Foreign companies are no longer allowed to invest in China's makers, the government passing new rules in order to tighten control of the worlds that so many gamers in the region are enamoured of.

According to word from Reuters, has effectively banned "foreign investment in domestic online gaming operations through joint ventures, wholly owned enterprises and cooperatives."

The new rules were passed by the General Administration of Press and Publication, but at this stage it is unclear whether foreign developed MMOs like will be impacted.

The gigantic Chinese MMO market is already worth in excess of three billion dollars. More soon.

By Luke Guttridge