China new gamming regulation - will impact GW (and wow)

EternalTempest

EternalTempest

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

United States

Dark Side Ofthe Moon [DSM]

E/

This is a very interesting and will affect GuildWars if it wants to operate in China

Source: http://english.people.com.cn/200704/...10_364977.html

Summary from Slashdot
http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl...49210&from=rss
Quote:
"The Chinese govt is requiring game houses to modify MMOG's to restrict under 18 users to 3 hours "productive" gameplay per day. This "anti-addiction" software must be in place within 4 months, with games not compliant by July 15 liable to be shut down in China. Net9, Shanda and NetEase will be moving to comply with the government regulations. Users will have to register with their real names and Chinese identity card numbers to be allowed access to the games."
Now like all things tech, there's way around it. And I do know Anet/NCsoft has paid to play model of GW in some Asian countries so I do see them being able to implement this.

I do find this news very interesting, especially since GW is opening up to China.

If a game means to market china age < 18... the game design can't be a 3+ hour grind for 1 objective in a game.

Interesting to see a country implement anti-gaming laws to prevent excessive gaming.

Lonesamurai

Lonesamurai

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2006

Cheltenham, Glos, UK

Wolf Pack Samurai [WPS]

R/A

look rather amusing to me... its a good idea in theory, however i can't see how they can legitimatly police this... Gamers will, as mentioned above, find ways round this

EternalTempest

EternalTempest

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

United States

Dark Side Ofthe Moon [DSM]

E/

At the minimum... it will force game companies to implement an internal system / registration and denial if they want to operate "legitimately" in china.

I don't think the gaming industry can bully the government from reversing this by the "we will pull out / leave you dry" because the industry is not big enough to push it's weight yet.

I don't think it will stop the gold farming by any shot... but it will make gold farmers / shops in china cost more to make money (more accounts) so it can be some squeeze on them.

Lydz

Lydz

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jun 2006

Cape Town, South Africa

The Crazy Dragons [TCD]

E/Mo

I find this hilarious. What has it got to do with them whether you want to play games or not?

EatMoreCarbs

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jul 2006

NJ, USA

Dragons Will Eat Your [Face]

R/Mo

You cant get anything done in 3 hours. lol, give them at least 6 hours. -_-

Viet Spirit

Viet Spirit

Banned

Join Date: Mar 2007

R/

similar regulation has already been in effect in my country, Vietnam, but apply to all players not only under 18 year ones. I don't remember for sure the details but something like this: first 3 hours logged in, you gain full experience; next 2 hours you only gain 50% of the experience and so on and its based on each day. So even if you log out and log back in, it's still counted as continious play.

Raiin Maker

Raiin Maker

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Oct 2005

England

Blood On The Worlds Hands

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Viet Spirit
similar regulation has already been in effect in my country, Vietnam, but apply to all players not only under 18 year ones. I don't remember for sure the details but something like this: first 3 hours logged in, you gain full experience; next 2 hours you only gain 50% of the experience and so on and its based on each day. So even if you log out and log back in, it's still counted as continious play.
This sounds like what happened to WoW, i assuming you are refering to that... you also get 50% gold if i remember correctly.

Viet Spirit

Viet Spirit

Banned

Join Date: Mar 2007

R/

Raiin,

no it only applies to games that are offficially released in my country, which WOW and GW are not. I am not living in country so I don't remember which games are the target.

Honor

Honor

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jul 2006

Exit 9 NJ Trnpk

The Roaming Gnomes[roam]

N/Me

It also may have somethng to do with the number of suicides that have been related to gaming for whatever reason. Seems I remember 2 or 3 in the past year from China, where over gaming or addiction to the gaming was considering a factor in the person suicide.

Ekelon

Ekelon

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Dec 2005

Rebel Rising [rawr]

A/W

This is totally messed up. :O But at least a higher percent of players are 18 and older in China. In U.S. it's quite the opposite.

Aerian_Skybane

Aerian_Skybane

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2006

House of Caeruleous [HoC]

R/E

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred Kiwi
No, its a socialist government, theres a big difference
You are half right.

You are right about Communism being different than general socialism. Even though communism is a form of socialism theory. But you are right.

But unfortunately, since you wanted to bring the politics out, China is not a socialist state, it is a Communist State.

