As a crackdown on porn and other “suspicious” online content continues apace, China now plans a ratings system for Internet games, books, and films, “to protect children from violence and sexual content,” according to reports in the Chinese and the world press.
Due to begin at October’s end, the ratings system will start with online games before moving to books and movies, dividing games into five categories and based on factors like horror and violence and sexual content, according to state-run Shanghai Daily.
The ratings will be games suitable for all (or “green” games); games suitable for junior high school and high school students and older; games for high schoolers and older; games for 18-year-olds and older; and, games for adults. Most Chinese online gamers are 25 years old and under, according to state media figures, with the total number expected to approach 42 million in three years.
"We plan to strongly promote 'green games' across the country and they may even become teaching aids in the future," China Youth Association for Network Development head Shao Youde told the paper, which offered no details as to just how the ratings system for books and movies would take effect.
Most of China's 14 million online gamers are under 25, according to state media reports. The number of players is expected to soar to almost 42 million by 2007.
The domestic online games industry earned revenues totaling $160 million in 2003, and contributed $1.8 billion to other industries such as telecommunications and media, the reports said.
