New system to curb online game addiction
- Beijing
CHINA has introduced an \"anti-online game addiction system\"
intended to prevent players from spending too much time in front of their
computers.
The system, which will encourage players to play less by cutting the benefits
they gain in online games, is to be implemented by local Internet companies
that have signed a code of conduct drawn up by China\'s press and publications
administration.
The move reflects fears about the social impact of popular \"multi-player
online role-playing games\" which have been blamed for encouraging sloth,
truancy and even murder.
An estimated 25 million Chinese play online roleplaying games.
These allow players to interact as characters ranging from warrior heroes to
powerful magicians in vast virtual environments.
However, newspapers have highlighted reports that many players are addicted to
the games.
Under the new guidelines which kick in next year, up to three hours of play is
considered \"healthy\" and more than five hours
\"unhealthy\".
The anti-addition system cuts in-game benefits to players after three hours.
For most games, this will mean awarding fewer \"experience points\"
to fantasy characters and reducing the value of virtual goods such as magic
weapons that they acquire.
After five hours online, players will be subjected every 15 minutes to the
warning: \"You have entered unhealthy game time, please go offline
immediately to rest. \"If you do not, your health will be damaged and the
benefits you can win will be cut to zero\"
Leading games companies have agreed to the system to head off threat of
stricter regulation.
China\'s online games market is expected to grow 65 percent to US$633 million
(S$1 billion) this year and will be the worlds largest by 2006, according to
investment bank CSFB.
FINANCIAL TIMES
THE STRAITS TIMES - THURSDAY - AUGUST 25, 2005