China to lift restrictions on consoles and console games

China is going to make it easier for manufacturers to make and sell consoles. Existing restrictions will be lifted, eliminating the need, among other things, to restrict manufacturing to the Shanghai free trade zone.

China’s Ministry of Culture has announced that restrictions on making consoles will be lifted, The Wall Street Journal reported. However, it is not entirely clear when the new rules will come into effect. Currently, console makers are still bound by strict rules. They are only allowed to operate in the free trade zone of Shanghai, which limits their production and sales capacities. The new rules should allow manufacturing across the country.

The new rules officially end a 15-year ban on game consoles in China. The rules were already relaxed last year by allowing companies to operate in the Shanghai free trade zone, so further relaxation of the legislation is not unexpected. The ban on consoles was introduced 15 years ago because there was a fear among authorities that playing games on the console would have a negative effect on children’s development.

Despite the strict rules, several console manufacturers have already come to China. Last year Microsoft released its Xbox One, and competitor Sony also introduced its PlayStation devices earlier this year. The latter said in a statement to The Wall Street Journal that he was happy with the new Chinese rules. Incidentally, makers of console games still have to have their content tested by the Chinese authorities.