China to limit minors to 3 hours of video games per week

[Xevo]

what if someone pass the limit?

 

[williamcll]

Nobody here should be complaining unless they are under 18. 

2 hours ago, Mihle said:

Do they do the same with TV or Shows and stuff?

 

If not, maybe this is more an effort to try to get them to watch Chinese TV/Shows/movies instead.

a lot of Chinese video sharing apps have parental mode. It's not compulsory yet.

[Mark Kaine]

2 hours ago, Xevo said:

what if someone pass the limit?

 

Immediate phone, pc, etc self destruction!

 

Good question,  I dont know!

 

2 hours ago, hisbrownballs said:

Game accounts in China are linked to their citizen's ID. Also with this much control over gaming due to the party disliking video games, there's no way they could possibly set a fake age.

They could, with their parents ID, where the whole face recognition thing comes in!

[BetteBalterZen]

I wanna say so many things about Chinas government but I know, keep it to gaming, haha. 

I hope the chinese kids will find a way to game

[Brooksie359]

18 hours ago, Mark Kaine said:

There also won't be any issues at all when millions of kids try to go online/ log in *at the exact same time*

 

They could just as well outlaw gaming for kids altogether  (this is where this is going anyways seemingly)

 

Kinda sucks personally for me, vast majority i play with are Japanese or Chinese... wonder how this will affect me... Chinese definitely have more wild times when they're online,  Japanese are much more predictable, they definitely don't play during school or late evenings,  1 o'clock (their time) is end of story (the majority anyways)

 

 

I would be interested in how this will effect league of legends ranked. I mean games can last from 20 mins to over an hour depending on the game so if the game gets past one hour do they just get disconnected or what happens then? Maybe those under 18 can't play ranked to prevent this from negatively effect other people's ranked games? There seem to be quite a few implications with this. 

[Murasaki]

Watch a lot of games go offline mode now.

[LAwLz]

5 hours ago, williamcll said:

Nobody here should be complaining unless they are under 18. 

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
     Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
     Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
     Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

 

 

Also, I think it is ridiculous that you think that you can't speak out against something unless it affects you personally.

I am against a lot of things even though they don't personally affect me. I am against stealing even if it's not one of my possessions that are being stolen. I am against racism even if it's not my race being discriminated against. I am against overly restrictive gaming policies even though they don't apply to me.

[Fasterthannothing]

I have no idea why but I read that headline as miners like crypto miner and that they were limiting how many hours the cards could be used to play videogames. I was like wait what didn't China ban crypto they must have gone full reverse and want everyone mining. Children and videogames yeah that makes sense.

[thechinchinsong]

What is also really interesting about this kind of law is how it will affect the esports scene and talent pool for the CN region. Other countries will have kids being able to master shooters and mobas from an early age while the chinese talent pool is gonna be significantly worse. 

[Guest]

2 hours ago, thechinchinsong said:

What is also really interesting about this kind of law is how it will affect the esports scene and talent pool for the CN region. Other countries will have kids being able to master shooters and mobas from an early age while the chinese talent pool is gonna be significantly worse. 

It doesn't take years to be good at a video game. (sorry Linus)

[leadeater]

1 hour ago, RorzNZ said:

It doesn't take years to be good at a video game. (sorry Linus)

If you only have 1 hour per day for 3 days that's pretty good incentive to get damn good at the game.

[StDragon]

Addiction, whatever the form, does lead to degradation of industrial progress. Not just from reduced labor, but it's also a multiplyer effect as it involves other immediate family members to assist in overcoming said addiction.

 

That said, social media (FB, Twitter, TikTok, etc) have had a far more negative impact on society then gaming. Just look at all the degenerate crap spewed on these platforms! It turns people into enemies; it's awful to read.

 

Not to get biblical, but remember the story of the Tower of Babel? Well that's IMHO is Internet. Not sure I like what it's become.

 

Moderation is the key. Society needs to learn that on their own so there wouldn't be a need for such heavy handed regulation: that often leads to a worse result anyways. Just be glad you're not living in the Middle Ages or prior where you have no time to do anything but farm.

[thechinchinsong]

3 hours ago, RorzNZ said:

It doesn't take years to be good at a video game. (sorry Linus)

I mean it doesn't have to take years but its certainly not gonna help. Imagine only having 3 hours a week to game while another kid in the US, South Korea, Brazil, France, Russia, or literally any other free country can play from dawn till dusk if they skip school. I'm not saying kids should game all day, but they're definitely gonna get better a lot quicker compared to kids in China. Esports largely looks for fresh blood with younger people so its gonna be harder to find better players in China at a young age. At least compared to the talent pool globally.

