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|---|---|
| Microsoft pips Sony to launch Xbox One in ChinaMicrosoft pips Sony to launch Xbox One in China | |
| (4 months later) | |
| Microsoft has launched the Xbox One in China - becoming the first major console maker to enter what could be a massively lucrative market. | Microsoft has launched the Xbox One in China - becoming the first major console maker to enter what could be a massively lucrative market. |
| The first consoles were sold in Shanghai, priced at 4,299 yuan ($699, £430). Sony and Nintendo are yet to launch their respective products. | The first consoles were sold in Shanghai, priced at 4,299 yuan ($699, £430). Sony and Nintendo are yet to launch their respective products. |
| In January, the Chinese government lifted a 14-year ban on consoles, made because of worries over content. | In January, the Chinese government lifted a 14-year ban on consoles, made because of worries over content. |
| However, many popular titles, such as Call of Duty, will still be banned. | However, many popular titles, such as Call of Duty, will still be banned. |
| Only 10 games were available to buy on the Xbox One's release - but Microsoft has said 70 titles are in the pipeline. | Only 10 games were available to buy on the Xbox One's release - but Microsoft has said 70 titles are in the pipeline. |
| Beating its rivals to the market may give Microsoft a much-needed sales boost. Its console is currently being outsold by Sony's PlayStation 4 in all major markets. | Beating its rivals to the market may give Microsoft a much-needed sales boost. Its console is currently being outsold by Sony's PlayStation 4 in all major markets. |
| But Piers Harding-Rolls, a games analyst from IHS, told the BBC: "There's advantages and disadvantages in being first. | But Piers Harding-Rolls, a games analyst from IHS, told the BBC: "There's advantages and disadvantages in being first. |
| "There's obviously potential. Overcoming the issues of piracy, overcoming the issues of pricing, having the right content to connect with the local audience - those are all big issues." | "There's obviously potential. Overcoming the issues of piracy, overcoming the issues of pricing, having the right content to connect with the local audience - those are all big issues." |
| Sony has set up business partnerships to launch the PS4 in China, but a date has not yet been set. | Sony has set up business partnerships to launch the PS4 in China, but a date has not yet been set. |
| Both companies will compete with a thriving black market in illegally imported consoles playing pirated versions of games. | Both companies will compete with a thriving black market in illegally imported consoles playing pirated versions of games. |
| The firms will also come up against mobile games, which are not banned in China and are extremely popular. | The firms will also come up against mobile games, which are not banned in China and are extremely popular. |
| Ticking the boxes | Ticking the boxes |
| The Xbox One launch was originally set to happen last week but was delayed - Microsoft did not give a reason why. | The Xbox One launch was originally set to happen last week but was delayed - Microsoft did not give a reason why. |
| The US firm is currently the focus of an anti-monopoly investigation relating to its Office software. | The US firm is currently the focus of an anti-monopoly investigation relating to its Office software. |
| The company's chief executive Satya Nadella visited the country last week, and pledged to help the government with its investigation. | The company's chief executive Satya Nadella visited the country last week, and pledged to help the government with its investigation. |
| Getting games to market is likely to require negotiation with regulators, who favour educational games over those with violent themes. | Getting games to market is likely to require negotiation with regulators, who favour educational games over those with violent themes. |
| But that could play well for Microsoft thanks to its recent acquisition of Minecraft - a block-building online game that is massively popular in the Western world, particularly with young children. | But that could play well for Microsoft thanks to its recent acquisition of Minecraft - a block-building online game that is massively popular in the Western world, particularly with young children. |
| "I don't think Minecraft has been heavily exposed to the Chinese market," Mr Harding-Rolls said. | "I don't think Minecraft has been heavily exposed to the Chinese market," Mr Harding-Rolls said. |
| "It ticks all the boxes for regulatory requirements in China. It's educational, it's not heavily violent. | "It ticks all the boxes for regulatory requirements in China. It's educational, it's not heavily violent. |
| "I would suspect that they're thinking very seriously about bringing it to China. It sits well with the regulatory demands." | "I would suspect that they're thinking very seriously about bringing it to China. It sits well with the regulatory demands." |
| Microsoft bought Minecraft's Swedish developer Mojang earlier this month for $2.5bn (£1.5bn). | Microsoft bought Minecraft's Swedish developer Mojang earlier this month for $2.5bn (£1.5bn). |
| Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC | Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC |
| Microsoft has launched the Xbox One in China - becoming the first major console maker to enter what could be a massively lucrative market. | |
| The first consoles were sold in Shanghai, priced at 4,299 yuan ($699, £430). Sony and Nintendo are yet to launch their respective products. | |
| In January, the Chinese government lifted a 14-year ban on consoles, made because of worries over content. | |
| However, many popular titles, such as Call of Duty, will still be banned. | |
| Only 10 games were available to buy on the Xbox One's release - but Microsoft has said 70 titles are in the pipeline. | |
| Beating its rivals to the market may give Microsoft a much-needed sales boost. Its console is currently being outsold by Sony's PlayStation 4 in all major markets. | |
| But Piers Harding-Rolls, a games analyst from IHS, told the BBC: "There's advantages and disadvantages in being first. | |
| "There's obviously potential. Overcoming the issues of piracy, overcoming the issues of pricing, having the right content to connect with the local audience - those are all big issues." | |
| Sony has set up business partnerships to launch the PS4 in China, but a date has not yet been set. | |
| Both companies will compete with a thriving black market in illegally imported consoles playing pirated versions of games. | |
| The firms will also come up against mobile games, which are not banned in China and are extremely popular. | |
| Ticking the boxes | |
| The Xbox One launch was originally set to happen last week but was delayed - Microsoft did not give a reason why. | |
| The US firm is currently the focus of an anti-monopoly investigation relating to its Office software. | |
| The company's chief executive Satya Nadella visited the country last week, and pledged to help the government with its investigation. | |
| Getting games to market is likely to require negotiation with regulators, who favour educational games over those with violent themes. | |
| But that could play well for Microsoft thanks to its recent acquisition of Minecraft - a block-building online game that is massively popular in the Western world, particularly with young children. | |
| "I don't think Minecraft has been heavily exposed to the Chinese market," Mr Harding-Rolls said. | |
| "It ticks all the boxes for regulatory requirements in China. It's educational, it's not heavily violent. | |
| "I would suspect that they're thinking very seriously about bringing it to China. It sits well with the regulatory demands." | |
| Microsoft bought Minecraft's Swedish developer Mojang earlier this month for $2.5bn (£1.5bn). | |
| Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC |