Game consoles to become 'official' in China

Following reports that China is planning to end a 13-year ban on foreign video game consoles, the country's State Council has now confirmed that a new free-trade zone in Shanghai will indeed bring an end to the ban. Game consoles are currently banned in China in an official capacity, as there were concerns from parents that such hardware was harming the physical and mental development of children. Notably, they've long been available through unofficial channels. In a statement today, and as reported by the Wall Street Journal, the State Council in China said that foreign companies that produce games consoles within the new free-trade zone will be allowed to sell their products across China. Notably, Microsoft has already been preparing for the move. The company formed a new division earlier this month that will look to explore the new console and entertainment opportunities in China.