Singapore: Chinese authorities have approved dozens of new video games and state media outlets are touting the “cutting-edge technology” of the sector in early signs the government is easing its restrictions after a severe crackdown last year.
China banned children from playing video games for more than three hours a week last year in a world-first move designed to stop rising levels of video game addiction that was described as “spiritual opium” harming the physical and mental health of “the future of our motherland”.
China’s video game rules only allow gaming platforms to offer services to minors from 8pm to 9pm on Fridays, weekends and public holidays. Credit:iStock
But that restriction, which required children to log in with their identification, has come under pressure as kids circumvent the ban by accessing games through their parent’s phones, computers or tablets.
Sun, a mum of two girls who asked only to be identified by her last name because the issue is politically sensitive in China, said she was not aware of the restrictions on gaming time despite them being introduced in August.
Sun said her 14-year-old and 11-year-old played games throughout the week.
“Due to my work schedule, I can only spare very little time on caring for and accompanying my kids,” she said.
“Playing video games is not all that bad as it provides an alternative approach of venting emotion or another way for them to perceive the world.”
China’s National Press and Publication Administration approved 87 new domestic games for licences on February 10, including from tech giants ByteDance, Tencent and NetEase, the highest number since approvals were frozen for more than six months last year. January also had more than 80 games approved according to data from the regulator.
There are more than 700 million gamers in China fuelling a $66 billion domestic market.
Sun said she supported tighter regulations to help children become more active but was not overly concerned by the sudden jump in approvals.
“The economy and market need new growth points, which will lead to the overall development of the video industry,” she said.
“And as this generation of children has grown up in such an immersive world, China’s social development must go through this stage. So, it is not always a bad thing to develop video games.”
Last week, a video of a boy threatening his father with a meat cleaver went viral in China. The boy from Guangxi province had been banned from playing video games on his mobile.
The incident raised concerns that game addiction and the ban had sparked violence, just weeks after the government-linked gaming industry association claimed the restrictions had effectively reduced addiction among children.
On Sunday, Chinese state media outlet Xinhua published an opinion piece that defended the video game industry. In an unusual shift from the public direction of overall government policy, Xinhua said, “the game industry has been inseparable from cutting-edge technology since its birth”.
Xinhua said game development had fuelled innovation in high-tech sectors like semiconductors, electric vehicles, design and smart cities.
“Games have become incubators for tech talent,” it said. “Relevant departments and practitioners may be able to further face up to the technological value of games, seize the layout of the next-generation internet, and continuously enhance China’s influence in international competition.”
In an indication that the government is exerting greater levels of cultural control over some of its largest companies in exchange for further concessions, Tencent – the world’s most valuable video game producer – pledged last week that it would promote Chinese culture and uphold its social values.
“With the strong support of national policies and regulators, the gaming industry will surely provide broader value in more fields,” said Tencent Interactive Entertainment Group vice president Zhang Wei.
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