To successfully publish your game in China and comply with the laws and regulations, we’ve outlined the essential requirements and provided specific guidance to help you navigate the process.
1. Game Startup Procedure
Before the game begins, ensure that a screen displaying the required “Healthy Gaming Advice” is shown:
健康游戏忠告
抵制不良游戏，拒绝盗版游戏。
注意自我保护，谨防受骗上当。
适度游戏益脑，沉迷游戏伤身。
合理安排时间，享受健康生活。
To clarify, here is the translated version. Display the Chinese version on your app:
Health Game Advisory
Resist unhealthy games and refuse pirated games.
Pay attention to self-protection and be wary of scams.
Moderate gaming is good for the mind, while excessive gaming is harmful to the body.
Arrange your time wisely and enjoy a healthy life.
After this, a special page must display the game copyright owner, publisher, NPPA game license number (ISBN / GRN), and other approval document numbers as appropriate.
Like all mobile apps, your game must include a privacy policy and terms of service that users must agree to. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is very stringent regarding the content and scope of these policies and how they are displayed to the user.
For further information, refer to Method for Determining Illegal and Improper Collection and Use of Personal Information by Apps.
2. Game Content Restrictions
In addition to the types of games that are not allowed, here is a comprehensive overview of in-game content that could lead to rejection of your mobile game license application in China. These restrictions encompass language, script, story, maps and scenes, character designs and models, in-game items, music and sound effects, missions and quests, instructions, and advertisements in your mobile game.
Your mobile game cannot include any content that:
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“Opposes the basic principles established by the Constitution” and is interpreted as slandering or demeaning the military, government, socialist principles, Mao Zedong Thought, or the leadership.
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“Endangers national unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity” by misrepresenting Taiwan, Hong Kong, the South China Sea, and China’s established borders and political entities in real or even fictitious maps.
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Distorts historical facts about modern, historical, or Imperial China, or portrays its various ethnic groups in a negative light.
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Depicts real or fictitious foreign entities invading Chinese territory, embassies, waters, etc.
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For a detailed explanation and a thorough list of the 2016 guidelines, refer to our translation of the official 2016 Mobile Game Content Standards.
Link: Detailed List Of Restrictions
Note: Leveraging 21YunBox Compliance Suite ensures compliance with content guidelines. We offer APIs to help you audit your content, ensuring accurate information display and masking any “incorrect” information. Contact us to explore our compliance solutions.
3. Social and Communication Elements
If your game allows players to communicate within the game or post messages, you need an established method to control, monitor, and moderate this content. Submit your plan for dealing with reported issues and content takedowns here, and ensure you have filtering software to automatically block harmful and illegal content.
The 21YunBox Advantage
Publishing your mobile game in China requires a Chinese partner, and 21YunBox is the most trusted app and game publisher in the Chinese app market today. We offer generous revenue-sharing models, providing more money and flexibility, even for small and mid-tier mobile games. If your game gains a strong following in your home country, it is likely to reap even greater rewards in the Chinese market.
Contact our English-speaking team today, and let us simplify this intricate process for you.
