Negative energy: A file picture showing a child playing the game “Honour of Kings” at home in Dezhou, China. The People’s Daily has criticised Tencent’s top-grossing game, citing it as an example of how addictive games spread “negative energy.” — Reuters
BEIJING: China is stepping up its scrutiny of online and mobile games, as the leading government-owned newspaper blasted Tencent Holdings Ltd’s top-grossing Honour of Kings for harming children in the pursuit of profit.
The People’s Daily criticised Tencent’s most profitable smartphone title in an editorial, citing it as an example of how addictive games spread “negative energy” and have even led to deaths. The harshly worded opinion piece came after China’s biggest messaging and games company declared curbs on playing time for the minors among the title’s estimated 100 million-plus monthly active users.
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