South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is to block teenage access to online games after midnight in a bid to combat addiction.

During the six hour blackout period - called "nighttime shutdown" - players will forcibly be kicked from game sessions or have their internet connection speed dramatically reduced, according to the Korea Herald.

The government is becoming increasingly worried about game addiction after a couple of admittedly horrific cases, including that of a newborn girl who starved through neglect while her parents played online.

The policies are currently being tested out on four games, but will be rolled out to 19 later this year.

I was thinking that they would rename the shut down as the nightmare shutdown.

Yes but how on earth can any business cope with its customers being cut off. I hate the idea of online games for just that reason. At least if I were cut off now I could still play the odd game on my computer.

Have they got any oil?