Video game lockdown in China: Why it's happening
In recent years, China has become known not only as the largest video game market in the world, but also as a country with one of the strictest approaches to regulating content in the gaming industry. In China, video game blockages regularly occur, which can affect both international projects and domestic developments. But why is this happening? What are the reasons behind these decisions, and how do they affect the gaming industry? In this article, we will understand the reasons for blocking video games in China and what this means for the market.
1. Regulating gaming content in China
1.1 Strict Censorship Rules
One of the main reasons video games are blocked in China is because of censorship. Chinese law requires that all games that plan to enter the Chinese market comply with strict cultural and political norms. If the game violates these norms, it is blocked or modified.
- Games do not allow the presence of anti-government ideas, open violence, pornographic content or any elements that may contradict China's values. All games, before entering Chinese stores or online platforms, must be censored and approved by government agencies.
1.2 The theme of violence and anti-government elements
One of the most common reasons for blocking the game in China is the presence of violence, especially in its excessive forms. A game containing violent scenes or bloody scenes can be blocked if it does not comply with Chinese cultural norms.
- For example, games that have criticism of the government or depictions of terrorist activities could also face a lockdown. An example is the blocking of some games involving topics related to protests, political conflicts or historical events that contradict the official point of view.
2. Government restrictions and social problems
2.1 Protecting Young People from Gambling Addiction
Another reason for blocking video games in China is the fight against gaming addiction among young people. The Chinese government is concerned about the growing number of young people who spend too much time playing video games, which could lead to poor health and educational outcomes.
- China's government imposed restrictions on the time young people can spend on video games 2019 year: 1.5 hours a day on weekdays and 3 hours a weekend for children and teenagers. In addition, rules have been introduced requiring players to confirm age through a real-world identification system to prevent abuse.
2.2 Psychological effect on young people
Chinese authorities are also concerned about the negative impact of video games on the psyche of young people. Games that are too aggressive or too realistic can have a psychological impact on players, resulting in them being blocked. As a result, games such as PUBG have undergone temporary blocking or content changes so they can meet standards.
- In particular, measures have been introduced to restrict games containing elements that can cause stress or lead to aggressive behavior. It also applies to some popular games in China that have had to be changed to reduce their impact on young people.
3. Cultural and political constraints
3.1 Violation of cultural norms
China also has special cultural and historical traditions that play an important role in the decision to block video games. Some games may not be censored if they contain symbols or content that run counter to Chinese culture or historical standards.
- For example, games that depict Chinese historical figures or events must comply with strict accuracy requirements. If developers decide to change or distort historical facts, the game may be blocked.
3.2 Political censorship
China has very strict political restrictions, and games that raise issues related to the political situation in the country can be immediately blocked. For example, games that depict protest activity, political violence, or scenes that contain criticism of the government are usually not allowed to exit in China.
- An example of such blockages are games that touch on the topics of Tiananmen, Tibet or Taiwan. Any content that can be perceived as anti-government is heavily censored and often causes the game to be blocked.
4. Impact on international companies and developers
4.1 Challenges for International Developers
Many international developers face the difficulty of adapting their games to the requirements of Chinese censorship. Some companies, such as Blizzard, Valve and Epic Games, have been forced to edit their games to meet Chinese standards, or even remove them from the Chinese market to avoid being blocked.
- For example, the Chinese version of Overwatch has been modified to meet the requirements of Chinese law. Some characters were removed, and the violence in the game was significantly reduced.
4.2 Monetization Issues
The introduction of heavy censorship and restrictions in China also affects the monetization models of games. International companies must consider rules regarding in-game purchases and monetization systems, which could also lead to significant changes in how they present their games to Chinese players.
Conclusion
Blocking video games in China is a multifaceted process driven by a combination of cultural, political and social factors. Strict censorship, the fight against gambling addiction among young people and the desire to protect traditional values play a key role in this process. As a result, many international games are subject to significant changes or even blocked in the Chinese market. It also creates challenges for developers and companies looking to enter the world's largest gaming market.
