NetEase and Tencent bow to China’s regulations limiting minors’ gaming time to address a national issue. The country has imposed a maximum of 16 hours of gaming over one month, coinciding with the Chinese New Year.
Recent discussions about China’s strict gaming policies have highlighted the government’s measures to control the time spent on gaming by its citizens. Data shows that Chinese players spend an average of 11.3 hours per week gaming, making them global leaders, while Spain ranks 8th. To address this, China’s government implemented a national “game time limit,” forcing companies like NetEase and Tencent to comply.
According to the South China Morning Post, these restrictions are temporary, running from January 15 to February 14, aimed at curbing screen time during school holidays. Millions of children will face reduced gaming hours as the government continues efforts to minimize video games’ impact on youth.
Chinese Minors Limited to 15 Hours of Gaming in a Month
Both Tencent and NetEase, two of the world’s largest gaming companies, have confirmed compliance with the new rules. Under these restrictions, minors under 18 are allowed a total of 16 gaming hours during the holiday period. Tencent announced that children could play for only 15 hours between January 13 and February 13, while NetEase permits 16 hours within the same timeframe.
Tencent has also implemented stricter measures to ensure adherence, including enhanced detection systems and a “risky account database” to track adults who allow minors access. Additionally, facial recognition technology is used to verify users’ ages, restricting gameplay for those under 18.
Initially introduced in 2021, these regulations allow minors to game only one hour per day on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. The goal is to combat excessive gaming among youth, a growing concern in recent years.
Despite China’s significant role in the global gaming market, the government remains firm in its control over the industry. Last year’s release of Black Myth: Wukong, a blockbuster game, demonstrates the sector’s strength while reflecting the challenge of balancing entertainment with societal concerns over youth welfare.
Source: 3djuegos
