Rating system needed in gaming industry, says expert

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By CGTN’s The Point

The gaming industry should introduce a rating system to prevent young players from becoming addicted to online games, experts say, amid growing criticism of popular Chinese mobile game “King of Glory” and its impact on young gamers.

“We should rate these mobile games… like at a certain age you should not be allowed to play. It’s like rating movies,” current affairs commentator Xu Qinduo told CGTN’s The Point.

Gaming companies should take responsibility as the game may “damage youngsters’ health” psychologically and physically, he added.

Cao Can, an author and game player, however insisted the responsibility lay with the parents.

Gaming companies’ responsibility is to cater to shareholders and customers, he argued. Parents who complain about their children becoming addicted to the game and about the companies behind them like Tencent and NetEase, should try to fill their children’s schedule with alternative entertainment, he said.

The King of Glory, launched by Tencent in 2015, now has more than 200 million registered players, 54 percent of whom range from 18 to 28 years old.

But there has been concern about the impact of the game on young players after a number of incidents.

A 17-year-old gamer in South China’s Guangdong province reportedly suffered a stroke earlier this year after playing the game non-stop for 40 hours. An 11-year-old girl also apparently spent about 100,000 yuan (about 15,000 US dollars) using her parents’ credit cards to buy weapons in the game.

Under public pressure, Tencent has started limiting playing time for youngsters. Those under 12 can play no more than one hour a day and cannot play after 9:00 p.m., while those aged 12 to 18 old can play no more than two hours a day.

Speaking to The Point, Xu said youngsters who have difficulties communicating with their parents, teachers and peers can turn to the game, where they can play a role they have dreamed of.

However, there is a risk that in young players, games with historical figures will “be distorting history (and make it) hard for them to accept real history” later on in their schooling, he warned.

The Point with Liu Xin is a 30-minute current affairs program on CGTN. It airs weekdays at 9.30 p.m. BJT (1330GMT), with rebroadcasts at 5.30 a.m. (2130GMT) and 10.30 a.m. (0230GMT).