China Removes Draft Gaming Curbs From Official Website
Beijing has removed the controversial draft guidelines aimed at the video game sector from its official government portal. The disappearance of the document, which previously outlined strict limitations on player spending and engagement, comes just weeks after its initial publication sparked a massive sell-off in the domestic gaming market.
The removal was first noted by analysts at Haitong Securities on Tuesday morning, who observed that the proposed curbs were no longer accessible. Following the development, shares of major industry players Tencent and NetEase saw an immediate boost. According to a note from Haitong analysts, the action suggests that regulators may be reconsidering the measures or planning significant revisions.
Market Impact and Regulatory Shift
The draft rules had previously wiped tens of billions of dollars from the market valuation of Chinese tech giants, catching both investors and gaming companies off guard. The proposals had aimed to restrict monetization and player behavior through several mechanisms:
- Elimination of daily login rewards that could encourage compulsive gaming habits.
- Implementation of strict caps on in-game purchases to limit overall consumer spending.
- Broad restrictions on time and money spent within computer and smartphone gaming environments.
Beyond the deletion of the draft, there are signs of internal friction regarding how these policies were introduced. Beijing recently dismissed a high-ranking official—the head of the publication bureau within the Communist Party’s Propaganda Department—linked to the handling of the draft’s rollout. Recent reports in local media further indicate that authorities may be softening their stance, signaling a potential retreat from the most restrictive aspects of the proposal.