[Guest]

4 hours ago, leadeater said:

If you only have 1 hour per day for 3 days that's pretty good incentive to get damn good at the game.

To be fair games are meant to be relax and some time off etc. it shouldn’t be your focus growing up imo. No one really knows what they want or specialises until they are older, Maybe I’m old fashioned as we are here, but I really don’t see my kids being eSports players. 

 

1 hour ago, thechinchinsong said:

I mean it doesn't have to take years but its certainly not gonna help. Imagine only having 3 hours a week to game while another kid in the US, South Korea, Brazil, France, Russia, or literally any other free country can play from dawn till dusk if they skip school. I'm not saying kids should game all day, but they're definitely gonna get better a lot quicker compared to kids in China. Esports largely looks for fresh blood with younger people so its gonna be harder to find better players in China at a young age. At least compared to the talent pool globally.

Just like anything if you are actually dedicated, then you will use that 1 hour appropriately. You can fart around online or actually think about what you are doing in the game. Think about a real sport - do you think athletes spend more than an hour running, or more than an hour playing tennis per day? Not at that age - they are running drills and being coached. You don’t get better just by playing. 
 

Also, dodging school is illegal in many countries. Don’t skip school. 

[Jaballadad]

As to how they might implement this there is Shengqu Games (chinese publisher for online MMO's) who already resolved themselves to kick out minors after 9 pm

in a statement from their main site:

http://www.shengqugames.com/cn/detail?id=332142

 

Here's the google-translated official statement taken from the link:

 

Spoiler

Dear friends and players:

In order to strictly implement the "Notice on Further Strict Management and Practically Preventing Minors from Indulging in Online Games" issued by the National Press and Publication Administration, to protect the physical and mental health of minors, to correctly guide minors to experience a healthy gaming life, and to further strengthen the anti-addiction mechanism of online games , Shengqu Games decided to make relevant adjustments to all its online games in operation at 0:00 on September 1, 2021.

 

After the adjustment, all online games in operation of Shengqu Games will only provide one-hour game service to minor users from 20 to 21:00 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays. When the playing time of a minor user reaches 1 hour, the system will force the user to go offline.

　　

In addition, Shengqu Games will not provide game services to users who have not registered and logged in with their real names in any form.

　　

Regarding the changes in the game experience that may be brought to players after the adjustment, we will make relevant optimizations and explanations as soon as possible to ensure the game experience of other game users. Follow-up related information changes, please continue to pay attention to the official account of Shengqu Games. If there is any adjustment, we will notify you immediately, please pay attention to all players.

 

Doesn't stop the children from using parents ID or someone else ID who is of legal age as pointed out already. Though that probably means you wouldn't be able to log into your existing account and make a fresh start which is equally annoying.

[avg123]

they need to ban social media before video games. if they are really going to be a nanny state, atleast do it right

[thechinchinsong]

12 hours ago, RorzNZ said:

Just like anything if you are actually dedicated, then you will use that 1 hour appropriately. You can fart around online or actually think about what you are doing in the game. Think about a real sport - do you think athletes spend more than an hour running, or more than an hour playing tennis per day? Not at that age - they are running drills and being coached. You don’t get better just by playing. 
 

Also, dodging school is illegal in many countries. Don’t skip school. 

Yes if you think Esports is exactly like real sports where you can do a variety of exercises in place of the actual sport for most of the training, this wouldn't be such a big deal. However, if you think about how a Esports aspiree would train, it wouldn't make too much sense. How would you practice for a videogame if you can't access that videogame (or ANY other videogame). The only way to practice an esport is to play that esport (or something similar) and train with others. Imagine trying to train for the Olympics but you can only perform physical exercise for 3 hours a week. Esport "exercises" or drills, need to be performed in the same game, otherwise there are many mechanics and quirks of each game that can't be practiced for, except for those 3 hours a week. There's no way on Earth no matter how naturally gifted or dedicated you are during those three hours a week you are going to catch up to someone of similar ability to you.

 

I'm sure many people in China just use a family member's ID or some random persons ID to get past the time locks, but as already mentioned, those PC cafes that are popular in much of Asia are no longer an option for people without decent computers.

 

Also I'm not recommending skipping school. Just pointing out that many kids around the world that have those aspirations would love to skip school to game, even if it makes are much sense as skipping school to train for the Olympics.

