From Marketwatch:
“Enforcement of rules is always spotty in China, and a new so-called “fatigue system” for online games will be no exception, which is great news for investors in the booming online game industry.
The fatigue system designed to wean young Chinese gamers away from heroin-esque, all-night bouts of online multiplayer role-playing action, has been looming over the industry since senior Beijing officials started talking about restricting young players in mid-2005.
Formally announced by China’s General Administration of Press and Publications last Monday, the system has been in trial use in games operated by Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd.,The9 Limited, Netease.com Inc, Sina Corp., and Kingsoft, among other companies. The fatigue system reminds me a bit of underage drinking laws back in America: those who want to can easily circumvent any obstacle, no matter how imposing, while restrictions are irrelevant for the rest. Furthermore, such rules tend to heighten the desire of the targeted customers, especially when the product is an addictive one. As the old saw says, “People want what they can’t have”. [Full Text]
