Tencent blocks Chinese gamers’ access to foreign games

This is a sign of tightening compliance as Chinese regulators more closely scrutinize the industry.

Tencent, which provides media, entertainment, Internet and mobile phone value-added services, and operates online advertising services in China, said on May 31, the company This will update mobile and desktop game accelerators to new versions, which only support games that work in China. The new versions will no longer allow users to access foreign games.

Tencent first launched apps in 2018. Such apps, which other companies like NetEase Inc also offer, act as network accelerators that help users increase their Internet speed.

Unlike most other countries, gamer in China only allowed to play games approved by the Government of this country and not allowed to play foreign games on foreign servers. Although such foreign games are not blocked by online restrictions, Internet speeds in China are generally too slow for players to access them.

Playing computer games online at an Internet cafe in Beijing, China. (Photo: Reuters)

As a result, many gamers in China have actually used these apps to access unapproved foreign games like Grand Theft Auto or Nintendo’s Animal Crossing. Over the years, these apps have also become a “gray zone” channel for foreign game developers to access users in the world’s largest game market, China.

Tencent declined to provide further comment on why it decided to make the changes to the app.

This move disappointed Chinese gamers, but many say that this is not surprising.

The ban comes days after China lifted a nine-month freeze on gaming licenses. During this period, game developers, including Tencent, made major adjustments to their business practices to comply with Chinese government regulations and requirements.

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