China Plans Crackdown on “Undesirable” Online Game Elements
By Shawn on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008 at 3:38 PM PST In Computer, Game Companies, Game Platforms, Gamer Life, Games
The Chinese government is planning a major crackdown of online games with “undesirable” elements. Although it’s not clear what the government plans to do about it, the reasons for the action are.
China fears Internet addiction is growing as the number of online subscription players soars. There have been several documented deaths of obsessive players expiring from fatigue after marathon gaming sessions at the popular “net bars” or internet cafes. Videogames are also blamed for the rise of violence among Chinese Youth.
“Although China’s online gaming industry had been hot in recent years, online games are regarded by many as a sort of spiritual opium and the whole industry is marginalized by mainstream society,” Thursday’s China Daily quoted Kou Xiaowei, a senior official with the General Administration of Press and Publication, as saying.
“If we don’t make adjustments, the industry will suffer sooner or later,” Kou said.
Videogames are more than entertainment, they’re a form of escapism. In my opinion, the problems seen in China that have been blamed on videogames are symptomatic of greater societal problems. Take away videogames and the people will find a substitute. They can ban the games and close down all the illegal net bars they want, but it won’t change their problems. They’ll just have to find another scapegoat to blame.
via Reuters
This might be easy to right off as “hey stop blaming our precious video games!” but people are dying. And it seems they are talking about MMORPGs in general with their carrot-on-a-stick design. Maybe their government will penalize companies that design their games this way (which is a good thing!) Have you ever played a asian MMO? They are grind fests. I do remember that WoW china players have their game time restricted on their accounts (tho chinese players can easily just play on korean or taiwanese servers). Maybe they’ll take a education approach. “Just say No to 5 day marathon gaming sessions.”