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August 1, 2011

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Police added to addiction battle

FROM October, online game firms must send details of players' identities to police in a move which marks the official start of a national online game anti-addiction drive covering 300 million players in China.

The game industry regulator made the announcement during Chinajoy, the digital entertainment expo which ended in Shanghai yesterday.

The system, which limits experiences and items obtained after several consecutive hours playing for younger players, is designed to prevent them from becoming addicted to games.

"Every game firm should do the identity register and make authentication with the public security system," the General Administration of Press and Publication said.

GAPP is one of eight departments which will regulate the system, along with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Public Security.

Some 300 million game players in China are already required to register their identity before playing games.

The latest move, involving the police, is designed to detect players who get round the requirement by using false identity information.

When the system is installed, teenager players will get only half their game experience points after three hours' consecutive play and lose points or virtual weapons after five hours.

Addiction to game playing, especially by students, is a major concern for teachers and parents who say it affects their health and interferes with their studies.

On the other hand, the online games industry is an important sector with annual revenue of more than 30 billion yuan (US$4.6 billion) and a 30 percent annual growth rate.

But the policy still has loopholes. It won't cover mobile games and can't detect children who register with real adult identities, such as those of their parents.


 

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