#GamingAddiction: Tencent to restrict teens' online gaming time
In a rather surprising but welcoming move, Tencent has made ID-verification mandatory for all its video game players. The company, according to a report in Wall Street Journal, is aiming to tackle gaming addiction in China by imposing play time limits, based on the age of the players. The verification system is already in the works and will be rolled out completely by 2019.
Play time limits to be imposed for those under 18
By verifying identities of the players, Tencent's games will trigger certain restrictions. As part of this, kids aged 12 or below will get one hour of daily play time, while those aged between 13 and 18 will get up to two hours to play. However, night-time restrictions will apply to both age groups, barring them from playing between 9:00 pm and 8:00 am.
Interestingly, China is world's biggest video game market
China is the world's biggest market for video games with more than 600 million individuals playing mobile or online games. Obviously, there are concerns regarding youth being addicted to many of these games.
All popular titles to have verification system
While announcing the move, Tencent confirmed that all of its titles will be integrated with their ID-verification system. One popular mobile game from the company, Honor of Kings, already uses the system, while 10 others will get it by the end of this year. Rest of the games will get verification support by 2019, the company added.
Statement from the company
"Minor protection is an important task that the whole society pays close attention to," the company said in a social media post. "Tencent has a high degree of responsibility and obligation," it further added.
Meanwhile, how will IDs be verified?
Details are limited at this stage, but the report suggests the verification system will revolve around checking the players' identities and ages against police databases. Tencent has also stressed on applying cutting-edge technology into the process, which may come in the form of facial recognition. The tech was tested last month for age, identity verification in Honor of Kings.
