Xbox One Launches In China On September 24, 2014

Microsoft announced that they will release the Xbox One in China on September 23, 2014, making it the first official console videogame launch in China for a system that will be in the same form as in other territories (Nintendo launched an N64 controller with playable games exclusively for the Chinese market called the iQue Player in 2003 that it still supports with portable digital games). This is the first videogame launch since China lifted it’s 14-year videogame ban last January.

The Xbox One will cost ¥3,699 RMB in China, converting to just under $600 American bucks. Launch titles will include Forza 5, Kinect Sports Rivals, Powerstar Golf, Zoo Tycoon and Max: The Curse of Brotherhood, alongside Neverwinter.

In addition to Neverwinter Online, two other MMOs are in development for Xbox One by Shanghai-based Perfect World, Celestial Sword and Project X.

This is great news for Microsoft, as they are the first console manufacturer to tap into the huge Chinese market, and since Xbox One will be the only platform available there, it could do major sales and really help Microsoft catch up to PlayStation 4 worldwide sales.

Although it remains to be seen whether the system will be accepted by the Chinese. Japan generally does not accept foreign consoles, and the Xbox in all its guises has never caught on there.

However, Japan already has a rich videogame history, China less-so due to the restrictions placed on gaming by the government.

So the Chinese may see Microsoft as a goodwill company offering them their first real taste at videogames and reward them for it by buying the system. And thus China may just fully embrace them. The “cool factor” of being able to buy an American-made console could also help sell Xbox One systems to the Chinese. Either way, this is a very interesting development.

One wonders how long it will be before either Sony with the PlayStation 4 or Nintendo with the Wii U, follow suit by releasing their consoles in China too. The longer they dither, the bigger lead Microsoft will have.

Are you happy to see Microsoft officially bring the Xbox One console to China?