China's console ban lift: 'We want to open the window a crack to get some fresh air'

- Cai Wu, head of China's Ministry of Culture, explains the thought process behind the lifting of the console ban in China. The 13-year ban on game consoles in China was lifted last week, and at a press conference in Beijing over the weekend, as attended by Bloomberg, Wu said that his governing body is in charge of drafting the new rules for consoles in the country. "Things that are hostile to China, or not in conformity with the outlook of China’s government, won’t be allowed," he explained, outlining how there will be strict policies against those games which portray China in a bad light. Having said that, Wu has previously noted that China should not interfere so much in the development of art forms. It's worth pointing out that while China's decision to lift the 13-year ban may allow consoles to be officially sold in the country, in practical terms little has changed -- most game consoles and handhelds have long been unofficially available on the Chinese gray market to anyone who knows where to look. Nevertheless, it's positive news for companies like Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft. Following the ban lifting, Nintendo's shares rose sharply.