In recent years, China has become known not only as the largest video game market in the world, but also as a country with one of the strictest approaches to regulating content in the gaming industry. In China, video game blockages regularly occur, which can affect both international projects and domestic developments. But why is this happening? What are the reasons behind these decisions, and how do they affect the gaming industry? In this article, we will understand the reasons for blocking video games in China and what this means for the market.
1. Regulating gaming content in China
1.1 Strict Censorship Rules
One of the main reasons video games are blocked in China is because of censorship. Chinese law requires that all games that plan to enter the Chinese market comply with strict cultural and political norms. If the game violates these norms, it is blocked or modified.
- Games do not allow the presence of anti-government ideas, open violence, pornographic content or any elements that may contradict China's values. All games, before entering Chinese stores or online platforms, must be censored and approved by government agencies.
1.2 The theme of violence and anti-government elements
One of the most common reasons for blocking the game in China is the presence of violence, especially in its excessive forms. A game containing violent scenes or bloody scenes can be blocked if it does not comply with Chinese cultural norms.
- For example, games that have criticism of the government or depictions of terrorist activities could also face a lockdown. An example is the blocking of some games involving topics related to protests, political conflicts or historical events that contradict the official point of view.
2. Government restrictions and social problems
2.1 Protecting Young People from Gambling Addiction
Another reason for blocking video games in China is the fight against gaming addiction among young people. The Chinese government is concerned about the growing number of young people who spend too much time playing video games, which could lead to poor health and educational outcomes.
- China's government imposed restrictions on the time young people can spend on video games 2019 year: 1.5 hours a day on weekdays and 3 hours a weekend for children and teenagers. In addition, rules have been introduced requiring players to confirm age through a real-world identification system to prevent abuse.
2.2 Psychological effect on young people
Chinese authorities are also concerned about the negative impact of video games on the psyche of young people. Games that are too aggressive or too realistic can have a psychological impact on players, resulting in them being blocked. As a result, games such as PUBG have undergone temporary blocking or content changes so they can meet standards.
- In particular, measures have been introduced to restrict games containing elements that can cause stress or lead to aggressive behavior. It also applies to some popular games in China that have had to be changed to reduce their impact on young people.
3. Cultural and political constraints
3.1 Violation of cultural norms
China also has special cultural and historical traditions that play an important role in the decision to block video games. Some games may not be censored if they contain symbols or content that run counter to Chinese culture or historical standards.
- For example, games that depict Chinese historical figures or events must comply with strict accuracy requirements. If developers decide to change or distort historical facts, the game may be blocked.
3.2 Political censorship
China has very strict political restrictions, and games that raise issues related to the political situation in the country can be immediately blocked. For example, games that depict protest activity, political violence, or scenes that contain criticism of the government are usually not allowed to exit in China.
- An example of such blockages are games that touch on the topics of Tiananmen, Tibet or Taiwan. Any content that can be perceived as anti-government is heavily censored and often causes the game to be blocked.
4. Impact on international companies and developers
4.1 Challenges for International Developers
Many international developers face the difficulty of adapting their games to the requirements of Chinese censorship. Some companies, such as Blizzard, Valve and Epic Games, have been forced to edit their games to meet Chinese standards, or even remove them from the Chinese market to avoid being blocked.
- For example, the Chinese version of Overwatch has been modified to meet the requirements of Chinese law. Some characters were removed, and the violence in the game was significantly reduced.
4.2 Monetization Issues
The introduction of heavy censorship and restrictions in China also affects the monetization models of games. International companies must consider rules regarding in-game purchases and monetization systems, which could also lead to significant changes in how they present their games to Chinese players.
Conclusion
Blocking video games in China is a multifaceted process driven by a combination of cultural, political and social factors. Strict censorship, the fight against gambling addiction among young people and the desire to protect traditional values play a key role in this process. As a result, many international games are subject to significant changes or even blocked in the Chinese market. It also creates challenges for developers and companies looking to enter the world's largest gaming market.