The policy and practice of media regulation in China is quickly evolving to cope with the
regulatory challenges presented by the rapid development and convergence of new media
technology. These challenges include the increasing economic power of international and
private stakeholders within this space, as well as the constantly evolving uses of highly
converged media. Online games are a central part of this evolving dynamic, which is
characterized by strong tensions between producers and operators, government regulators,
and users of online games. This research explores the changing dynamic of online games
regulation in China as it responds to the forces of internationalization and privatization. It also
seeks to identify critical issues for policy development in China that are raised by the new and
innovative ways that this media is being used. It draws from and contributes to scholarship
from a number of disciplines, but primarily approaches the research from a media studies and
area studies perspective.
The thesis is presented in five chapters. Chapter I begins with a discussion of emerging
practice in online games and its wider policy implications. This is followed by a literature review
and an explanation of the methodological approach, which included: case study methodology,
participant observation, and key informant Interviews with policy, legal, and game industry
experts in China. The core research is then presented in three chapters. Chapter II is a detailed
contextual narrative that describes China’s online games policy and places it in historical
perspective. Chapter III is an exploratory analysis of key institutions, stakeholder interests,
and interactions that shape practical regulation of online games in China. Chapter IV presents
a focused analysis and discussion of the gold farming case. The thesis concludes with a
summary and discussion of research contributions in Chapter V. The final discussion highlights
how the thesis contributes to knowledge in three key areas: new media in China, policy studies
of China, and media convergence