Today Sony has announced their plans to release their next gen console in China. As many of us know, China banned Video Games back in 2000 for the "mental well being", and to protect the "moral decay" and "perception of corruption" away from their children. But as of October last year the ban was withdrawn, but with a few catches and some new rules took it's place. Any game/DLC that a company wants released has to be approved first in order to be sold. Any game/DLC with any of the following content. Won't/will not pass the inspection and be approved.
- Gambling-related content or game features
- Anything that violates China’s constitution
- Anything that threatens China’s national unity, sovereignty, or territorial integrity.
- Anything that harms the nation’s reputation, security, or interests.
- Anything that instigates racial/ethnic hatred, or harms ethnic traditions and cultures.
- Anything that violates China’s policy on religion by promoting cults or superstitions.
- Anything that promotes or incites obscenity, drug use, violence, or gambling.
- Anything that harms public ethics or China’s culture and traditions.
- Anything that insults, slanders, or violates the rights of others.
- Other content that violates the law
Sony still has yet to release any sort of window in regards to a release date or estimated price for the console, but they are working very closely with the Chinese company Shanghai Oriental Pearl Culture Development, so that they can oversee the manufacturing process locally in China and manage all of the licencing and distribution.
How do you guys feel about this?
I think that it's great that China is finally starting to allow the gaming industry to expand there even though they are banning all of the fun content. But a small step is better than no step I guess.
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