Tencent and NetEase Bow to China ‘Game Time Limit’ Regulations

It’s been announced that Chinese authorities are reinstating restrictions on video game playtime nationwide as the winter school vacation nears. This period, which spans from January 15 to February 14, is a much-needed break for millions of students – however, their gaming hours have been reduced by the government during this time.

It’s been made official that global gaming giants Tencent and NetEase have agreed to follow the new regulations. During the upcoming one-month break, children will only be allowed to play video games for a total of 16 hours.

Setting the Terms

As a passionate gamer, I recently stumbled upon some intriguing insights about gaming regulations from an article in The Star, which had earlier been reported by the South China Morning Post. It appears that game publishers are taking significant steps to control access to their games, according to what’s outlined in these detailed regulations.

Tencent has settled on a plan that allows individuals below the age of 18 to play for no more than 15 hours from January 13 to February 13. Conversely, NetEase, the well-known gaming company responsible for Marvel Rivals launch, will grant 16 hours within the same timeframe.

On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, one hour of gaming will be permitted daily, a rule introduced by regulators back in 2021 due to worries about excessive screen time for youth, particularly with gaming consoles.

As a dedicated gamer, I’m glad to be part of an industry where over 200 gaming companies, including myself, have taken a commitment to abide by the established regulations.

It may seem unusual considering China’s status as a major global consumer of video games, but last year, they launched one of the most successful games in recent times, Black Myth: Wukong, which has been performing exceptionally well.

In a scary quote taken from The Star’s report, it was written:

As an enthusiast, I’m excited to share that I’ve taken steps to enhance my vigilance in the coming festive season. I’ll be more diligent in identifying and dealing with any rule-breakers to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone!

Additionally, it has established a ‘cautious user database’ for potential accounts that might be used by minors. This system uses facial recognition technology to authenticate users when necessary.

It’s worth stressing that anyone over the age of 18 is free to play as many games as they want.

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2025-01-14 10:47