CHINA approved new licenses for 105 domestic online games for December, China’s press and publication administration said in a statement yesterday. The titles included those operated by Tencent Holdings Ltd. and NetEase Inc., China’s two leading game publishers. The approvals show the authorities support the development of online gaming, an industry association said in a post on WeChat republished by the Xinhua news agency. China’s top gaming regulator National Press and Publication Administration announced Friday new rules governing the development of online games, including an unspecified cap on spending by adult players. Additional restrictions include a ban on rewards for frequent log-ins and forced player-duels and a prohibition on content that violates national security. The administration said Saturday that it will listen to feedback from stakeholders including companies and players to improve the rules. “The latest events reflect the government’s desire for a larger, more diverse gaming landscape with innovative content of a higher quality but one without excessive monetization or ‘pay-to-win’ games,” said Yang Wenfeng, a senior vice president with Shanghai-based games studio Paper Games. “The government prefers publishers to earn profits through fair practices and product innovation, rather than deepening monetization strategies.” (SD-Agencies) | 