China's popular direct sales site, JD.com, is taking pre-orders for Microsoft's Xbox One gaming console
JD.com, China's popular online direct sales retailer announced Monday that it will take pre-orders for Microsoft's Xbox One gaming consoles in China via Tencent Holdings.
Users of Tencent's WeChat/Weixin and mobile QQ messaging software can pay 499 Yuan ($81) and reserve the new Xbox One ahead of its September launch.
The pre-order for Microsoft's next-gen gaming console in China is the first update since April, when the Redmond-based software giant confirmed the launch of the latest Xbox in China this September. The company's first partnership was with Shanghai-based BesTV, which provides internet television services, to set up its Xbox business in China.
"Launching Xbox One sales in China through JD.com 's Weixin and Mobile QQ entry points underscores the strength of these platforms with young and sophisticated Chinese consumers," Shuang Du, Vice President of JD.com and in charge of the IT and Digital Business Unit, said in a press statement published by Market Watch.
Users of WeChat and Mobile QQ will have exclusive access to pre-order Xbox One starting July 28, while JD.com will start offering the gaming console through its website and exhibition booth at the ChinaJoy Expo in Shanghai starting July 31, local media reports.
By launching a pre-sale option in China, Tencent is looking to take a bigger share in the country's e- market, which is currently ruled by electronic-commerce titan Alibaba Group Holdings. However, Tencent is already dominating the messaging space with QQ and WeChat. According to Market Watch, QQ mobile messaging software has 808 million monthly active users and WeChat serves 355 million monthly active users as of end of last year.
Microsoft wouldn't be the only company to offer its gaming console in the country as Sony has also confirmed the launch of PlayStation 4 back in May. These launches open up new opportunities for console makers as the country hosts around 500 million gamers. Sony hasn't made its console available for pre-orders and details are scanty about its price and availability in the country. JD.com hasn't confirmed the price of the Xbox One.
