Chinese regulators have announced a wide range of new rules aimed at restricting the use of video games. This was made clear by the National Press and Publications Administration.
According to the new rules, video game manufacturers will be prohibited from awarding prizes to players in the following cases: if they play every day; if they give money for the game for the first time or if they make consecutive purchases in the game. They will also not be allowed to offer random draws features to minors and allow auctions of virtual gaming items. In addition, manufacturers will impose limits on digital wallets for in-game spending.
The new rules included a proposal that is widely expected to be welcomed by the industry, requiring regulators to process game approvals within 60 days.
As the time passes by it shows that Beijing becomes firmer when it comes to videogames and their distribution. In 2021, China set strict playtime limits for under the age of 18 and suspended approvals of new video games for about eight months, citing gaming addiction concerns.