anti-online game addiction system

20:17 0 Comments

China on Tuesday introduced an “anti-online game addiction system” intended to protect players from the mental and physical perils of spending too much time in front of computers.

The system, which will encourage players to play less by cutting the benefits they gain in online games, is to be implemented by local internet companies that have signed a code of conduct drawn up by China's press and publications administration.

The move reflects fears about the social impact of popular “multiplayer online role-playing games” which have been blamed for encouraging sloth, truancy and even murder.

An estimated 25m Chinese play online role-playing games. These allow players to interact as characters ranging from warrior heroes to powerful magicians in vast virtual environments.

However, communist groups and newspapers have highlighted reports that many players are addicted to the games.