Microsoft is bringing its Xbox One to China this September after the nation recently ended a ban on foreign-made video game consoles.
The U.S. company, which announced the move on Wednesday, is targeting a market with over a half billion gamers, according to the company.
In preparation, Microsoft has established a joint venture with Shanghai-based BesTV, a provider of Internet television services, to help develop its Xbox business.
So far, the company is the first foreign console maker to announce a launch for China. Government restrictions on the systems had kept Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo out of the market for 13 years.
But last September, China effectively lifted the ban, allowing foreign-funded companies located in a new trade zone in Shanghai to sell consoles nationwide.
On Wednesday, Microsoft called the Xbox’s upcoming launch in China a “historic milestone” for the industry. But the company could still face some challenges in selling the system.
All Xbox games brought to China will still need to receive approval from local authorities before they can be sold. This could mean that more violent games won’t arrive in the market.
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SOURCE: Michael Kan
Computerworld
