China bans minors from playing WoW

August 4th, 2005

China has banned minors from playing any online game that allows one to “PK” (player kill) another player:

“Minors should not be allowed to play online games that have PK content, that allow players to increase the power of their own online game characters by killing other players,” Liu Shifa, head of the MOC’s Internet Culture Division, which drafts policies governing the online gaming market, told Interfax. “Online games that have PK content usually also contain acts of violence and leads to players spending too much time trying to increase the power of their characters. They are harmful to young people.”

I admit it, I’m speechless. Sure, it is China and all, but wow… that’s one heavy hand. I actually liked the part that said “MOC’s Internet Culture Division“. China has an Internet Culture Division? Holy hell Batman. We’re all worked up over sex mini-games and blurry Sims while China is laying down the law.

I’m curious as to what Blizzard has to say about all this. Considering that in less than a month they had 1.5 million, yes, 1.5 million WoW accounts in China. How many of those are now considered “illegal”? I’d guess a good chunk.

In a sad kind of way, I can sympathize with China on this one. I’ve been addicted to these types of games before. I did spend a ton of time playing WoW, killing other online players’ characters, gaining power and better gear. It became very obsessive. I’m glad I quit, I’m so so glad. Sometimes there are real consequences from playing these games too much. And anyone who plays these games for the same reasons, power and gear, tells you they aren’t addicted, they’re in denial.

Entry Filed under: gaming, politics