[Moonzy]

genshin apparently updated their rules

Spoiler

 

1, underaged play time limitation (new addition):

1) fri, sat, sun, & public holidays: can login from 20:00 to 21:00 only, will be disconnected if you play more than an hour

2) wont be able to login at any other times

 

2, underaged spending limitation (not changed):

1) 0-7 yr old cant purchase

2) 8-15 yr old cant purchase more than 50RMB per transaction, monthly limitation is 200 RMB

3) 16 to <18 yr old player, cant purchase more than 100RMB, monthly limitation is 400 RMB

 

 

[sub68]

22 hours ago, thechinchinsong said:

What is also really interesting about this kind of law is how it will affect the esports scene and talent pool for the CN region. Other countries will have kids being able to master shooters and mobas from an early age while the chinese talent pool is gonna be significantly worse. 

it takes more days to nail it.

I play a average of 1 hour of OW per day and over two years I have gone pretty good.

So....

If your cometed and can learn over and over a hour isn't too bad.

6 hours ago, avg123 said:

they need to ban social media before video games. if they are really going to be a nanny state, atleast do it right

They basically banned most social's ( i think twitter is still working in certain reigions.)

They have there own versions of social medias.

Weibo is basically twitter

bilibili is youtube.

 

[Guest]

5 hours ago, thechinchinsong said:

Yes if you think Esports is exactly like real sports where you can do a variety of exercises in place of the actual sport for most of the training, this wouldn't be such a big deal. However, if you think about how a Esports aspiree would train, it wouldn't make too much sense. How would you practice for a videogame if you can't access that videogame (or ANY other videogame). The only way to practice an esport is to play that esport (or something similar) and train with others. Imagine trying to train for the Olympics but you can only perform physical exercise for 3 hours a week. Esport "exercises" or drills, need to be performed in the same game, otherwise there are many mechanics and quirks of each game that can't be practiced for, except for those 3 hours a week. There's no way on Earth no matter how naturally gifted or dedicated you are during those three hours a week you are going to catch up to someone of similar ability to you.

 

I'm sure many people in China just use a family member's ID or some random persons ID to get past the time locks, but as already mentioned, those PC cafes that are popular in much of Asia are no longer an option for people without decent computers.

 

Also I'm not recommending skipping school. Just pointing out that many kids around the world that have those aspirations would love to skip school to game, even if it makes are much sense as skipping school to train for the Olympics.

Maybe it makes sense then to limit time. You shouldn't aspire to be a video game player at that age. Its not going to happen. If you're skipping school to play video games, or dedicating too much time, its not training, its not practice, its a problem.

[thechinchinsong]

6 hours ago, sub68 said:

it takes more days to nail it.

I play a average of 1 hour of OW per day and over two years I have gone pretty good.

So....

If your cometed and can learn over and over a hour isn't too bad.

I'm not saying you can't be good playing just a bit at a time, I'm trying to say that you'll always be behind a person that can play more than you. If there were two of you, one in China under these new laws and the other you as is, then it would take the you in China a lot longer to get to the same skill level since you have over twice as much time per week to play.

[thechinchinsong]

2 hours ago, Guest said:

Maybe it makes sense then to limit time. You shouldn't aspire to be a video game player at that age. Its not going to happen. If you're skipping school to play video games, or dedicating too much time, its not training, its not practice, its a problem.

I'm not saying specifically that they should aspire to be esports players at that age, I'm not endorsing skipping school. I'm simply saying that amount of time you put in to be good at some skill, any skill (in this case video games), if it is artificially limited, is going to put you behind those that don't have those limitations. Yeah, maybe you shouldn't aspire to be a video game player at that age, but plenty of kids and adults that are currently in Esports have gotten there by spending loads of time (much more than 3 hours a week) practicing, studying their game. I don't see how it is different from a young baseball or swimming or football player spending hours upon hours each week practicing, playing, studying their sport in order to get good (or just have fun), and hoping to be a professional in their respective sport when they are adults.

 

Overall, I'm just curious how this is gonna affect the Chinese Esports scene on a domestic and international level.

[Age of 9394]

I think most Chinese people playing video game at Internet cafe. However lot of Internet cafe had been close because of pandemic. May be this law is try to boost Internet Cafe business.

[williamcll]

On 8/31/2021 at 11:21 PM, LAwLz said:

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
     Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
     Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
     Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

 

 

Also, I think it is ridiculous that you think that you can't speak out against something unless it affects you personally.

I am against a lot of things even though they don't personally affect me. I am against stealing even if it's not one of my possessions that are being stolen. I am against racism even if it's not my race being discriminated against. I am against overly restrictive gaming policies even though they don't apply to me.

Are you against parents that don't know how to moderate gaming times of their children?

[MultiGamerClub]

Damn, im gonna miss some of the chinese rust players ive met over the years.