Tales of Piracy, Sanctions and Terrorism come to a Close – PlayStation 2 Launches in China
2004 starts well for long-ignored gaming population.
ICO
The PlayStation 2 console is now on sale in China, following what has to be one of the most mysterious hardware launch delays in the history of the videogames industry.
The device was supposed to hit China’s retailers in the middle of last month, but the launch date came and went with nothing available in shops across the country.
Sony Computer Entertainment Asia stated an “unfavourable environment” as the reason behind the no-show. Exactly what SCE meant by this was not explained.
Then SCE made the following statement: “We are working with all our power to satisfy everyone's hopes by making the PlayStation 2 available to consumers, and we deeply apologise to you for any inconvenience.” Again, no reason for the delay was offered.
This was then followed by an unprecedented level of speculation in the financial press, claiming that Sony had uncovered some deep-seated security issue; that the machine may break sanctions against China put in place by the US and Japan, or that the console might have terrorist and military applications.
Whatever really happened may never be known, but as of January 1, 2004, the PlayStation 2 officially went on sale, though no machines were available at retail. Today the situation is different.
Reports form all of China’s major cities state that there are consoles, priced at 1988 Yuan Renminbi - around £132 - a huge asking price in Chinese terms.
Frustratingly for Chinese gamers, only one game, the astoundingly good ICO, is on sale with the hardware. And at the time of going to press, no more games have been announced. However, Gran Turismo 4 Prologue is available in Mandarin.
The device was supposed to hit China’s retailers in the middle of last month, but the launch date came and went with nothing available in shops across the country.
Sony Computer Entertainment Asia stated an “unfavourable environment” as the reason behind the no-show. Exactly what SCE meant by this was not explained.
Then SCE made the following statement: “We are working with all our power to satisfy everyone's hopes by making the PlayStation 2 available to consumers, and we deeply apologise to you for any inconvenience.” Again, no reason for the delay was offered.
This was then followed by an unprecedented level of speculation in the financial press, claiming that Sony had uncovered some deep-seated security issue; that the machine may break sanctions against China put in place by the US and Japan, or that the console might have terrorist and military applications.
Whatever really happened may never be known, but as of January 1, 2004, the PlayStation 2 officially went on sale, though no machines were available at retail. Today the situation is different.
Reports form all of China’s major cities state that there are consoles, priced at 1988 Yuan Renminbi - around £132 - a huge asking price in Chinese terms.
Frustratingly for Chinese gamers, only one game, the astoundingly good ICO, is on sale with the hardware. And at the time of going to press, no more games have been announced. However, Gran Turismo 4 Prologue is available in Mandarin.
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