China Clamps Down on Online Gaming

The BBC reports on new restrictions on online gaming. Specifically, they'll be monitoring some virtual worlds more closely, after some were found to be carrying 'anti-government' messages. Examples include religious and political material, although there are very few details on either the content or what exactly they'll be doing to monitor it. From the article: "Distributors must now obtain approval before releasing new games, reported Xinhua news agency. Companies must also submit monthly monitoring reports, confirming developers have not added forbidden content. The latest round of enforcement was prompted by 'a rash of problems with imported online games, some of which contain sensitive religious material or refer to territorial disputes', Xinhua said. " Relatedly, in Gamasutra's regular 'China Angle' column, they look at gaming-related TV ads, why those are dicey, and requirements that players not cross-dress in MMOGs.

Wow...

[PingSpike]

I mean, I knew they had some nutty censorship going on there...but they've actually got people that make sure you can't crossdress in online computer games? Is that really a big enough problem that they need assign government officials to it?

I guess I'll try to see this as an example of why all freedom of expression must be protected...even that which you disagree with. If you shrug it off, it just gets worse and worse.

Way to go, China...

[58797A7A79]

Way to go, China... always being a shining example of how not to run a country. Makes me wonder which will happen first, the US catching up with you, or you catching up with North Korea.

This just makes me sick. People should be able to speak out their grievances against their government without fearing for their lives or freedom.

Re:Way to go, China...

[1ntegral]

This country has its share of human rights abuses. They're just not as publicized or obvious, and a lot of the time they take place outside of our borders, against non-citizens. Still, the erosion of our civil liberties is slowly advancing, especially since 9/11, and I feel every day as though our rights, including free speech, are going the way of the great auk.

Fear

[silentounce]

I think what they are afraid of is groups like the Falun Gong building a presence on these online games and acting as a medium of communication, a place to hold meetings, plot actions, etc. Anti-government movements have existed throughout Chinese history e.g. the White Lotus Society, Kuomintang, the CCP. One of these groups eventually takes power through a violent revolution. The cycle has been going on for thousands of years.