It’s game over for China’s youth.

Branded as ‘spiritual opium’, gaming is the latest industry the Chinese government has cracked down on. China’s National Press and Publication Administration announced via its state-run news media outlet, Xinhua, that youths aged 18 and below will only be allowed to play video games between 8 pm to 9 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Gaming companies will have to comply with this new law by ensuring that those under 18 cannot access their platforms outside the stipulated time. Companies must ensure that users use their real identities, including verified phone numbers, when registering and logging on.

This news comes as little surprise as Chinese authorities have long viewed online gaming with contempt. The authorities consider the addictive nature of online gaming as hurting the well-being of the nation’s youth. In 2019, Beijing imposed a set of rules dictating a time limit of 90 minutes of gameplay a day for minors, with added restrictions of a complete ban during 10 pm and 8 am. One of China’s dominant players in the industry, Tencent, has even implemented facial recognition to ensure its users comply with these rules back in July 2021.

The new ruling comes as a boon to parents across China who see it as a positive move by the government. However, critics and gamers alike have voiced their displeasure on the Chinese social media platform, Weibo, at what they see as a clear overreach by the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) powers. However, venting online seems to be the only option for those opposing the new rules. The Chinese government is well-known for implementing sweeping changes in whichever industry it chooses with virtually no resistance. For now, it seems like it’s game over for Chinese youths.