China suspends approval for all new online games in bid to curb gaming addiction: report

<p>China has suspended approval for all new games in a bid to curb gaming addiction among the youth, according to a report from news agency Reuters.</p> <p>The decision was taken at a meeting between Chinese authorities and gaming giants Tencent and NetEase, neither of whom have commented on the move so far.</p> <p>While current games can continue to operate as per increasingly stringent rules, no new online games can release until the country lifts this suspension.&nbsp;It is not currently clear how long this suspension will last.</p> <p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=https://www.editorji.com/story/china-s-youth-video-game-addiction-gamers-only-allowed-to-play-3-hours-a-week-1630343938270 target=_blank>Chinas youth video game addiction: gamers only allowed to play 3 hours a week</a></p> <p>Recently, China moved to ban children under 18 from playing games for more than 3 hours per week, as the country moves to curb the prevalence of gaming, something it once referred to as &lsquo;spiritual opium&rsquo;.</p> <p>The restrictions apply on all devices, including phones.</p>