In effect from the 15^th April, the Chinese government have ruled that MMO games are to have “anti-addiction” software installed, a move desgined to stop under 18’s from becoming addicted to online games such as World of Warcraft. This is in response to the country’s growing petty crime Crime and truancy rates, something the government links to the growing popularity of MMO’s within China’s youth.

The software will require all gamers to register with identity cards using their real names, and under 18’s are permitted up to 3 hours of “healthy” game time. After this the points will be cut in half (which i assume means Exp, Gold and such like). After 5 hours however, they earn no points and are reminded every 15 minutes that they are damaging their health and that if they do not rest their points may be cut to zero.

China Daily also reports that if the games have not embedded the software by July 16^th they will be cut off.

This idea makes no sense to me. On one hand, restricting the play time will probably produce better adults via improved grades etc, but on the other, it will increase crime. If China links online gaming and crime together, then these youngsters are still going to have to pay the monthly fee’s, and now they have the free time in which to steal to pay the fee’s, which they will probaby feel is unjustified now, considering they can only play for a maximum of 3 hours a day.

Man, sucks to be addicted to WarCrack and live in China.

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