Update: Chinese Real Name Registration Explained

16 Jan 2009 at 16:49:24 by Andy Alderson

A Chinese gamer has spoken to IncGamers about the confusion surrounding China's real name registration initiative for online gaming.

A gamer with the screen name Kuangtu said the real name registration system does not mean that gamers cannot use screen-names, but rather that their online gaming accounts must be linked to their real world identification number, which is issued by the government.

"[T]he reason why they are doing this is because so many minors are addicted to games", said Kuangtu.

"There are a LOT of web bars."

He went on to explain that linking a gamer's online account to their ID number means the government can keep track of how long underage gamers are playing. Minors are limited to playing for three hours per day, after which they will not be able to play the game. 

"[A]fter that the system will prevent the gamer from getting experience, good, drops or whatever the regular gamer gets in a game."

However, the system is not without flaws, as Kuangtu explained.

"Kids still can play one game for three hours then switch to another.  To be honest, the system sucks. It can't completely prohibit kids' addiction to games, but at least it's a good start."

He believes gaming addiction is a significant problem in Chinese society. "Kids were playing games all the time after class, or even skip[ping] classes. They [are] addicted to the game", he said.

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