Sony sets up PlayStation plant in China


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Sony sets up PlayStation plant in China

 

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Japan's Sony muscles into China's gaming industry
 

Japan's Sony has signed a partnership in China to manufacture and sell its PlayStation consoles on the mainland.

 

The deal, formed as two joint ventures with Shanghai Oriental Pearl, gives Sony access to an estimated 500 million gamers in China.

 

China has had a ban on gaming consoles since 2000, citing their adverse effect on the mental health of young people.

 

But in January, the government said it will allow foreign firms to manufacture and sell consoles.

 

China's gaming market, which is currently dominated by PC, mobile and online games, is seen as a key growth area for console makers.

 

The two partnerships are both with Shanghai Oriental Pearl, one gives Sony a 70% share and the other a 49% stake and both will operate out of Shanghai's free trade zone.

 

In a statement to the Shanghai Stock Exchange, an executive from Shanghai Oriental Pearl says: ""The joint venture will be based on the relevant state policies and will introduce quality and healthy video games that will adhere to China's national conditions as well as the tastes of Chinese gamers.

 

"Sony will also co-operate with domestic game development teams to promote original products on Playstation platform, while further improving the Chinese gaming industry."

 

PlayStation vs Xbox

 

Last week Sony said it aimed to nearly triple operating profits by next year.

 

Sony's game console join venture comes nearly one month after rival Microsoft said its Xbox One game console will go on sale in China in September.

 

Microsoft will launch the console in collaboration with BesTV New Media Co, a subsidiary of Shanghai Media Group.

 

Industry research from PriceWaterhouseCoopers estimates that China's video-game industry will generate about $10bn (?6bn) in sales next year.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27572539

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I don't get it, Sony consoles have been made by Foxconn and Pegatron in China since the mid-2000's, what's special about this? Where do they think consoles have been made thus far? Is there another China when it says MADE IN CHINA on the device?

 

As for this so-called ban, i'm tired of hearing about it. It was always a sad joke that was never enforced. You can get any console anywhere in mainland China, and the prices aren't even that much different from places where they're not "banned".

 

The only reason this should be news is that the administration in China is hopefully finally coming to their wits and liberalizing on a formal and official level, not just de facto.

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I don't get it, Sony consoles have been made by Foxconn and Pegatron in China since the mid-2000's, what's special about this? Where do they think consoles have been made thus far? Is there another China when it says MADE IN CHINA on the device?

 

As for this so-called ban, i'm tired of hearing about it. It was always a sad joke that was never enforced. You can get any console anywhere in mainland China, and the prices aren't even that much different from places where they're not "banned".

 

The only reason this should be news is that the administration in China is hopefully finally coming to their wits and liberalizing on a formal and official level, not just de facto.

I get where you are coming from. I think its how you read it, this deal allows them to manufacture like they have been and now sell them in China. Before, I think it was that they could only manufacture 

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I get where you are coming from. I think its how you read it, this deal allows them to manufacture like they have been and now sell them in China. Before, I think it was that they could only manufacture 

 

These are just formalities that change nothing in real terms, but they are a step in the right direction. By allowing things formally, customers can get proper support and services, and don't need to deal with third party importers that can always tell you "oops, sorry". As someone who's been in that situation, i know the difference. But that article is just full of hyperbole and un-truths.

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