The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

China bans The Sims

And 49 other games that might corrupt the nation's youth

See what The Register's experts have to say on application security

China has banned 50 computer games - to create "a good environment" for Chinese children.

Games given the thumbs-down include The Sims 2, Manhunt, FIFA 2005, Painkiller: Battle out of Hell, Age of Mythology: The Titans, Battlefield Vietnam, Conflict Vietnam, Vietcong: Fist Alpha and Devastation, local news agency Xinhuanet reported today.

The clampdown centres on pirate copies of the games listed, a sign of the country's greater willingness to protect intellectual property, Beijing said. However, motivation for the ban also comes from China's anti-pornography operation and press-monitoring programme, so it's unlikely that legitimate copies of the games will be permitted, either.

The country is keen to stamp out any content that might have a "negative influence" on Chinese youth, as Xinhuanet puts it.

Beijing has called upon local administrators to monitor software sellers and come down hard on anyone distributing any of the listed titles. ®

Related stories

Topless teen wins trivia game ban
New Zealand censor pulls Postal 2
Greece to face Euro court over video games ban
Australia bans Manhunt
Chinese government censors online games
Haitians seek Vice City ban

Join our expert panel in discussing application security

Don’t Miss

Win a Samsung C6625!

Reg Lucky Draw Windows Mobile handsets up for grabs

Palm_Pre_001_SMIs your cameraphone an oxymoron?

Pic Review iPhone 3G v iPhone 3GS v Palm Pre

Vulture logo with head phonesWindows 7, Bing and security: Mr Ballmer regrets

Steve hopes Microsoft money can buy your love

Sign up, sign up for The Register IT security newsletter

Narrowcasting for the email classes