The last time Tencent received a major license was in May 2021.
China has granted tech giant Tencent its first license for a video game in 18 months, ending a drought that threatened its position as the world’s top game maker.
Beijing turned against the country’s vibrant gaming sector last year as part of a broad crackdown on major companies. technology companyincludes a limit on how long children can play the game.
Officials also froze approval of new titles for nine months through April.
China’s gaming regulator, the National Press and Publication Administration, on Thursday said it approved 70 new titles in November, including Tencent’s. action game “Metal Slug: Awakening” and the role-playing game “Journey to the West: Return” by rival NetEase.
A game license is required for video games published and sold in the Chinese market.
The last time Tencent received a major license was in May 2021.
A subsidiary of Tencent received a license in September but it’s a free educational game.
Shares of the Hong Kong-listed company rose 0.5% in early trading on Friday following the license announcement, while NetEase gained 5%.
The approval signals an easing of China’s strict attitude towards technology companies.
During the technology crackdown, hundreds of game manufacturers have pledged to remove “politically harmful” content from their products and enforce restrictions on underage players in order to comply with government requirements.
Strict restrictions announced last year allow players under the age of 18 to play three hours a week.
© 2022 AFP
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