Companies selling video game consoles can now begin their marketing strategies in China, as the country recently lifted its ban on the sale of video game consoles.

 According to Game Informer, the 15-year ban in China has finally come to an end, and Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft can finally start shipping their hardwares in China. Years ago, China banned the production and sale of gaming consoles in the country to avoid its negative effect on children. Fans of PC video games on the other hand were not directly affected by the ban. In 2013, news of rumors lifting of ban on sale of video game consoles came out, but it was during the early part of 2014 that a temporary lifting was implemented.

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During the temporary lifting of ban, video game console manufacturers were able to sell their units in the country, but only those that were approved by the government of China. According to the Wall Street Journal, this move by the Chinese government will make way for foreign manufacturers to expand their market in China as well as create job opportunities once they open their manufacturing plants in the country. While the Chinese gaming community adapted themselves in PC games, the transition will also prove to be a challenge to the video game console companies as they try to encourage them to shift into consoles.

Prior to the lifting of the ban on sales of video game consoles, foreign companies such as Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo were able to expand their market in China, but is only limited to the Shanghai Free Trade Zone and not the massive area of China where the potential market of video game consoles can really kick off. The Shanghai Free Trade Zone is approximately 120 km from the Chinese central community, a far cry from marketing directly to mainland China. Sony expressed their agreement on the said lifting of the ban, saying "This is great news for us." The area constraint has now been removed and market sale of video game consoles is predicted to reach around $22 billion. 

Tagssony, Nintendo, video game consoles, sales of video game consoles, ban on sales