There is no single, reliable public blacklist of video games prohibited in mainland China. Instead, online games are subject to content rules and prior publication approval: a game that lacks required approval cannot lawfully launch as an approved online game, while a title with prohibited content may be rejected or require changes. That is different from proving that a specific game is formally banned or unavailable everywhere.
How mainland China’s game rules work
The approval system discussed here applies to mainland China; it should not be assumed to apply identically in Hong Kong or Macau. Online games must receive approval before publication. A six-department notice reproduced by the Cyberspace Administration of China states: “未经批准的游戏，不得上线运营。” This means, “Games that have not been approved may not be launched for operation.” Read the notice.
That rule concerns launching an online game in the covered system. By itself, lack of approval does not prove that authorities issued a title-specific ban, or that every offline or overseas version is inaccessible in all circumstances. A game may also be unavailable on a particular service for reasons that do not establish a formal prohibition.
What content may be rejected
The Beijing Municipal Press and Publication Bureau’s administrative guide lists broad categories of prohibited publication content. These include content that opposes constitutional principles; endangers national unity, sovereignty or territorial integrity; discloses state secrets or harms national security; incites ethnic hatred or discrimination; promotes superstition; disrupts social order; promotes obscenity, gambling or violence, or teaches crime; infringes others’ lawful rights; harms social morality or traditional culture; or is otherwise prohibited by law. See the bureau’s guide.
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These are broad statutory categories, not a title-by-title checklist. A theme or feature—such as violence, gambling-like mechanics or political subject matter—does not by itself establish that a particular game is prohibited. The relevant question is how the applicable authorities assess the specific game and release.
What the approval records can—and cannot—tell you
The National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) publishes records for approved domestic and imported online games, as well as records concerning approval changes and revocations. Its search interface is useful for checking a title’s listed category, identifiers and recorded changes. Search the NPPA game approval records.
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- 王牌乱斗 appears in an NPPA record as a domestic mobile game, with an approval notice number and publication ISBN; the record is dated 2025-04-18. View its record.
- 暗黑破坏神：不朽 (Diablo Immortal) is listed as an imported online game. The record includes a client-category change dated 2024-04-22. This documents the listed approval and change, not every platform, version or later service condition. View its record.
An approval entry is evidence about the title and details recorded there; it is not a universal guarantee of current availability across platforms. Conversely, if no entry appears, report that no approval record was located in the database checked, and give the date checked. A missing result alone does not establish a formal ban.
Minors face a separate online play-time limit
A six-department notice dated 2021-10-20 says online-game companies may provide minors one hour of service from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays, and must not provide them online-game service at other times. The notice also addresses real-name registration and verification, content review, age-suitability notices, and technical measures to prevent minors from accessing unsuitable games or functions. Read the notice.
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This is a restriction on minors’ online access and game-provider practices, not a rule that prohibits adults from playing a title. The hours above are those stated in the cited 2021 notice.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to check a specific game
- Search the NPPA approval interface. Look for the title in the domestic and imported game records, and note the listed category and identifiers.
- Check changes and revocations. A record may include a change, such as the client-category change listed for Diablo Immortal; consult the relevant record rather than assuming it covers every release.
- Match the record to the release in question. Confirm that the platform, version and service provider align with the record before drawing conclusions.
- Separate approval status from availability. If the game is missing from the database, say that no record was located in the database checked and state when. Do not call it banned without separate authoritative evidence of a title-specific prohibition, revocation or other decision.
- Clarify who is trying to play. For minors, consider the online service hours in the 2021 notice; for adults, do not mistake those limits for a general game ban.
Status and service availability can change, so a conclusion about one title should identify the release, platform, provider and date being checked. The NPPA’s published approval records are not a comprehensive blacklist, and no current official count of prohibited titles is established by the sources cited here.
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