This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/jan/28/sony-playstation-wii-xbox-china

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
PlayStation, Wii and Xbox could go on sale in China China may lift sales ban on PlayStation, Wii and Xbox
(about 3 hours later)
China is considering lifting a decade-long ban on game consoles, the official China Daily newspaper reported on Monday, sending shares of major hardware makers such as Sony, maker of the PlayStation, and Nintendo, maker of the Wii, surging.China is considering lifting a decade-long ban on game consoles, the official China Daily newspaper reported on Monday, sending shares of major hardware makers such as Sony, maker of the PlayStation, and Nintendo, maker of the Wii, surging.
In November, Sony's PlayStation 3 received a quality certification from a Chinese safety standards body, prompting speculation that Beijing would lift the ban, which the government said was imposed in 2000 to safeguard children's mental and physical development.In November, Sony's PlayStation 3 received a quality certification from a Chinese safety standards body, prompting speculation that Beijing would lift the ban, which the government said was imposed in 2000 to safeguard children's mental and physical development.
Game consoles such as the PlayStation, Wii and Microsoft's Xbox are banned in China, but online gaming and playing games on mobile devices are both extremely common, which analysts say limits the potential upside for Sony and rival manufacturers.Game consoles such as the PlayStation, Wii and Microsoft's Xbox are banned in China, but online gaming and playing games on mobile devices are both extremely common, which analysts say limits the potential upside for Sony and rival manufacturers.
"We are reviewing the policy and have conducted some surveys and held discussions with other ministries on the possibility of opening up the game console market," the China Daily quoted an unnamed source from the ministry of culture as saying. "However, since the ban was issued by seven ministries more than a decade ago, we will need approval from all parties to lift it.""We are reviewing the policy and have conducted some surveys and held discussions with other ministries on the possibility of opening up the game console market," the China Daily quoted an unnamed source from the ministry of culture as saying. "However, since the ban was issued by seven ministries more than a decade ago, we will need approval from all parties to lift it."
An official at the ministry's cultural market department, which is responsible for the legislation, denied the report. "The ministry is not considering lifting the ban," the official, who identified himself only as Bai, told Reuters.An official at the ministry's cultural market department, which is responsible for the legislation, denied the report. "The ministry is not considering lifting the ban," the official, who identified himself only as Bai, told Reuters.
If the ban is lifted, it would open a potentially vast market of more than a billion people to the console makers, and could give existing consoles a new lease of life.If the ban is lifted, it would open a potentially vast market of more than a billion people to the console makers, and could give existing consoles a new lease of life.
In Tokyo, Sony shares traded 8% higher while Nintendo gained more than 3.5%, outperforming a broadly weaker Nikkei index.In Tokyo, Sony shares traded 8% higher while Nintendo gained more than 3.5%, outperforming a broadly weaker Nikkei index.
Sony Computer Entertainment spokeswoman Yoshiko Uchiyama said she could not comment directly on the report.Sony Computer Entertainment spokeswoman Yoshiko Uchiyama said she could not comment directly on the report.
"Our stance towards business in China has not changed. Of course, we acknowledge China as a promising market for our business, and we are always considering and preparing business opportunities and possibilities (in the country)," she said. A Nintendo spokesman declined to comment."Our stance towards business in China has not changed. Of course, we acknowledge China as a promising market for our business, and we are always considering and preparing business opportunities and possibilities (in the country)," she said. A Nintendo spokesman declined to comment.
Earlier moves suggest Chinese authorities are ready to take a softer line on game consoles.Earlier moves suggest Chinese authorities are ready to take a softer line on game consoles.
Last year, Lenovo launched the Eedoo CT510, a motion sensing device similar in concept to Microsoft's Kinect extension for its Xbox game console. Lenovo marketed the Eedoo as an "exercise and entertainment machine".Last year, Lenovo launched the Eedoo CT510, a motion sensing device similar in concept to Microsoft's Kinect extension for its Xbox game console. Lenovo marketed the Eedoo as an "exercise and entertainment machine".