Curse

Dumb Quixote · Aug 25, 2005, 02:57 PM // 14:57

"The Chinese Government unveiled a new system Tuesday to prevent individuals from playing online games for more than three consecutive hours, which must be installed for every online game in the country."

More:
http://www.interfax.cn/showfeature.asp?aid=4913

Arseonist · Aug 25, 2005, 03:13 PM // 15:13

That is just plain crazy. Imagine what would happen if the US of A decided to limit gaming time. People would riot in the streets!

Oh, and I like how they said that "playing for less than 3 hours is healthy".

ayb · Aug 25, 2005, 03:37 PM // 15:37

"peoples republic" my ass. i dont know who they think they're fooling with that double-talk.

Hoyt · Aug 25, 2005, 04:00 PM // 16:00

Wow.
That is so wrong on so many levels.

I thought this was bad(see link)...but...wow.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/stor...501184,00.html

/jaw dropped
/dumbfounded

DISCLAIMER NOTE: The following is a rambling babble-Proper grammer and spelling have been ignored.

How can game companies allow that sort of thing to happen?
Isn't it a blatant hack?
If it can cut gamers levels and drops, what's to stop it from doing the exact opposite?
…It's not like The Peoples' Republic has a history of honoring copyrights or EULAs.
If it is to protect young gamers, does that mean adult gamers will have the option of disconnecting the timer?
Is it actually a "preventative" or is it just a Peoples Republic cyber-version of the “Berlin Wall”?
Are the folks in China allowed NO form of escapism?

Holy repression of the masses, Batman!

Macievelli · Aug 25, 2005, 04:14 PM // 16:14

Freedom: "Exemption from the arbitrary exercise of authority in the performance of a specific action...the power to engage in certain actions without control or interference."

Communism: A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single, often authoritarian party holds power, claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people.

Video games, in essence, seem to go against the very nature of the political structure of the country. It's no wonder that they are limiting them. They are aimed at individualism, not collectivism. They are designed for individual pleasure and are of no inherent value beyond entertainment. They take the proletariat away from producing for the state, thus weakening the economy.

Now, before I get bombarded with hate and flames, above I'm just trying to state facts, not opinions. Below is my opinion:

I'm American, and this is just one more reason I love this country. I can completely waste my entire social life playinig guild wars without having to worry if the People's Security Force is going to kick my door in and take my PC away. It's no wonder that so many people are scrambling to get into this country. Can you blame them? The Western Hemisphere rocks!

God bless America!

SOT · Aug 25, 2005, 05:36 PM // 17:36

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA There go 65% of the farmer bots! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Arturo02 · Aug 25, 2005, 05:37 PM // 17:37

figures WoW and Lineage II would sign on. They will do anything to out-prostitute each other for subscribers. They want that China market badly.

Acan Vishnu · Aug 25, 2005, 05:51 PM // 17:51

Think about it for a second, any MMO would be more than happy to have its players limited to 3hrs on, 5hrs off. The players still have to pay the same monthly fee, but they can't play the game as much. They probably see it as a nice way to save on server costs without suffering any repercussions, all they have to do is point to the chinese government and say "Hey, its not our fault, we're just doing as they say."

SOT · Aug 25, 2005, 05:54 PM // 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acan Vishnu

Think about it for a second, any MMO would be more than happy to have its players limited to 3hrs on, 5hrs off. The players still have to pay the same monthly fee, but they can't play the game as much. They probably see it as a nice way to save on server costs without suffering any repercussions, all they have to do is point to the chinese government and say "Hey, its not our fault, we're just doing as they say."

And it utterly cuts in half the bot potential there. That is wonderful news

chalt2 · Aug 25, 2005, 06:00 PM // 18:00

I find it humorous, that people are still shocked and or surprised about a communist, dictatorial government with a long history of putting the clamps down on it's people, doing it again. I'm sure they will continue to do so long into the future.

Crimson_1190 · Aug 25, 2005, 06:06 PM // 18:06

my only shock on the issue was hearing that the MMO companies were complying with this....

ifuwerepbandj · Aug 25, 2005, 06:10 PM // 18:10

At first I thought this was a joke...but I guess it just shows how good we have it here.

PhineasToke · Aug 25, 2005, 06:17 PM // 18:17

But they aren't limiting the time their crackers are using trying to get into our National websites and test their security or find holes to exploit. I guess spying is ok but enjoyment is frowned upon.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...402318_pf.html

chalt2 · Aug 25, 2005, 06:25 PM // 18:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crimson_1190

my only shock on the issue was hearing that the MMO companies were complying with this....

What would the alternative be for a company that has a vested interest in maintaining the sizable customer base that China provides them?

Turn it off and loose the revenue? not likely

Crimson_1190 · Aug 25, 2005, 06:27 PM // 18:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalt2

What would the alternative be for a company that has a vested interest in maintaining the sizable customer base that China provides them?

Turn it off and loose the revenue? not likely

I know I know....it is just a little sad that a capitolist enterprise uses communism as a source of revenue....well more ironic given fact that the converse would not be permitted....now would it

EchoSex · Aug 25, 2005, 06:59 PM // 18:59

See, this is why I love living here in the red, white and blue. People whine alot, but atleast we don't have an internet parent slapping your wrists saying "NO!"

SOT · Aug 26, 2005, 12:31 AM // 00:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalt2

I find it humorous, that people are still shocked and or surprised about a communist, dictatorial government with a long history of putting the clamps down on it's people, doing it again. I'm sure they will continue to do so long into the future.

They do it daily, it only becomes spotlight material if it touches a fraction of an inch of the aspect of our lives that we care to take notice. People die in China everyday for saying "no" to things we expect to be granted.

Amazing how a game situation suddenly opens the veritable floodgates on the crusaders, who only days before heard the term China and said aloud "Jackie Chan" "Bots" and "dog eating".

Nice, people, really nice.

Guillaume De Sonoma · Aug 26, 2005, 12:48 AM // 00:48

Anyone remember this i'm pretty sure SOT and Echo Sex will so here's the video:

http://www.cnn.com/resources/video.a...anks.27sec.mov

He has got some serious courage or balls especialy at Tiananmen Square in 1989. Serious faith, balls, or stupidity not sure which but he's got it.

EchoSex · Aug 26, 2005, 12:53 AM // 00:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guillaume De Sonoma

Anyone remember this i'm pretty sure SOT and Echo Sex will so here's the video:

http://www.cnn.com/resources/video.a...anks.27sec.mov

He has got some serious courage or balls especialy at Tiananmen Square in 1989. Serious faith, balls, or stupidity not sure which but he's got it.

Yes I remember that, the student revolution. That, my friends, is a guy who deserves some praise. It may be old news, but it's still good news. I'll just say be gratefull for where you live, no matter how much you hate it, and if you lash out against it and make it public, just remember - your head aint gonna get chopped off for saying such things, where as in some places, you'd be dead if you even THOUGHT of saying something against the country.