China has suspended approval for all new games in a bid to curb gaming addiction among the youth, according to a report from news agency Reuters.
The decision was taken at a meeting between Chinese authorities and gaming giants Tencent and NetEase, neither of whom have commented on the move so far.
While current games can continue to operate as per increasingly stringent rules, no new online games can release until the country lifts this suspension. It is not currently clear how long this suspension will last.
Also Read: China's 'youth video game addiction': gamers only allowed to play 3 hours a week
Recently, China moved to ban children under 18 from playing games for more than 3 hours per week, as the country moves to curb the prevalence of gaming, something it once referred to as ‘spiritual opium’.
The restrictions apply on all devices, including phones.