14 DAY TRIAL // Except for Japan, which enjoys massive attention from the three biggest console manufacturers in the world, the other Asian countries were kind of ignored in the past. Today, it seems that both Sony and Nintendo are planning to invest in other Asian markets as well and expand their business plan in Taiwan and South Korea first.
Nikkei newspaper had the word on the whole deal, but did not quote any official sources, which means that, for the moment, we should treat the news as a rumor. However, it is a really solid one and everybody agrees that this step is natural for all console manufacturers, since more markets mean more income. It's easy!
So, the newspaper reports that Nintendo has started to provide technologies to an unnamed South Korean game developer which, apparently, had already been working on DS games. Also, together with that localized development team, Nintendo plans to release no less than 20 titles in South Korea during the next year. Also, the company plans to start selling localized handheld systems in Taiwan through mobile phone shops.
On the other hand, Sony plans to begin a collaboration with Taiwanese authorities and train game developers starting this September. Apparently, the company plans to develop titles exclusively for the PlayStation 3 system - which would not be a bad thing at all, having in mind that many people accuse the lack of exclusive titles on the console.
A Thompson Financial report also suggests that Sony intends to expand operations in South Korea, where "it distributes video online for the PlayStation 3". All these can be nothing but great news both for the game fans living in the Asian countries, as well as the two companies. We're just wondering what Microsoft's plans are - if it keeps allowing its rivals to build on the momentum, it might lose Asia forever.