Sony to release PS4 and Vita in China in January

Sony will release the PlayStation 4 console and the Vita handheld in China on January 11, four months after Microsoft introduced its Xbox One to the Chinese market. Games have to pass the censorship before they will be for sale.

The PlayStation 4 will have a price tag of 2899 yuan, converted 377 euros, while the PlayStation Vita should fetch 1299 yuan, or 169 euros. In order to be able to release the console and handheld in China, Sony had to conclude a joint venture with a Chinese company. Sony opted for a collaboration with the Shanghai Oriental Pearl company. Agreements have also been made with 26 Chinese game developers. They will be making games for the PS4 and Vita.

To be allowed to release games in China, they must first be screened by a government agency. A Sony spokesperson has informed Reuters that licenses have been requested for at least 30 titles.

With the introduction of its consoles, Sony also wants to take advantage of the lifting of the console ban that was in force in China for 14 years. In September, Microsoft released all of its Xbox One in the Chinese market.