2014-04-30 10:09:24
On April 4th,2014, Shanghai enacted detailed regulation on the application process for foreign-invested video game console makers to manufacture and sell their products in the city's free trade zone.
According to the rules, the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture, Radio, Film & TV will be responsible for approving foreign companies' applications for making and selling game devices. The administration will make a decision based on the content of the games within 20 days after it receives an application.
China said in January that the 14-year-ban on selling video game consoles will not be applied to the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. The move will pave the way for global major plyer, such as Sony Corp, Microsoft Corp and Nitendo Co to enter the world's third largest video game market in terms of revenue.
According to the rules, video games containing gambling features will not be approved. Also, the games should have legal intellectual protection, and could "spread the knowledge of science, arts, humanity, and benefit the healthy growth of young people" .
China witnessed video game revenues grow by more than a third in 2012 to nearly $14 billion last year,while China's gaming industry was valued at 123 billion yuan ($19.75 billion) in 2013.However, due to the ban of video game consoles, China's gaming industry is dominated by PC and mobile games.