China approves 45 foreign video game licenses, eases crackdown

China’s National Press and Publication Administration has approved 45 foreign video games to be published in the country, Reuters reported. The body has also greenlit the release of 84 local titles. This comes after the country’s strict crackdown on the gaming industry since last August.

Though it is the largest globally, China’s gaming sector is limited by a strict regulatory process that requires publishers to have a license before releasing their products in the country.

Tech giant Tencent and its affiliated companies also received six licenses this month, with ByteDance, NetEase, iDreamSky, and XD Inc receiving similar approvals in the same time span.

Recently approved games include Valorant, Pokemon Unite, Don’t Starve, and Gwent: The Witcher Card Game.

The number of issued licenses has dropped drastically over the years. In 2017, 456 games were approved, while 2021 saw only 76 titles being greenlit.

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