Chinese online video game players will soon need to register their real names before playing games in the virtual world, said the Ministry of Culture in a tentative regulation on the administration of online games.

The regulation, to be effective on August 1, marked China's first official document targeting the country's thriving online gaming industry. It applies to all domestic and imported multiplayer role-playing games as well as social networking games.

Online game companies are required to establish a self-censorship mechanism and ensure the lawfulness of their game contents and their operations. The regulation also protects minors from online game addition by forbidding game providers from offering them unsuitable games.