We always feel obliged to pass comment on anything the Chinese government has to say about games. Though, despite our best efforts, they have yet to do us the honour of banning SPOnG in China. Today comes news of a crackdown on online gaming in everyone’s favourite Communist superstate.
We’d be the first to admit that Western online gamers can sometimes be accused of taking their hobby a little too seriously. But if reports of neglected baby deaths, suicides and level point-related murder and extortion are anything to go by, their Eastern counterparts are even more keen on their pastime.
Online gaming has grown hugely in the past few years, with an estimated 20 million gamers now involved. The Chinese ministries have now spoken out about their concerns that the “...unhealthy content in online games has led to a series of social problems and currently threatens both the physical and psychological health of adolescents”, going as far as to say that said content could even pose “a threat to national security”.
One of their solutions is restricting the playing of any games involving killing your opponent to over 18s. Players of such games will also have to submit their real names and security numbers when they register.
China is also a little miffed - dare we suggest, largely miffed - that the most popular online games originate from South Korea and the USA. The plan is to work out some packages of incentives and subsidies to encourage the growth of Chinese development studios prepared to make games based on traditional Chinese material. It’s not been disclosed whether killing in a suitably Chinese manner would be frowned upon in the same manner as filthy, Westernised, capitalist-inspired death.
As always, please post any thoughts in the forum below.
We’d be the first to admit that Western online gamers can sometimes be accused of taking their hobby a little too seriously. But if reports of neglected baby deaths, suicides and level point-related murder and extortion are anything to go by, their Eastern counterparts are even more keen on their pastime.
Online gaming has grown hugely in the past few years, with an estimated 20 million gamers now involved. The Chinese ministries have now spoken out about their concerns that the “...unhealthy content in online games has led to a series of social problems and currently threatens both the physical and psychological health of adolescents”, going as far as to say that said content could even pose “a threat to national security”.
One of their solutions is restricting the playing of any games involving killing your opponent to over 18s. Players of such games will also have to submit their real names and security numbers when they register.
China is also a little miffed - dare we suggest, largely miffed - that the most popular online games originate from South Korea and the USA. The plan is to work out some packages of incentives and subsidies to encourage the growth of Chinese development studios prepared to make games based on traditional Chinese material. It’s not been disclosed whether killing in a suitably Chinese manner would be frowned upon in the same manner as filthy, Westernised, capitalist-inspired death.
As always, please post any thoughts in the forum below.
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Comments
mrreset 4 Aug 2005 14:08
1/3
y do all western websites think its funny saying crap about the chinese? 1 thing thats definately a fact. britain is bitter... argentina bla bla bla, germany bla bla bla spong sucks bla bla bla
and 4 the record you wise ass, china is not miffed at the most popular titles originating from outside china, all china wants is to invest into itself, it makes sense, with so many online players residing in its own country, china has seen sense and is investing 1.5 billion into online game development. they deserve a beer, not spitefull comments from an unwittingly retarded p***k
and 4 the record you wise ass, china is not miffed at the most popular titles originating from outside china, all china wants is to invest into itself, it makes sense, with so many online players residing in its own country, china has seen sense and is investing 1.5 billion into online game development. they deserve a beer, not spitefull comments from an unwittingly retarded p***k
config 4 Aug 2005 14:13
2/3
Nothing to do with the CN government wanting to control medium then?
Joji 4 Aug 2005 21:05
3/3
Mr Reset, I think you are getting defensive for the wrong reason, sir. Sure, every country has it's sabers to rattle seriously and in jest, we do it about our french and german cousins while the origins of our most famous royal family lay in those very nations. Taking the piss out of others close to you is called joking. Perhaps you should try it sometime.
I'm a believer that games should be a political free zone. A place where imagination and good creative gaming experiences can run free in the fields and play in the grass, drink the water etc. While the likes of Ghost Recon 2 and Conflict Desert Storm games tread a reality based line that's still up to the developer of said game because they have the freedom to create what they want to, without interferance from the state.
I'm all for encouraging chinese dvelopers to create their own games but when Blizzard have the likes of World of Warcraft just how will the chinese compete with that? What will their games be about to capture the interest of online gamers? How will they compete with City of Heroes, Lineage 2, Final Fantasy XI, Everquest, Matrix and Raganorok?
A shaolin temple online game would be cool, but it would have to be really good to attract. But what else is there apart from ancient chinese stuff to draw influence from when China despise foreign influences so much? Kind of leaves you with very little to shout about. I rest my case.
I'll give them a chance to prove me wrong, mind.
I'm a believer that games should be a political free zone. A place where imagination and good creative gaming experiences can run free in the fields and play in the grass, drink the water etc. While the likes of Ghost Recon 2 and Conflict Desert Storm games tread a reality based line that's still up to the developer of said game because they have the freedom to create what they want to, without interferance from the state.
I'm all for encouraging chinese dvelopers to create their own games but when Blizzard have the likes of World of Warcraft just how will the chinese compete with that? What will their games be about to capture the interest of online gamers? How will they compete with City of Heroes, Lineage 2, Final Fantasy XI, Everquest, Matrix and Raganorok?
A shaolin temple online game would be cool, but it would have to be really good to attract. But what else is there apart from ancient chinese stuff to draw influence from when China despise foreign influences so much? Kind of leaves you with very little to shout about. I rest my case.
I'll give them a chance to prove me wrong, mind.