Microsoft has found competition over seas with Sony announcing future plans to launch PlayStation 4 in China. While it’s not unheard of to hear the two gaming giants competing over new territory, China only recently allowed outside consoles to be sold within the country.
China has had strict regulations on foreign made consoles and violent video games being sold in their country. Microsoft was the first console in over 14 years to break those barriers with the launch of Xbox One this September. Typically gaining the lead over the competition wouldn’t be such a bad thing right? Well when Sony announced their upcoming launch, they also stated that the console would be sold under Microsoft’s current retail price. This was met with the Xbox One getting a price cut and Microsoft upping their market strategy ahead of Sony’s release. While the console’s price was brought down a bit, it is still not enough to match Sony’s intended sale price.
It isn’t surprising that Microsoft is pulling out all the stops to stay ahead in the market. Earlier this month, Japan Xbox General Manager Takashi Sensui stepped down from his position due to struggling sales, since the consoles launch. While sales on the other side of the globe haven’t been doing so hot, it was recently announced that Microsoft outsold Sony for the first time over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This was a big win considering PlayStation 4 has always been giving Xbox One a run for their money since it launched over a year ago.
Though PlayStation might have the price advantage over Xbox in China, it will have to conform to the policies set forth for extreme content with many of its games. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare and Destiny, some of Sony’s more popular games will not be expected to be sold within the country. Only time will tell if Xbox truly has anything to worry about.