Jun 2, 2006, 7:42 GMT
Hanoi - The government of Vietnam is limiting the number of hours that its citizens can spend playing online computer games, an official said Friday.
Regulations go into effect this month to deter playing by preventing gamers from earning points after more than five-hours online. A player's virtual character will only be able to earn half the normal amount of points after the first three-hours of play.
'According to the ordinance, the providers of online games will have to develop software that monitors playing time and controls the scores,' said Vu Xuan Thanh, head of the Inspection Department at the Ministry of Culture and Information.
The government is hoping to deter people, especially children, from spending countless hours playing games accessed via the Internet.
The new regulations also require that online players under the age of 14 be accompanied by an adult. Gaming shops must close at 11 pm.
An estimated two million Vietnamese regularly play online computer games. In Hanoi, neighborhood gaming shops are filled with children even into the evening hours.
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