A proposal from China’s top gaming companies, including Tencent Holdings and NetEase, for an age rating system in the country is an attempt to demonstrate self-regulation to Beijing, which has been on a drive to curb gaming and internet addiction among the nation’s youth.
“In terms of the gaming industry, participants should not only obey rules from the top authorities but also, at their own initiative, carry out self-regulation,” said IDC China industry analyst Tan Rui. “The age rating system is just a proposal at this stage, unlikely to be applied soon, and should not hurt the industry as it mainly applies to minors.”