China unveils new gaming curbs, sending tech stocks tumbling

SHANGHAI, China (AFP) – China on Friday announced new plans to restrict the online gaming industry, sending shares in tech giants including Tencent tumbling.

New draft restrictions published online by the regulator are aimed at limiting in-game purchases and compulsive playing behavior.

Following the news, Tencent dropped over 10 percent in Hong Kong, while rival Netease was down more than 20 percent.

Beijing first moved against the gaming sector in 2021 as part of a sprawling crackdown on big tech, including a strict cap on the amount of time children could spend playing online.

An end to a freeze in gaming licenses had raised hopes that the focus on the industry had subsided.

But the draft regulations announced Friday would introduce limits on recharging in-game wallets and abolish features meant to increase gameplay time such as rewards for daily log-ins.

Pop-ups warning users of "irrational" playing behavior would also have to be introduced.

The draft regulations also reiterate a ban on "forbidden online game content... that endangers national unity" and "endangers national security or harms national reputation and interests".

Tencent is the global leader in the sector in terms of revenue, dominating the Asian market and investing in game studios across the world.

While its stock plummeted Friday, some independent game studios said the regulations could prove an opportunity.

Cheng Gong, CEO of Chengdu-based Hanjia Songshu, said studios that focus more on innovation and high-quality user experience might benefit.

"The industry felt a bit like bad money driving out good money in the past," he told AFP.

"Everyone is focusing on getting players to top up more. Only the ones with the most revenues can afford to spend more money on advertising and hence they would get more players topping up in return," he added.

"It's a vicious circle."