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications...s/ch.html#Govt

Thank you, come again.

There are various other reasons other than ZOMG CHINA IS EVIL or wtf, noobs, for this. A) Since China is a communist state, they prefer people focusing on the state, and not on some game. B) The advent of online interaction and gaming presents a "security" risk to the state, as they have a very prohibitive media society. They can not control what a person can be witness to in the game world. At least, not internationally legally so.

I think this law will only apply to China or any other state as such, as it is their philosophy. In other countries, its up to the parents to control how much their child is playing for other reasons. Free societies come with greater responsibility and a larger margin for error unfortunately, but it is something I accept personally. I don't like this policy move, its just another typical invasion of privacy in a world that fears its own people above all else.

scrinner

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2006

Actually i believe this law is being implemented to counter the numerous deaths related to MMOS in china. I remember reading a few articles in the last year of players playing too much and end up dieing due to lack of.. other stuff. Anyways it might also be meant to be a blow to the gold farmers but they will find a way around it, guaranteed.

unienaule

unienaule

I dunt even get "Retired"

Join Date: Aug 2005

Fifteen Over Fifty [Rare]

It's like Nebraska in the United States. Some kid kills himself accidentally with a firecracker and O SHI BAN EXPLODING FIREWORKS cause everyone must be retarded.

Pwny Ride

Pwny Ride

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Oct 2006

Aussieland

Prime Players Of [OSHA] ~ [dth] alliance. <3

Me/E

Can't you just log out every 3 hours, then log in right away?

lucifer_uk

lucifer_uk

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Nov 2006

Nottingham, England

The Venerable Truth [TvT] The Venerable Alliance [TvH] [TvL]

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pwny Ride
Can't you just log out every 3 hours, then log in right away?
Or get the Euro/American/Korean version and play on their servers?

Pupu

Pupu

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Dec 2005

Left gw..yawn

W/N

just proves this world is screwed up...and its getting worse.

lucifer_uk

lucifer_uk

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Nov 2006

Nottingham, England

The Venerable Truth [TvT] The Venerable Alliance [TvH] [TvL]

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pupu
just proves this world is screwed up...and its getting worse.
Both ends and indeed middle of the spectrum are screwed up.

Everyone has a different utopia and a different outlook to what's good, normal, bad and moral.

Zaganher Deathbane

Zaganher Deathbane

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jul 2006

Las Vegas

N/

GW is not an MMORPG it's a CORPG. So technically Anet is exempted from this or I just hope so

Burn Butt

Burn Butt

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2006

Mafia of Annihilation [FeAr]

E/Me

Under 18 Chinese players must spend less than 3 hours per day on GW? Looks like DoA item prices just went up in the international districts.

EntityMaster

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jul 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aerian_Skybane
There are various other reasons other than ZOMG CHINA IS EVIL or wtf, noobs, for this.
It sadden me to hear condemnation against my home country, but I too, do not agree with China policies and governmental structure.

However, I believe this whole MMOs restriction is to prevent Chinese teenagers from becoming addicted to online games. As I have read enough news about young teenagers become so addicted to games that they forgone education and careers, and are forced to attend numerous boot camps for net addicts.

It's also true that many of them were injured spending too much time in front of their computers - body seizures, dehydration, etc... But the most prominent ones that I have heard were actually parents beating their children to death because of their addictions.

Emik

Emik

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Nov 2005

Belgium

[FaRM] Farm For The Win

N/

Well it will definitely put a limit to the seizure kids that play for 36 hours straight and have a fit behind their pc.

Malakili

Malakili

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Apr 2007

US

None atm =/

W/

It should be up to the parents to regulate their children's game playing time, not the government... Don't they have better things to be doing?

Seriously, sign the kids up for sports or something -.^

mortis corpus

mortis corpus

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2007

Private room in the Catacombs with Eve

Deaths Doormen (DOA)

N/E

my only comment is currious on how they plan on inforcement

Edge Martinez

Edge Martinez

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

NC

DKL

Quote:
Originally Posted by Malakili
It should be up to the parents to regulate their children's game playing time, not the government... Don't they have better things to be doing?

Seriously, sign the kids up for sports or something -.^
DING! DING! Winner!

