China announced that it is willing to lift the 13-year ban on video game consoles in one condition: Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft must manufacture it in Shanghai and must comply with the ‘free trade zone’ policy.
This plan was recommended by the Shanghai free trade zoneand approved by Premier Li Keqiang. The country wants to open its door to foreign businesses to promote their currency Chinese Yuan Renminbi.
The plan will proceed if the foreign game makers would agree to register in the new free trade zone in Shanghai. Enlisting themselves will permit them from promoting and selling their products in the Chinese market. These products, however, should receive approval first from ‘culture-related authorities’ to ensure that the video games do not violate the culture of the Chinese.
“They still need approval from the culture ministry and other relevant government bodies for their products, which I think is reasonable, because the government wants to make sure the content of your games is not too violent or politically sensitive for young people,” said one of the sources who requested to keep their names in an interview with the South China Morning Post.
The production of video game consoles in China was banned in 2000 when seven central government ministries passed the ruling. They pushed the ban of production, except for those that will be exported, because of the detrimental and violent content of the video games. Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft are still assembling their video game consoles in China. Despite the ban, some Chinese video game fans are still able to get their hands on these video games through black market sales and piracy.
Meanwhile, the video game makers expressed different reactions on this offer. Ralph Haupter, the chairman and chief executive at Microsoft Greater China, announced that the company is now preparing the requirements to sell the new XboX Oneconsole. Sony has no plans yet. Nintendo has not given any feedback yet.
