Game companies face challenge of censorship
- Source: Global Times
- [08:35 July 30 2010]
- Comments
Authorities reiterate regulations for online games
By Liu Dong
The Shanghai branch of the State Administration of Culture Radio, Film and TV (SARFT) held a news conference on Wednesday to stress the new online game management regulations made by the Ministry of Culture, which come into effect from August 1.
According to the new regulations, all online game players are required to use their true names and ID card numbers when they register an account with an online game, while game operators are barred from letting users circumvent real-name registration.
The Shanghai branch of SARFT also stressed that all online game operators should clearly point out what age group games are suitable for on their websites and log-in screens.
The regulations also said that game operators must work with the government to supervise the management and transaction of virtual money used in games.
Li Jinxing, deputy director of the marketing department of the Shanghai branch of SARFT, told the Global Times Thursday that the intention of the new regulations was to protect the youth and regulate the online game market.
Online games generated a total revenue of 25.6 billion yuan ($3.78 billion) in China in 2009, and another 55.5 billion yuan ($8.19 billion) for related industries that same year, according to government statistics. The figures are expected to show a 30 percent increase in 2010.
