Virtual Playground

China's first offline "digital festival", LAN Story, attracts some 100,000 visitors, mostly young people, to the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai in August. They play all kinds of games, socialize with friends and attend live concerts at the event. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Guo says he understood his mother's concern about him staying up too late to play games at the party, but he was sure he was past the age when his game addiction would "conquer" his fatigue if he spent too much time playing.

Moderating the time spent on playing the games would work better than simply trying to restrict or suppress it, Guo says.

Addressing similar concerns about the dangers of becoming addicted to the games, Fu says the organizers ensured that participants were able to exercise self-control when playing the games.

There were also medical aid stations on site in case of any emergency.

Moderation and getting the right balance were certainly key in playing video games, which can be educational and socially rewarding, says Fu.

Contact the writer at xuhaoyu@chinadaily.com.cn