China cites national security as it bans Pokémon Go and other AR games

China as a nation has a checkered past with the video game industry. For example, for almost a decade and a half, home video game consoles themselves were banned in the country, but due to cultural differences, internet cafes and VR arcades have all been booming as of late. As a result of this trepidation it comes as no surprise then that China’s media regulator would have concerns over augmented reality (AR) games such as Pokémon Go.

According to an original report by Yang Fan for RFA’s Mandarin Service, then translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie at RFA.org, China’s General Administration of Press and Publications, Radio, Film and Television issued a statement on their website: