Chinese video gaming firm in rare protest over refunding rules proposed by state-backed association
- The government has put the onus on companies to design user verification systems to ensure restrictions are not easily skirted
A Chinese video gaming company has threatened to quit a state-backed association over controversial refunding rules, in a rare open protest revealing tensions between regulators and private business in the domestic industry.
Guangzhou-based Duoyi Games issued a public statement on Tuesday challenging a new draft of rules released by the Internet Society of China, a semi-official agency that translates Beijing’s intentions into “self-discipline” guidelines for the industry to follow.
Duoyi, which threatened to quit the association, was protesting against a draft rule that said China’s video gaming companies must refund “excessive payments” made by minor players. Specifically, refunds of 100 per cent were proposed for minor players if the company did not conduct an “anti-addiction” review of the player in advance, while companies would have to refund “30 to 70 per cent” of the payment even in cases where an adult helped a minor deliberately skirt the anti-addiction settings.
The draft rules, which force video gaming companies to shoulder the blame and could create a huge loophole for abuse, are open for feedback until June 27, after which the rules are expected to come into effect. The Internet Society of China did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.
The proposed rules are designed to prevent teenagers from becoming addicted to video games. The country has implemented one of the world’s strictest regulations capping game-playing time for those under 18 to three hours per week, and only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.