China’s internet regulator sparked outrage this week by unveiling strict new rules aimed at curbing video game addiction among youths in one of the world’s largest gaming markets. However, after a swarm of criticism both domestically and abroad, regulators now say they will revisit the controversial gaming restrictions.

On Friday, the National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA), which oversees digital publishing in China, released draft regulations that would impose harsh limits on the amount of time and money minors can spend on video games. The proposed rules would restrict anyone under 18 to an hour on Fridays, weekends, and holidays, a dramatic cut from the previous limit of 1.5 hours per day. The draft regulations also laid out limits on in-game spending and banned certain monetization tactics common in popular titles.

Facing this intense backlash, Chinese regulators quickly changed their tune. On Saturday, the NPPA said the draft rules were meant to “promote the healthy and prosperous development of the online gaming industry” and that authorities would “earnestly study” the wave of negative reactions. Regulators now say they will collect feedback from related government agencies, gaming companies, and users before finalizing any new gaming policies.

Critics argue the proposed gaming restrictions rely too heavily on blanket bans that could diminish consumer choice while doing little to address underlying gaming addiction issues. Others see the rules as politically motivated, with regulators attempting to appease state media outlets that have blamed video games for detracting from Xi Jinping’s vision of a productive, ascendant Chinese youth.

For now, regulators find themselves caught between vocal critics of the gaming industry and legions of passionate Chinese gamers unwilling to give up their favorite pastime. The final form of China’s nascent gaming regulations remains uncertain. But after this week’s dramatic flip-flop, regulators may think twice before pulling the plug on China’s gaming juggernaut.