Back in September, China’s central government implemented the harshest restriction on video gaming, limiting all youths younger than 17 years of age to just three hours a week of gaming. Unsurprisingly, budding opportunists have found ways to circumvent these restrictions, and the Communist state is none too happy about it.
According to Reuters, several online trading platforms in China are already offering services that allow youngsters to rent or buy gaming accounts, thus bypassing the country’s video game restrictions and requirements for gaming platforms, to take on a more active role in ensuring that China’s youth “comply” with the rules. Needless to say, it’s a daunting task for these gaming platforms, especially since many of these purchased accounts are technically legitimate.
Prior to this, Chinese minors were able to play games for 1.5 hours a day, any time of the day. During public holidays, that time is doubled.
Also not surprising is the outrage from the Chinese youth that followed soon after the restrictions were put in place, with many citing the move by the Communist party to be drastic and that its opinion that video games are “spiritual opium” is clearly a step too far.
(Source: Reuters, Hot Hardware)
