MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Microsoft has teamed up with BesTV New Media to launch the Xbox One in China.
The console will be released in September and will mark the first official Xbox launch in the country following China’s recent decision to lift its 14-year ban on the sale of foreign game consoles via a free trade zone set up in Shanghai.
Recent guidelines set up by the Chinese government however will prohibit the sale of games that feature gambling-related content or features, anything that violates its constitution, anything that harms the country’s reputation, security or interests and titles that promote or incite obscenity, drug use or violence.
Such outlawed content could potentially rule our many Western-developed titles.
“The culture of games and entertainment is rapidly growing in China, with nearly half a billion people playing games – roughly a third of the country’s population and more than the entire population of North America,” said Xbox corporate VP of marketing Yusuf Mehdi.
“The gaming industry saw massive growth in the last year – generating more than $13 billion in 2013, an increase of 38% in the last year alone. Gamers in China have shown they love gaming – mostly on PC, mobile and online – and game developers in China have been delivering innovative games for years. Creators and gamers alike have eagerly awaited a new generation of entertainment experiences in China.
“We are incredibly excited to bring Xbox One and the next generation of games, entertainment, online education and fitness to China. Launching Xbox One in China is a significant milestone for us and for the industry.”
