China has banned foreign investment into its lucrative online games industry in an effort to tighten control over its virtual worlds. China’s video game industry regulator, the General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP), issued a directive last week that prohibits foreign investment in domestic online gaming operations through joint ventures, wholly owned enterprises and cooperatives. The new policy also disallows foreign firms from indirectly influencing Chinese gaming firms through agreements or technology support. China’s online gaming market is one of the world’s fastest growing, with sales expected to rise 30 to 50 percent this year to $3.5-4 billion.

Source: MSNBC