BEIJING: China has banned the livestreaming of unauthorised video games, signalling stricter enforcement of rules as part of its broad crackdown on the gaming industry aimed at purging content the government does not approve,
The state-controlled regulator National Radio and Television Administration said platforms of all kinds must not livestream games that are not approved by related authorities.
In particular, the livestreaming of overseas games or competitions should not be carried out without approval, it said, adding that livestreamers should resist “abnormal aesthetics” and harmful celebrity fan culture.
“For a period of time, issues such as chaotic online livestreaming and teenage addiction to games have raised widespread concerns in society and effective measures need to be taken urgently,” the regulator said in a notice on its website.
Last year, China introduced new rules that limit the amount of time under-18s can spend on video games to three hours a week, a move it said was necessary to combat gaming addiction.
It also implemented a freeze on gaming licences which regulators only lifted this week after gaming companies made major adjustments to their business practices. Companies have been asked to delete content that is violent, deemed to celebrate wealth or foster the worship of celebrities.
China’s largest gaming firm Tencent Holdings Ltd said it would shut down a service allowing Chinese gamers to play unapproved foreign games on overseas platforms.
