Tencent, NetEase Games Approved for Launch in China

China’s National Press and Publication Administration released the approval information of imported online games in 2023 on March 20, and a total of 27 games were approved. NetEase‘s “Audition: Everybody Party” and Bilibili‘s “Pretty Derby,” and Tencent‘s “Merge Mansion” are all on this list.

For online games, the approval numbers are actually a “business license” for their online operation. Whether to obtain them is closely related to the progress of new games and the profits of developers. According to regulations, all online games must complete the approval before they can be opened to Chinese users and officially put into operation.

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According to public information, before imported online games are able to officially enter the approval process, the game company needs to submit an Application for Publishing Internet Game Works Authorized by Overseas Copyright Owners, which not only needs to provide the examination and approval department with basic information such as the name of the game in English and Chinese, the copyright owner, the country or region where it is from, but also needs to further explain the classification of the game abroad.

It is also needed to explain the specific operation of the game abroad, which must include the earliest time and place of listing of the game abroad, the country or region where it is still operating, the number of users of the game abroad, market revenue, social impact, etc.

In addition, the game company also needs to apply for Copyright Contract Registration and Filing in advance and can only apply for publication after being officially approved by China’s National Copyright Administration.

On December 28 of 2022, the National Press and Publication Administration released the approval information of imported online games in 2022, and a total of 44 games were approved. There were 76 games approved in 2021 and 97 in 2020.