China bans livestreams of unapproved games
If the game isn't on China's list of approved titles, you can't livestream it in the country.
Over the past year, China has made a concerted effort to regulate video game usage in the country. Last summer, the country passed restrictions that severely limit the amount of time children can play games each week. Now, China has banned livestreams of games that it hasn’t approved.
This is part of the country’s recent sweep to restrict online and gaming addiction among its youth. According to a Google translation of the country’s new regulations, the country believes these problems significantly affect the population. The regulations state that:
Issues such as online live broadcast chaos and teenagers’ addiction to games have attracted widespread attention in the society, and it is urgent to take effective measures to strictly regulate them.
Publicity Department of the Chinese Communist Party (Google translation)
Digging into China’s ban on unregistered livestreams
What’s interesting is that China’s ban on showing unregistered games doesn’t appear to be limited to livestreams. Multiple types of “audio-visual programs” are also affected by these new regulations. This includes film, TV shows, and online non-live videos. See another excerpt below:
All kinds of online audio-visual programs such as online film and television dramas, online variety shows, online live broadcasts, and short videos are not allowed to broadcast online games that have not been approved by the competent authorities, and must not use live broadcast rooms and other forms to drain the illegal game content of various platforms.
Publicity Department of the Chinese Communist Party (Google translation)
It is important to note that all our speculation is based on a Google translated version of the document published by the Chinese Communist Party. Without a proper Chinese to English translation, a true analysis of these regulations and their impact on China and worldwide gaming isn’t really possible. Based on the evidence, however, Chinese gaming companies are definitely feeling the pressure to ramp up their international presence as domestic players feel the strain.
What do you think of China’s restrictions on livestreams? Do you think it’s fair? Let us know!
Via PC Gamer.
