It looks like Microsoft won't be the only company selling its next-generation gaming console in China. Sony has announced that the PlayStation 4 will soon be available in China as well.
The launch announcement shares a similar modus operandi -- a joint venture partnership with a local company to distribute the console, as well as management of the online services and software retail.
Interestingly, Sony's joint-venture company is the Shanghai Oriental Pearl Group, a subsidiary of the Shanghai Media Group, which also owns BesTV, Microsoft's partner in China.
Microsoft estimates that there are half a billion gamers in China, and revenue from PC, mobile and online gaming is worth over $13 billion as of 2013. It's a huge pie, and Sony looks set to grab a slice.
Sony's PS4 has been outselling the Xbox One in the US, and is currently available in more countries than the Microsoft console.
There's no word yet on when the PS4 will go on sale in China, but it wouldn't be a surprise if Sony beats Microsoft to the market (the Xbox One is due in China in September), given Sony's current lead in making the PS4 available in more countries.
Via Bloomberg