Microsoft delays Xbox One launch in China

Gamers in China hoping to get their hands on the Xbox One will have to wait a little longer than expected.

Microsoft announced late Friday that “despite strong and steady progress, we are going to need more a bit more time to deliver the best experiences possible for our fans in China.”

[Eonjay]

They said they are planning to release it by the end of the year. I wonder if Sony will wind up beating them to China.

[GribbleGrunger]

Sony haven't announced any plans whatsoever so that's an unlikely scenario. We know that Sony WILL release in China at some point but given China's strict video game laws, I'd say Sony are waiting to build a compelling portfolio of 'none offensive' games before they release there. I'd say first quarter 2015 (perhaps March).

edit: Yes, it offers Sony the chance of a double whammy: Give out the latest incredible PS4 sales figures AND announce the launch of the PS4 in China. There's also no better way of instilling confidence in a new market than when you hear a figure around 20m.

[Eonjay]

That makes a lot of sense actually.

[Gamer1982]

Sony have already said they are planning on releasing in China so saying no plans whatsoever is completely off the mark.
http://www.engadget.com/201...
Was announced in May and they could beat MS to China now with this delay and that's the last thing they need since they are behind every where getting ahead in China even for a few weeks could get them a little sales boost.

[GribbleGrunger]

@Gamer1982: I know all that, and as a Sony fan I always follow news on the PS4 closely. What I'm talking about, and what I was replying to, is related to 'when' the PS releases in China. Without any information on a date (even a rough date), I think it's unlikely that it will release this year, ahead of the XB1. Didn't my second sentence help verify exactly what I was talking about?

"We know that Sony WILL release in China at some point"

Hell, I even emphasised 'WILL'. If what I posted was just a random post then yes, I can see where you could see enough ambiguity to misinterpret what I said, but it has solid context due to the fact I'm answering a specific comment.

[imt558]

Well, PS4 lead in china's poll :

http://kotaku.com/survey-sa...

Or this :

http://weibo.com/xboxcn

vs.

http://weibo.com/playstatio...

http://weibo.com/psasia?nic...

[CerealKiller]

I'm guessing not enough demand.

[Foehammer]

http://www.dualshockers.com...

"Online retailer Suning actually publishes its own pre-order numbers on the listing pages, and it boasts 12,810 bookings for the console with Kinect and 2,807 for the Kinect-less version. The numbers sum up to a total of 15,617 pre-orders."

"Not only we notice that the version with Kinect seems to be a lot more popular than the lighter package, but we can get a rough idea of the market situation."

"According to Tech in Asia, Suning holds 2% of the Chinese market share, which could mean a total of 780,859 pre-orders. Of course this is just an empirical calculation and it shouldn’t be taken as solid data, but if the Xbox One managed to get close to that number of consoles sold at launch in China, it would definitely be a success."

[choujij]

@Forhammer Remember this?
http://www.dualshockers.com...
http://www.dualshockers.com...

Refresh my memory, how did that all turn out? :)

[CerealKiller]

I don't trust any numbers out of China.

[Remy_Chaos]

Well I don't blame them, China is one of their last (three) opportunities, they have to get it right. Regardless, it sucks for those Chinese people who were expecting One sooner. Maybe MS is preparing in case they have to do more 180s?

[Jury]

Yeah it sucks for those tens and tens of Chinese xbox fans that were looking forward to getting the bone

[04STIBluByU]

So...they can't afford to launch in China b/c they spent 2.5B on an indie game...makes sense...by the way I read the article...and between the lines!

[ScorpiusX]

If the purchase of a company is what you believe to cause a delay then by all mean keep be living that . I tend to believe the delay could be related to my be include Mincraft with every Xbox sold while making their game exclusive to the platform in this new market and maybe some language issues.

[04STIBluByU]

It was a joke man...I have no clue why they delayed it, so I came up with my own BS. Sh!ts and giggles!

[Spotie]

Delaybox?

I kid, I kid.

This probably isn't good news. Given the lead the PS4 has, the XB1 needs all the advantages it can get.

[TheFallenAngel]

I was told by xbone fans that this launch is what was going to close the gap between ps4 and xbone. I wonder why they delayed.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Its a very odd last minute delay to say the least. Either some major OS bug was found for the Chinese version or some kind of red tape issue arose. Can't see any other explanation really.

[Gore-Content]

awww...

[snookiegamer]

So they delayed the launch, big hoo ha! People be trying to make something outta nothing....Gaming should be mysterious, fantastical and fun!

Way too much negativity coming from over privileged, self entitled gamers, and an out of touch, disenchanted mainstream games media.

...and FH2 totally Rocks!

[Aussiebeachbabe]

You tell them snookie.. great game fh2.. agree see you in italy.

[IRetrouk]

I've managed to not play the demo!!!, im going into the game compleatly blind, just the way i like it, the first one was very good so i know i will like the sequel, between this and other racing games im in for a treat as they are my faves, just got my one so i have forza 5 at the min to tide me over then horizon 2, driveclub, the crew and project cars, really good time to be a racing fan, i love it 😀😃😀

[HappyWithOneBubble]

Could be that China banned certain games. No one gonna buy a console with no games.

Maybe that's why Sony is holding off on China to get more RTS, MMO, and MOBA games on PS4 cause they're more popular in China.

[OOMagnum]

Ms is messing up right now. Most likely some chinese red tape that popped up last minute.

[Revengeance]

They might as well delay it indefinitely as it will be DOA in China anyway.

[francisjairam16]

They must have something up their sleeve. Right?