Players reject online games law
22 March 2006
Online gamers have criticized plans to introduce an anti-addiction law that would limit time spent in virtual role-playing games, forcing the government into a rethink. Officials told the Financial Times that seven months after it was announced, the law is only at a limited trial stage, covering only some servers of leading companies. China's press administration has already decided the rules limiting playtime should apply only to under-18s. This is one example of the difficulties Beijing is facing as it tries to exert control over the rapidly expanding internet sector. Chinese online games companies listed in the Untied States may not be as badly affected as thought, if the eventual law is watered down.