China Halts Special Approval Process for New Games (bloomberg.com) 45
China's regulators have ended the issuance of game licenses through a stopgap approval process, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The move would close the last known official path for making money from new titles in the world's biggest gaming market. From the report: Licenses are no longer being granted through a process known as the "green channel," used for testing both domestic and foreign games, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the matter is private. The approval mechanism had been in place since at least August, following the government's decision earlier this year to restructure how it reviews video games for violence, gambling and sensitive topics. The new restrictions in the $38 billion market threaten the fortunes of game companies such as Tencent Holdings and NetEase and add to the uncertainty about the Communist Party's long-term plans for regulating the industry. While it's unclear why Beijing has shut that window, the government has stepped up its oversight of an industry it sees fomenting addiction, myopia and other ills among the country's youth. Some analysts had anticipated that the broader freeze would end by September. They had seen the green channel as a temporary solution to carry the industry until then.
due to tariffs and trade war?? (Score:2)
As they don't want people there to buy us made stuff?
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If this were the case, I think it may be more focused to keep its citizens focused more on work and being productive.
The trade war would hurt China more then the US does. But in times of strife, China can lock out descent and try to keep its citizens busy to prevent them causing as much trouble.
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China can lock out descent
If only that were true. China can't even keep its buildings from descending [youtu.be] (warning, graphic), let alone its society.
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WTF? It's a comedy video.
I don't find seeing people fall to their deaths comedic. Most new housing construction in China is empty, but people dying when their recently-built building collapses happens all to often. There are a couple of reputable builders, but much new construction there is unsafe.
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As they don't want people there to buy us made stuff?
No. The restrictions apply to both foreign and domestic games. Most games played in China are made in China.
The government is trying to cut back on the time people waste playing games. In America, if you look at drivers or people walking down the street, you may see 10-20% doing so with a cell phone held up in front of their nose. In China, it is 90%. It is fun to just sit on a street corner in Shanghai and watch bicyclists crash into each other because neither is watching where they are going.
I don't
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Put a video up on YouTube.
YouTube? Do you mean Tudou?
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So the China gaming market, the poorest people, playing the cheapest games on the cheapest hardware, largely the bulk of the market. So nothing more really than than political censorship and of course some manufacturers can be favoured over others, so chances for graft increase.
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I don't think that this is the real intent, because the article says "domestic and foreign games" meaning also games from chinese companies.
When you follow the development in the peoples republic of china (PRC) you can guess their intent pretty well. Western lifestyle is more and more seen as "unwanted" influence and a deteroration of "the"(*) chinese culture and lifestyle. This view expressed by the leadership elite and headlined by Xi Jinping. In contrast most people from china that have earned their capi
...were in 2018 (Score:1)
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surprizing (Score:1)
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The US doesn't care about loot boxes and shenanigans, the EU does. And China cares mostly about social control. If they knew how to do that with games, they'd be all over it. They're probably are delaying it until they figure out if they can use it as another means of control.
They'll like this game (Score:1)
I know what game the government would like. Your game character stands by a virtual assembly line, putting iPhones together. That's all. And it doesn't stop until your character jumps out a window.
they pushed apple to ban that app! (Score:2)
they pushed apple to ban that app!
It should be obvious . . . (Score:4, Informative)
Can't have any independent thought in a country ruled by Emperor Xi Jinping!
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. . . game players tend to be independent thinkers, which is what game playing tends to foster.
I am somewhat humor impaired, so just to be sure, this is a joke, right?
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Re:It should be obvious . . . (Score:4, Insightful)
. . . game players tend to be independent thinkers, which is what game playing tends to foster.
Bwhahahahaha.... hahahaha..... *sniff*
I am sure the droves of Candy Crush drones and Pokemon drones are sooooo independent thinkers. Yup.
Armies of DotA and LOL players glued to their PC day and night, a reeeeal threat to dictators!
I bet that Xi Pooh was beat in multiplayer (Score:3)
He doesn't strike me as being one with thick skin. That'd be Eeyore.
"because the matter is private" (Score:1)
I don't claim that any western political system is perfect, but this statement is fucking insane.
Fuck the Chinese government (Score:2, Insightful)
Of course the real root of the problem is humans. There are too fucking many of us. We need to make about 90% of us disappear, then things will calm the hell down, be
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The eco terrorist's manifesto.
WoW Gold Farmers? (Score:2)
Probably not affected :-)