This article is part of a 10 part series on gaming and esports trends for 2023
In recent years, gaming has exploded in popularity across Asia. With the rise of smartphones and mobile technology, more and more people are turning to their devices for entertainment and leisure activities, including gaming.
As a result, many Asian countries have begun to develop new regulations and policies to govern the mobile gaming industry. These regulations aim to protect consumers, ensure fair practices, and prevent potential harm from excessive gaming.
In China, for example, the government has implemented strict regulations on mobile gaming to combat gaming addiction and protect young people from potential harm. These regulations include limiting the amount of time that players can spend on a single game, as well as implementing age verification systems to prevent underage players from accessing certain games.
Similarly, in South Korea, the government has implemented a number of measures to curb gaming addiction among young people. These measures include limiting the amount of time that players can spend on certain games, as well as implementing blackout periods during which certain games cannot be played.
In other countries, such as Japan and Taiwan, regulations on mobile gaming are less strict, but still aim to protect consumers and ensure fair practices. In Japan, for example, the government has implemented regulations on in-game purchases to prevent players from spending excessive amounts of money on virtual items. In Taiwan, regulations focus on ensuring that mobile games are not harmful to players, and that players are not exploited for their personal data.
Esports has also increased in popularity across Asia, leading to the need for new regulations and policies to ensure fair play and prevent corruption.
One of the most notable examples of this is in South Korea, where the Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA) has been established to oversee the industry and enforce regulations. KeSPA has implemented strict regulations on player contracts, game scheduling, and player behavior, as well as establishing a Code of Conduct for players and coaches.
In Japan, the Japan Esports Union (JeSU) was established in 2018 to regulate and promote the esports industry in the country. JeSU has implemented rules and regulations on player contracts, game schedules, and player behavior, and has also established a system for player registration and licensing. In addition, the Japanese government has also introduced new policies to support the development of esports in the country, including the creation of a national team for the Asian Games and the inclusion of esports as an official medal event in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
China has also implemented new regulations and policies for the gaming and esports industry. The General Administration of Sport of China has established the Esports Management Center, which oversees the industry and enforces regulations. The center has implemented rules on player contracts, game schedules, and player behavior, as well as establishing a system for player registration and licensing.
In addition to these national regulations, various esports leagues and tournaments have also implemented their own policies and regulations. For example, the popular League of Legends Pro League (LPL) in China has implemented rules on player contracts, game schedules, and player behavior, as well as establishing a Code of Conduct for players and coaches.
Overall, the development of new regulations and policies in the gaming and esports industry in Asian countries reflects the growing importance of this industry in the region. As mobile gaming continues to grow, it is likely that we will see further developments in this area, as governments and regulators strive to protect consumers and ensure that the industry operates in a fair and responsible manner.