Regulating Play: Key Features of the State Control in the Chinese Gaming Industry

The study "Regulating Play: Key Features of the State Control in the Chinese Gaming Industry" examines the Chinese state's regulatory approach to its domestic gaming sector, focusing on censorship and internet addiction controls. It argues that the state's control is characterized by flexibility, cost-effectiveness, contingency, and class-related features, enabling it to achieve national development and social stability with maximum efficiency and minimal cost.

The research employs a political economy perspective, utilizing document analysis and in-depth interviews. It investigates specific aspects of state intervention, including differentiated treatment of game types in the approval process, selective regulations on internet addiction, and censorship mechanisms. This approach aims to provide a nuanced interpretation of the Chinese state's role, moving beyond essentialist critiques often found in Western liberal discourse.

The study addresses a gap in existing Chinese game studies by extending insights from research on state power in China's broader media industry to the gaming sector. It highlights how the state's regulatory framework is designed to be adaptable and efficient in achieving its governance objectives within the rapidly evolving gaming landscape.