14 DAY TRIAL // A brand new report has appeared online claiming that Microsoft is set to launch the Xbox One in China in July, through a strategic partnership with BesTV, and that it will release alongside it cheaper games with more premium DLC.
The Xbox One came out in 13 countries around the world last November, and it has since sold quite a few million units, netting Microsoft a good amount of money, even though it's lagging behind Sony's PlayStation 4, which just confirmed that it sold 7 million units as of April 6.
Even so, Microsoft has plans to release the Xbox One in more territories later this year and it seems that one of the countries to see the launch of the new home console will be China.
According to a new report from GamesinAsia, which cites an earnings call from Chinese company BesTV, Microsoft has secured a joint venture with the large telecommunications firm and is on track to release the Xbox One in China this July.
More specifically, BesTV will start manufacturing and selling the Xbox One in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, thereby avoiding some of the tough restrictions still set in place by the Chinese government many years ago to protect the country's youth.
The launch will take place in July and at least 100,000 units are expected to be sold. However, until then, Microsoft must set a CEO for the joint venture company, one who understands both the gaming industry and the Chinese market, and the website claims an executive will be confirmed later this month.
The games for the Xbox One in China will be modified to some regard, as they'll have a lower price but also more in-game purchases and DLC, in order to appeal to Chinese gamers, who have gotten used to such a practice from free-to-play games on PC and mobile platforms.
The games will cover all sorts of genres, from sports, to shooters, role-playing experiences, and much more.
The same report also believes that there will be less censorship for these Xbox One titles. This is due to the fact that they'll be released first in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone and must therefore be inspected by the local authorities, instead of the bigger Chinese Ministry of Culture.
This smoother authorization process will also mean that Xbox One games could appear at the same time as titles in other parts of the world, or at least with minimal delays.
Unfortunately, Microsoft is still keeping its Chinese plans under wraps.