On March 2022, Gamma Data released the 2021 Chinese Gaming Industry Social Responsibility Survey Report (hereinafter referred to as the "Report"). The report presents the achievement of corporate social responsibility in the Chinese gaming sector and analyzes how companies can better fulfill their social responsibilities. The report has garnered widespread attention from the industry.

　　The Chinese gaming industry has been booming in recent years, and the quantity and quality of games have long surpassed the past. The social influence of the gaming industry is also increasing day by day. Benefiting from the increasingly fertile development of Chinese games, many game companies have taken on more social responsibility efforts and obligations.

　　Under national scientific guidance, increasing public awareness, and various companies' active participation, the report shows that the Chinese Gaming Industry Social Responsibility index has reached 13.4in 2021, which has been increasing for three consecutive years, and the performance in protecting minors from game addiction has continuously improved. In addition to continuing investment in protecting minors, the gaming industry as a whole has been taking the initiative in providing social welfare, preserving cultural heritage, aiding in environmental protection, and promoting cultural innovation.

Weaving an Online Safety Net for Minors

　　The protection of minors is not only a critical point of attention for the gaming industry but also a focal point of concern for all sectors of society. According to the report, significant progress was made in protecting minors in 2021. One of the most notable achievements is the reduction of minors' gaming time. Data shows that 40% of parents have noticed a significant decrease in their children's gaming time, with video games ranking fifth in minors' online entertainment activities.

　　Behind this data are the concerted efforts of multiple parties. On the government level, state departments have issued a series of minor protection policies and have paid great attention to the effort for nearly twenty years. On the industry level, game companies have implemented diversified precautions such as healthy gaming advice, gaming time limit, online purchase limit, real-name authentication, and various regulatory methods to ensure minors are well-protected. The gaming time of minors has been reduced to only one hour within a specific date and time, which significantly reduces the possibility of minors being addicted to games.

　　NetEase Games, a leading Chinese game developer, is taking strong measures to protect minors. In addition to implementing strict regulations, the company is utilizing its technology in AI and big data to identify and intervene in game addiction in minors. NetEase Games has also established the NetEase Parent Care Platform and a Minors Protection Center dedicated to providing services for helping minors. Drawing on years of experience in minors protection, NetEase has broadened its perspective to create a comprehensive protection network.

Gaming Industry as a Cultural Carrier

　　Gaming culture has become increasingly apparent in the last decade. Data shows that game companies account for 20.6% of China'scultural export in 2021-2022. More and more game companies are taking on the responsibility of raising awareness of Chinese traditional culture overseas, allowing more foreign players to appreciate Chinese culture. For example, the critically-acclaimed action-adventure battle royale game,Naraka: Bladepoint,launched the Chinese traditional culture project "Sunwing Relics," incorporating Chinese traditional craftsmanship and intangible cultural heritage through advanced technology, displaying Chinese culture to players worldwide and promoting cultural protection. Another game created by NetEase Games, Fantasy Westward Adventure PC, is also committed to raising awareness of China's intangible cultural heritage. In November 2021, Fantasy Westward Adventure PC collaborated with the inheritors of traditional Blue-and-white Porcelain to create a unique piece that combines classical and modern aesthetics. Similarly, "Meteor Blade" collaborated with the inheritors of China's intangible cultural heritage to recreate the in-game Longquan Sword that once existed in ancient China thousands of years ago.

　　Video games have become an important carrier for China's many beautiful cultural sights, artifacts, and heritage. Examples include the partnership between the "A Chinese Ghost Story" mobile game and the Jingdezhen Scenic Area and the collaboration between "Werewolf" and the Wuzhen Scenic Area to integrate these scenic attractions into the game to help promote local cultures and tourism through exposure and cultural dissemination.

　　The gaming industry has become an integral part of society, and as such, the industry must play a role in fostering positive social values. An example of this is NetEase Games' flagship product, Tianxia 3, with its 天下为公(tianxiaweigong)long-term charity project. Through partnerships with the 宝贝回家(baobeihuijia)and 爱心衣橱(aixinyichu)charity organizations, the game helps to spread awareness about missing children and provides winter clothing to children in rural China. The game has successfully connected gamers to these charities and raised numerous donations to help those in need. The development of the gaming industry should not only focus on its breadth but also its depth. Game companies should utilize the exposure and advantages of their gaming platform to help promote and preserve traditional Chinese culture and spread positive energy throughout society.