Meanwhile in China:
Interfax China: Chinese Governments Set Limits
So now you know; three hours is 'Healthy', five is 'Tiring' and more than five is 'Unhealthy'. I guess I fall into the Unhealthy bracket then, most nights. To be honest, I tend to agree, but would still like for it to be my decision. Lifestyles vary, and I think very few people are so hopelessly addicted to these games that if they did have something more important to be doing, they wouldn't stop playing and get on with it.
Five hours might seem like a long time, but if you'd just be watching TV or staring at the wall instead, it's probably not such a objectionable waste of time really.
Still, that's not up to the Chinese anymore. Thinking back to my gaming experiences, I'm not sure if there was anything I couldn't have gotten done in three hours, but I'd guess that some of the more elaborate end-game raiding must take longer to organise, plan and execute in most games. What is curious is that they are implementing it by tweaking around with character stats and xp and loot gain - a sort of reverse 'resting' effect, instead of simply blocking the account for five hours. In a way, it amounts to enforced casual gaming, a stick being applied where normally it's a carrot; EQ2's 'Vitality', UO's 'Power Hour' and WoW's 'Resting'.
I think they've seriously missed the point somehow though, as these measures simply mean three hours of full-on hardcore grinding, followed by as many hours as they like of sitting around in the guild-house chatting or crafting or whatever other social, secondary gameplay exists.
We bitch about there not being enough, but even in the most rudementary MMO, there still exists quite a lot to do that doesn't involve stats or xp. Even trade channel spamming, if all else fails.
China really do seem to be taking the lead on addressing the whole MMO Social Issues thing, as seen here with PvP:
MMORPG.com: Feature on Chinese PvP Legislation
I'm left wondering which to be more concerned about; a culture that cares too much, or a culture that doesn't seem to care at all. Regardless, watch that space - I doubt the Chinese Government is finished yet...