I just read this article about how China is developing a mandatory system that prevents video game players from playing for more than 3 consecutive hours. This is going to change the entire industry if true since they are one of the fastest growing markets for video and online games. I suppose developers could simply make geographically different versions of the game, yet it will have quite an impact in many areas. Link.
In addition, seven of China’s largest online gaming firms pledged Tuesday to “sacrifice short-term revenues” to create a “healthy” environment for young internet users. Companies signing onto the “Beijing Accord” were Shanda, NetEase, The9, Optisp, Kingsoft, SINA, and Sohu. These seven companies also pledged to deploy the system when development is completed.
Development of the system is scheduled for completion at the end of September 2005. Internal testing is scheduled to last for one year, beginning in October of 2005. After internal testing, trial operations of the system will be held using the games “The Legend of Mir II” and “The World of Legend” operated by Shanda, “Westward Journey Online” and “Fantasy Westward Journey Online” operated by NetEase, “World of Warcraft” and “MU” operated by The9, “JX Online” and “First Myth Online” operated by Kingsoft, “The Legend of Mir 3G” operated by Optisp, “Lineage II” operated by SINA, and “Blade Online” operated by Sohu.
Compulsorily deployment of the new system is expected to begin for all massive multiplayer online role-playing games and casual games in China in late 2005 or early 2006.