Tencent Wins Approval for Pokémon Game as Tech Crackdown Fades

(Bloomberg) -- Tencent Holdings Ltd. secured a green-light for its second major game title since regulators resumed granting licenses, reinforcing hopes Beijing is easing a crackdown on the world's largest mobile gaming arena. It follows approval for 'Metal Slug: Awakening' last month. Based on the internationally recognizable monster-hunting franchise, it was among a series of titles Tencent hoped would spearhead a global expansion. The subsequent clampdown, which ensnared sectors from e-commerce to fintech and even education over a tumultuous year, spread to online gaming around August 2021. Regulators introduced stringent measures, such as capping play time for minors to a mere three hours a week, and imposed other requirements aimed at curbing addiction. This month, co-founder Pony Ma upbraided Tencent's employees for slacking on the job and lacking urgency, a rare show of frustration for the billionaire. This month, China removed its remaining Covid Zero curbs, spurring optimism the world's No. 2 economy will rebound in 2023.