Reported by Zhu Weijing, a journalist from 21st Century Business Herald, and Wu Liyang, a journalist from Southern Finance Media in Shanghai
On December 25th, the State Administration of Press and Publication announced the version numbers of domestic online games for December, and 105 new games were approved. Tencent's "Rebellion: The Future" and NetEase's "Firefly Assault" are among them.
The new batch of license plates is a new batch of domestic online game license plates approved and released by the State Administration of Press and Publication, following the approval of a new batch of imported online game license plates on December 22. It is worth noting that this version number is issued before the opening of the trading day.
The Game Working Committee of Yinshu Association stated, "In December, the number of newly approved domestic online game licenses exceeded 100, continuously releasing positive signals to support the prosperous and healthy development of the online game industry."
Previously, on the afternoon of December 22nd, the National Press and Publication Administration announced a new batch of imported game licenses, and 40 new games were approved.
On December 22nd, the State Administration of Press and Publication officially released the "Regulations on the Administration of Online Games (Draft for Comments)", which added multiple requirements specifically for the commercial design of game products, This includes "online games are not allowed to set daily login, first recharge, continuous recharge and other inducement rewards", "all online games must set user recharge limits", and "the same enterprise is not allowed to operate online game coin distribution and online game coin trading services simultaneously". After the release of the Opinion Draft, dozens of media game stocks fell to the limit in response. As of the closing of the Hong Kong stock market in the afternoon, Tencent and NetEase, the two leading companies, fell more than 12% and 24% respectively.
Subsequently, multiple listed game companies responded to the draft comments.
NetEase Games stated that in the past few years, under the guidance of industry regulatory authorities, the gaming industry has maintained a good development momentum and made significant progress in key areas such as the protection of minors. We believe that the release of this draft for soliciting opinions is mainly to address the lack of relevant management measures after 2019, and will not have a fundamental impact on NetEase's business.
Zhang Wei, Vice President of Tencent Games, responded that since the release of the new regulations on minors in 2021, Tencent has been strictly implementing management requirements. Currently, the game duration and consumption data of minors are at the lowest level in history. The draft for soliciting opinions has not fundamentally changed key elements such as the business model and operational rhythm of the game. The regulatory authorities have released a draft of new management measures for soliciting opinions from the industry and society, believing that it is more conducive to the orderly and healthy development of the gaming industry. Tencent Games will continue to adhere to the high-quality strategy of technological innovation and cultural leadership, and with the support of regulatory authorities, practice the high-quality development of China's gaming industry.
Heartbeat Company stated that it will actively cooperate with the implementation of the new regulations. At the same time, the company also stated that its self-developed products have always adhered to a differentiated and high-quality research and development orientation, and have never relied on strong operational methods such as first charge rebates and daily check-in. The company will fully implement the spirit of the new regulations and specific measures to jointly promote the healthy development of the industry.
Century Huatong responded that both in terms of the content of the draft for soliciting opinions and the regulatory policies of the industry since the beginning of this year, it has always been consistent, that is, the goal of promoting high-quality development of the gaming industry, and there are many highlights in this new regulation that deserve careful study. One is to clarify the role of age appropriate reminders more clearly. The second is to clarify for the first time the main responsibilities of all parties involved in the protection of minors. The third is to guide the industry to develop more rationally and explore a healthy operating ecosystem. Fourthly, we will encourage innovation in high-quality products with a more distinctive approach. Finally, listening to the voices of the whole society and seeking consensus in discussions is the key to forming a truly upward force in the industry.
China Mobile Games stated that under the guidance of relevant industry regulatory authorities and after several years of practice, the gaming industry has achieved significant results in high-quality development, minors, consumer rights, user privacy protection, and other issues. The company has also actively cooperated in implementing relevant national regulations in these areas. In response to the release of this opinion draft, China Mobile Games believes that it is a measure of the market dislocation of relevant management measures since the reform of ministries and commissions in 2019, and it is also a practical requirement for continuously improving the modernization level of the digital economy governance system and governance capacity. China Mobile Games will continue to actively participate in soliciting opinions and feedback, support and assist the competent authorities in revising and improving regulations and provisions. China Mobile Games believes that relevant regulatory authorities will continue to support the gaming industry in contributing their efforts to the overall economic development of the country through "industrial digitization and digital industrialization", and promoting the long-term, orderly, and high-quality development of the gaming industry.