PS4 China

Considering that PlayStation is already enormous in Japan and most of Asia, it was strange to see Sony allow the Xbox One to deploy in China first. Microsoft’s machine launched in the potentially lucrative region earlier in the year, and there’s been very little word from its rival when the PlayStation 4 will follow in its footsteps. Well, until now.

Rumours spewing out of the nation suggest that the platform holder is set to hold a press event in Shanghai on 11th December, rounding out a busy month for the manufacturer. Apparently, it will outline its plans for both the PS4 and Vita during the briefing, with Chinese-centric game announcements certain to appear during the conference.

Here’s where it gets really interesting, though: the word on the street is that the Japanese giant’s planning to seriously undercut the pricing of its closest competitor. The cheapest Xbox One currently retails for 3,699RMB ($600) in the region, but Sony’s supposedly lining up a 2,999RMB ($487) entry fee for its next-gen machine.

Moreover, the firm’s purportedly planning 50 games for launch, though it’s unclear whether that tally comprises a combination of both PS4 and Vita titles. Either way, the manufacturer will be translating the releases into Chinese, which will obviously make them much more appealing to the market.

This all follows the local government’s decision to put an end to a law that prevented games consoles from being sold in the colossal country. Whether there actually is an audience for these appliances remains to be seen, but if this speculation is to be believed, then it sounds like Sony’s going to try its best to cultivate one.

[source kotaku.com, via bbs.a9vg.com, neogaf.com]