Unfortunately many parents these days buy the games to keep the kids out of their hair and occupied. If China is the least bit like that, I honestly can't fault the government for trying to do something. It won't work, but it's better to try and fail, I guess, than just slip away like we've (U.S.) seemed to do. I think I only admire the idea because it's China, and they can do communist shit like that. Regardless of good intentions, I'd never support that in America. A hypocrit, I can be.

EntityMaster

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jul 2006

From what I've heard from another website, people who continue to play after the 3 hours limit will begin losing skills and abilities and stuffs like that... So if you don't want your lvl 20 warrior to start going back to lvl 15 and losing some elite skills, you better cut it out man!

Pwny Ride

Pwny Ride

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Oct 2006

Aussieland

Prime Players Of [OSHA] ~ [dth] alliance. <3

Me/E

Quote:
Originally Posted by EntityMaster
From what I've heard from another website, people who continue to play after the 3 hours limit will begin losing skills and abilities and stuffs like that... So if you don't want your lvl 20 warrior to start going back to lvl 15 and losing some elite skills, you better cut it out man!
Source or it's not true.

Taala

Taala

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by EntityMaster
From what I've heard from another website, people who continue to play after the 3 hours limit will begin losing skills and abilities and stuffs like that... So if you don't want your lvl 20 warrior to start going back to lvl 15 and losing some elite skills, you better cut it out man!
The Chinese hard mode!

cyberjanet

cyberjanet

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Feb 2007

The Netherlands

Rich Mahogany

N/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Malakili
It should be up to the parents to regulate their children's game playing time, not the government... Don't they have better things to be doing?
Er, judging by the language in Ascalon City, Kodash Bazaar and other places, it seems parents can't even teach their kids how to behave in public any more. Mind you, I guess if the government is taking over child-rearing, parents don't need to.

xDusT II

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2006

Melbourne

"You have been playing for 3 hours, please take a break or we will break you"

Perynne

Perynne

Site Contributor

Join Date: Oct 2006

Finland

Runners of the Rose [RR]

R/

I don't think this is a very bad idea... sure, 3 hours is quite extreme (I would prefer something around 6), but some kind of limit is a good thing. I know a few teens who've just given up on school and things outside the game just to be able to play for hours. Even some adults are like this. Once you get caught in a game, it's hard to learn to regulate it if you've grown up in an environment where nobody watches over your gaming.
Sure, gaming is fun and everything, but too much is too much. I really wouldn't mind having something like this here if it was implemented with a reasonable allowed time.

As for parents... well, these days it seems that kids are becoming harder to handle, and I don't think all of it is the parents fault anymore. Some kids just don't listen, and the more you try to teach them to behave, the more they just push back and get worse. Parenting isn't as easy as some of you make it sound.

Onarik Amrak

Onarik Amrak

Forge Runner

Join Date: Mar 2007

Astral Revenants

P/W

Under 18s shouldn't have the time to spend more than 3 hours straight in front of a computer except on weekends anyway.

You have school, homework, projects, chores... parents.

In fact, if your parents don't boot you off cause you've been staring at a screen for three hours, there's something wrong.

I hope this policy changes the way MMOs are made. Endless grinding and super long raids or whatever could be a thing of the past as no developer wants to exclude the Chinese market, which is huge, expanding and lucrative.

Darcy

Darcy

Never Too Old

Join Date: Jul 2006

Rhode Island where there are no GW contests

Order of First

W/R

What I think it signals is that we will see other countries pass similar laws. Why?

1. The under 18 group is supposedly still attending school and long hours of gaming cut into study/homework time.

2. Most governments are concerned about the state of education in their country, but are at a loss as to what would improve it. A law such as this one would show the public that they are doing "something."

3. In vote-driven governments, there are many groups pushing for such controls. This precedent would allow those governments to please the voters without antagonizing business-related political support.

TiNkLeR

TiNkLeR

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jun 2006

Portugal

Quote:
Originally Posted by lucifer_uk
Or get the Euro/American/Korean version and play on their servers?
Problem solved. Close thread.

cstrabley

cstrabley

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2006

Canton,Ohio,USA,Earth,Sol System,Milky Way

Knights of Shadowpeak[KOS]

W/

Please note the regulation was directed towards "game houses" specifically.
At home gamers would not be under the same requirement from the sounds of it.

