Policy cracks down on online game content

August 30, 2013 | 16:44

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Dozens of businesses producing and distributing illegal video games face closure following a government decree slated to take effect from September 1.

The decree governs the management, supply, and usage of internet services and online information.

The decree is aimed at helping develop online game businesses but also managing game content to prevent young people from being exposed to ‘social evils’.

According to deputy director Nguyen Hong Hai at Vietnam Data Communication Company (VDC), the law will help create more balance between online gaming businesses by enforcing content restrictions and protecting the best interests of players.

FPT Online deputy director Pham Cong Hoang asserted that game companies would act more responsibly after the decree becomes active.

The decree is reported to govern game content much more tightly than previous legislation, and make it more difficult for smaller businesses to get a license.

The decree dictates that games that contain too much violence or sexual content would not be allowed, and so would games that go against ‘traditional ethics, culture and customs, or distort and sabotage national history’.

Once the decree takes effect, over 200 unlicensed online games will have to get licenses to be lawful.

Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Information and Communication Nguyen Van Hung said that a panel of judges would be established to review unlicensed games and award licenses to games they determine to fulfill the decree’s procedures and requirements.

Vietnam’s online game sector reported sales of $286 million in 2012, with 7.500 direct and 100,000 indirect labourers.

By By Huu Tuan

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