China tightens rules on online gaming, bans pop-up ads

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    Date: 
    23 June 2010

    To curb online gaming addiction, China’s Ministry of Culture (MOC) has imposed stringent rules, effective August 1, 2010, to be applicable to all China-based and foreign multiplayer role-playing games along with social networking games.

    In view of growing online game players in China which as of April 2010, stood at 105 million, China has stipulated compulsory registration of real names with valid identification proofs for those taking part in the online gaming competitions.

    The regulation makes it mandatory for the online gaming companies to put in place a self-censorship mechanism to confirm the legality of the content and their operations. The ministry also laid down procedures for the online game regulators in screening the games.

    The regulation has restrained minors from getting addicted to playing online games, besides curbing offers of inappropriate games to them by gaming companies. Besides, the regulation restricts minors from dealing with virtual currency.