Ratings System for Online Games?

2009-12-08

Under a system similar to film classification, the Ministry of Culture is planning to introduce a rating system for online content, including games, that would only allow players older than a certain age to join in.

"We will ask the game operators to improve the rules of their game, adjust product structure and crack down on vulgar style. We need to raise the cultural content in online games," said Tuo Zuhai, deputy director of the marketing department at the ministry.

"Enhancing the content of online games is the current focal point of our work," he said at China's Seventh International Digital Content Expo.

Some netizens, however, have questioned the feasibility of the ministry's plan and the likelihood of it accomplishing its goals. (China Daily)

Right. Sounds like the MOC was floating this out there to see what the reaction would be.

I don't expect the feedback to be positive. Not only has the game industry been subject to the increasingly ridiculous power struggle between the Ministry of Culture on the one side and MIIT (and other agencies) on the other side, but the proposed system has severe practical weaknesses.

Despite attempts to institute a real name system for online games (and other Net apps), the government is quite far from figuring out how to implement a procedure that ensures only adults play certain games. It's just too easy to use Mommy or Daddy's ID number when you sign up – and that's just a low-tech solution.

In the past couple of years, we've already seen:

1. Attempts to make it more difficult for foreign game licensors to enforce their rights.

2. Restrictions on Net cafe use and collection of ID data.

3. Ever tightening content restrictions on games.

4. 'Helpful' reminders from the government that foreign investment is not welcome in the industry.

5. An endless succession of anti-porn campaigns, some of which are targeted at game graphics and situations.

6. Restrictions on game use by minors (e.g. time limits to discourage 'addicts').

This aggressive regulation does not appear to have hurt the industry's bottom line so far. Games are booming here, and China has become a bona fide global leader in the industry. But there are limits, so we'll have to keep an eye on this.

Tags: China Law