China govt to crack down on foreign online games
World of Warcraft could be targeted in an attempt to stem outside influences
The Chinese government department which deals with the import of foreign videogames into the country, the General Administration of Press and Publication, has announced that it plans to tighten restrictions.
It will crack down on approval criteria in an apparent bid to protect its domestic online games business, as well as "avoid the excessive penetration of foreign culture among Chinese youth," reports JLM Pacific Epoch.
Those words from Digital Publishing Bureau director Kou Xiaowei also included a reference to World of Warcraft, published in the region by The9, which is still awaiting approval for the Wrath of the Lich King expansion's release in the region.
GAPP will communicate the new policies and processes in a meeting with online games companies this week.