China’s General Administration of Press and Publication is to be stricter on online games from other cultures, it emerged today.
A report on JLM Pacific Epoch states that the GAPP will look at the approval criteria of online games to ensure that the gaming youth of China is not overly exposed to foreign cultures, especially in the case of highly popular games such as Blizzard’s World of Warcraft.
GAPP will be holding a meeting with Online game companies to discuss the new policies and the fatigue system, which is a mechanic that prevents players from spending too much time playing computer games in China. After three hours of online play, gamers will earn half experience points, then after a further 2 hours no experience will be earned at all. This system was introduced in October 2005, but only applies to youths under 18.
In addition to tighter rules on imported games, GAPP will be supporting an overseas road show to promote Chinese games and culture abroad.This follows news of the recent troubles WoW’s operators in China, The9, have had with getting the game’s latest expansion, Wrath of the Lich King, approved there.
