China's New Rules for Internet Cafes: Bad News for Online Game Companies? (NTES, NCTY, SNDA)

From today's Wall Street Journal (sub req):

China announced tough new regulations banning teenagers from Internet cafes and karaoke bars, stepping up a campaign to enforce public morality amid official concerns about drugs, gambling and prostitution.

The new guidelines will bar the venues from using "audio and video products and electronic games" that "harm national security and incite hatred toward other nationalities," the official Xinhua News Agency said, citing China's cabinet.

Customers under 18 years old won't be allowed in places such as Internet cafes, discos and karaoke bars under the new guidelines, which take effect March 1, the newspaper said.

The report said the new rules will also outlaw entertainment outlets from using songs, films or electronic games that could "damage [China's] unification, sovereignty or territorial integrity."

The report didn't elaborate, but likely referred to content advocating Taiwan independence.

Comments

[Josh:]

Do you think this helps mobile game providers?

2006 Feb 14 01:43 PM