For certain Chinese gamers, it’s dangerously close to “game over”. If you’re under the age of 18 and enjoy video games, you can now only play for three hours every week.
China’s National Press and Publication Administration are tightening the controls on how much online gaming businesses are permitted to offer young customers. It is to combat video game addiction among minors, according to the country’s news agency Xinhua. Hence, video games are only allowed to be played for three hours per week in China.
Companies are prohibited from providing services to youngsters outside of a restricted window of time under the new regulations. According to the article, those under the age of 18 can only play online games on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It will be between the hours of 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. On national holidays, minors can also play video games at the same time.
Video games timings and transactions
According to Xinhua, the new laws also specify that companies must ensure that gamers sign-up using their real names. Also, they must ban those who do not use their true identity from logging on in any case. It is presumably to ensure compliance with the new limits.
It’s not the first time China has passed legislation restricting gaming among children and teenagers. in 2019, China imposed restrictions where minors could only play online games for 90 minutes a day. Also, they were not permitted to play at all between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Back then, real names and phone numbers were also a must
Minors’ monthly microtransaction spending was also set under the 2019 restrictions. The maximum amount set ranged from $28 to $57 depending on the child’s age. If you ask some, it’s not a bad idea. Microtransactions allow game developers to generate money even on free games by allowing or demanding in-game purchases. They are a popular source of frustration for gamers.