China doesn’t make it easy for non-native game publishers and developers to make a dent in the regional marketplace. Microsoft, despite their best efforts, has been unable to sell the Xbox 360 in China due to a Ministry of Culture edict issued in 2000. The edict bans sales of game consoles and accessories in China by any company or individual, due to the fear of children playing games too often. Since then, finding legal consoles in the country has been nigh-impossible.
According to a recent report in China Trade Information, a key official at Microsoft China said during a recent game forum that the company has been working with a Chinese regulator on bringing the 360 to that region.
“We hope to launch Xbox as soon as possible but it all depends on the government,” said Microsoft China’s corporate VP of Research Zhang Yaqin said. He went on to tell Shanghai Daily that the launch has no set timetable, because of several decisions resting in governmental hands.
Exports of Microsoft products manufactured on the mainland make almost $4 billion in profits, with overseas sales of Xbox consoles having reached over 40 million units. By contrast, the Chinese grey market for consoles has sold 2 to 3 million units as of 2009. The only legally-available Chinese console is the iQue, which is based on old Nintendo 64 hardware.
[Thanks Gamasutra]
