that is, until I saw the new restrictions from the Chinese government, which place significant limits on the amount of time kids can spend in online games.
The South China Morning Post reports that new anti-addiction measures have been outlined by The State Administration of Press and Publications (China’s gaming regulator), including limits on spending and playtime in online games. Those under the age of 18 will now be limited to one and a half hours of play per day (except on holidays, when they can play for three hours), which must take place between the hours of 8am and 10pm. Spending is being limited, too, with kids no longer allowed to spend more than RMB400 (£44.69) on in-game purchases per month, and players under eight restricted from purchasing anything at all.
And, of course, those too young to play the game under the age rating system will be blocked from access. As China currently has no formal age rating system, it’s still unclear whether the system used will be the same as the one adopted by Tencent (grouped into ages 6+, 12+, 16+ or 18+), but a brief by analyst firm Niko Partners adds this one is “the most robust age rating system in China to date” (via GamesIndustry.biz).
Source: Eurogamer China imposes online gaming curfews for kids to "prevent addiction"