Times are tough for gamers in china. For thirteen years now, the Chinese government has instituted a countrywide ban on the import and sale of gaming consoles. However, according to an anonymous source inside the Chinese Ministry of Culture, the government is now reconsidering the ban. Though talks have now opened, any change to the country’s policy would have to be unanimous across the seven ministries that originally agreed to enact the ban back in 2000.
As a result of this news, the stock of prominent video game companies has started to rise. Sony’s stock recently rose 9.1% while Nintendo’s stock rose 3.4%. China has one of the largest populations in the world, and opening console sales would mean a huge increase in revenue for all sides of the video game industry. Sony even has a branch in China. SCE Rep Yoshiko Uchiyaman commented on the situation via Reuters saying “China [is] a promising market for our business, and we are always considering and preparing business opportunities and possibilities.”
Source: ChinaDaily , VG 24/7 , Reuters