According to Wall Street Journal:
"China will lift a ban on making and selling videogame consoles in the country, paving the way for foreign companies likeSony Corp. and Microsoft Corp. to expand in one of the world’s largest videogame markets.
New rules will apply to foreign and domestic console makers, enabling them to manufacture and sell anywhere in the country, according to a statement from the Ministry of Culture released earlier this week. Previously, regulators limited foreign console makers, such as Sony and Nintendo Co., to operate only in theShanghai Free Trade Zone, which stifled sales and potential growth.
The move opens the door to a valuable market of videogamers who have turned to computer and mobile videogames because of limited access to consoles like Microsoft’s Xbox, Sony’s PlayStation and Nintendo’s Wii.
“This is great news for us,” a Sony Computer Entertainment spokeswoman said, adding that the company remains committed to the console business in China.
Nintendo and Microsoft couldn't be immediately reached for comment.
Gaming companies have long had their eyes on the Chinese market but have faced restrictions since 2000, when Chinese regulators enacted a console ban to prevent what they said were potential adverse effects on China’s youth. Regulators eased restrictions in a pilot test last year, which the Ministry of Culture said was successful, according to its statement.
China’s gaming market, which includes sales of mobile video games and consoles, is estimated to be worth $22.2 billion this year, up 23% from a year earlier, according to gaming research firm Newzoo BV."
http://www.wsj.com/articles/china-to-end-ban-on-videogame-consoles-1437813695
Hopefully this has a much bigger impact on sales than the last year on the test program. But I'm not sure if this means they will be more lenient with what games can be released in China. Aren't they quite strict with violent/adult game content?
