Microsoft Readies 360 Launch For China

The Xbox 360 was launched in Hong Kong in November of 2005, but the system is not officially part of the Chinese gaming market. Microsoft aims to change that this year, pending approval from the Chinese government. Gamasutra has the details on the deal, which will receive intense scrutiny from the country's culture ministry. From the article: "Looking to China specifically, the report notes that Microsoft has begun working with Chinese internet service providers and computer manufactures regarding the impending launch, and also plans to hire personnel to handle sales activities concerning the Xbox 360 on the Chinese mainland, though a specific time frame for these future hires remains as unknown as the launch itself. Likewise, a price has yet to be confirmed for the console as well, though the Xbox 360 sells for HK$2,329 ($300) in Hong Kong."

Chinese Cloned it first.

[Gabrill]

Unfortunately, the Chinese had already introduced a working clone of the XBox 360, and the Microsoft branded one was seen as a poor quality fake. The Chinese version had dna inserted to make it glow in the dark.

Censorship of games?

[Half a dent]

People worry about Jack Thompson wanting to censor content... at least Rockstar's Table Tennis game will sell well.