網游實名(wǎngyóu shímíng): Real name registration for online games

According to an announcement by the Ministry of Culture in December 2016, as of Monday all companies operating online games are required to ensure all users register with their real names.

The online game operators should also not provide services to the users that allow them to exchange virtual items in the online games for money, and they are not allowed to provide any services to users that log into the game as guests.

The requirement for real name registration for online games is aimed at safeguarding the legal rights and interests of the users, especially the juveniles.

To effectively implement real name registration for online games, the Ministry of Culture will further strengthen its supervision over online game operations during and after the process.

In addition, the game operators are required to block unhealthy content in the online games for juvenile users.