China to Limit Online Game Time

In an effort to prevent people from becoming addicted to online games, the Chinese Government is implementing a system that will penalize those who play for more than 3 consecutive hours. "The new system cuts the ability level of a player's online game character by half after he or she has played for more than three consecutive hours. Once a player has played for more than five consecutive hours, the system cuts the ability level of that player's character to the lowest level allowed by the game." Interfax China has more details on the plan, which should come into effect in late 2005 or early 2006. It's sure going to make it hard to keep a group together for some of the lengthier dungeons in World of Warcraft. I wonder how they intend to keep people from simply switching games every 3 hours.