Mandatory Real-Name Verification Introduced for Online Games in China

Chinese authorities are planning to change user authentication rules for online gaming, requiring gamers in China to play video games online using their real names, according to the South China Morning Post.

Officials claim that mandatory real-name verification is necessary to limit the amount of time children spend playing games. Starting in September, underage gamers will be allowed to play for up to one and a half hours on weekdays and no more than three hours on weekends. However, it is still unclear how exactly the system will work in practice.

Some major video game publishers in China, such as Tencent, are already using similar systems. For example, the game Honour of Kings features facial recognition technology. Despite these measures, minors are actively trying to bypass the restrictions. As reported by the South China Morning Post, at least one child pretended to be his own grandfather when speaking with customer support. Others use fake documents or visit special gaming centers that help them get around verification.

China is actively fighting against illegal online games and games containing “unhealthy” content. Law enforcement agencies have shut down games that allegedly “incite users to engage in illegal activities such as drug trafficking and prostitution.”