Lydz

Lydz

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jun 2006

Cape Town, South Africa

The Crazy Dragons [TCD]

E/Mo

I personally think that under 18s should be playing more than over 18s. We go to school for shorter, we don't have families to attend to...so generally we have more time. Though I don't play for more than 3 hours on a school day because I *do* get a lot of homework etc. (stupid private school :/)

Thomas.knbk

Thomas.knbk

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jul 2006

I think this should be implemented world wide.
And the gouvernment DOES care. If you're playing an MMO you're not working.

Ultimate Flash

Ultimate Flash

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jan 2007

Kansas USA

The Makavelli Lords [TML]

A/

Quote:
Originally Posted by cyberjanet
Er, judging by the language in Ascalon City, Kodash Bazaar and other places, it seems parents can't even teach their kids how to behave in public any more. Mind you, I guess if the government is taking over child-rearing, parents don't need to.
Cyber,

I agree with your statement about the lack of courtesy and respect has been waning in our youth today. Even a simple "ty" after a trade is non-existent most of the time.

I don't agree with you on the fact that a government should take over the raising and discipline on a child. You're just asking for trouble there.

p.s. Does anyone in here know the right contraction for "you are"? You're right? So many kids get this wrong on GW. Such a huge pet peeve. Get off your computer and go learn some grammer!

Darksun

Darksun

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

USA

Karr's Castle

W/E

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ekelon
This is totally messed up. :O But at least a higher percent of players are 18 and older in China. In U.S. it's quite the opposite.
I've seen several places that list the average age of US gamers as 30yrs old.

GloryFox

GloryFox

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2006

Good ol' USA, where everyone else wants to be

Now Plays World of Warcraft on Whisperwind

Quote:
posted by Scrinner
Actually i believe this law is being implemented to counter the numerous deaths related to MMOS in china. I remember reading a few articles in the last year of players playing too much and end up dieing due to lack of.. other stuff. Anyways it might also be meant to be a blow to the gold farmers but they will find a way around it, guaranteed.
You mean you actually read and believe Chinese propaganda?

Think about it, the game industry creates an industry and thus taxes for the state. On the other hand China needs workers to produce something and not have any thought other than what the state tells them. That’s like reading in a China newspaper about how there is a world wide food shortage and now everyone must suffer and be rationed because of it. When in fact we have lots of food in the free world.

Have you not heard of Thesis, antithesis, and synthesis? The quickest route to political change?

1) The thesis is an intellectual proposition, such as children dying in china due to video games. It’s important to note that the Thesis does not have to exist in reality only to exist in the minds of people who believe it. For example "Global Warming" but that can be another discussion.

2) The antithesis is simply the negation of the thesis. Such as more regulation or opposition to video game playing. Playing video games for 3 hours instead of 4 or 5 hours will reduce your child’s chance of suicide (real or imagined). Your goal of course is step number 3.

3) The synthesis solves the conflict between the thesis and antithesis by reconciling their common truths, and forming a new proposition. For example more control over the computer dialogue in china and more laws governing who is saying what to who in Chinese chat rooms. Register your real name (has nothing to do with the thesis but creates a control factor) for the protection of the children for a safer "State" for all of China.

Honestly you need to question what you read in the newspapers more often.

Quote:
posted by unienaule
It's like Nebraska in the United States. Some kid kills himself accidentally with a firecracker and O SHI BAN EXPLODING FIREWORKS cause everyone must be retarded.
Yes exactly despite the facts that fewer accidents occur with fireworks then handling a pet cat we can see the net results. The net result being more government control and regulation and less “fireworks” in the hands of "Free" American people. Since the fireworks example was given lets take a look at other "Laws" that are a result of fireworks now banned. Since that incident all chemicals (gun powder even though gun powder is not used in fireworks much) used in the manufacture of fireworks are now regulated and you have another form of Taxation in the forms of "fines" that give money to the "State".

It’s all about control whether its real or imagined.

Quote:
posted by Thomas.knbk
I think this should be implemented world wide.
And the gouvernment DOES care. If you're playing an MMO you're not working.
People like you scare me. I do not exist for my government my government exists for me.

konohamaru heaven

konohamaru heaven

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Aug 2005

Some where in Cantha beyond the Petrified Forest and the Jade Sea

The Amazon Basin

LOL such a law on fire crackers around here and bottle rockets are widely ignored :/.