Thread on update to legal consoles in China:
Sony and Microsoft have removed the region switching feature from the official channel PS4 / XB1 consoles sold in China.
This means that console gamers in China who purchase a China ver. console cannot access overseas PSN / Live.
Sony and Microsoft have removed the region switching feature from the official channel PS4 / XB1 consoles sold in China.
This means that console gamers in China who purchase a China ver. console cannot access overseas PSN / Live.
Sony China temporarily suspended the China PSN store on May 10, 2020 stating that it would carry out "security upgrades"
Speculation at the time noted that China's gaming regulator had received complaints about how official consoles could access banned games by switching regions
Speculation at the time noted that China's gaming regulator had received complaints about how official consoles could access banned games by switching regions
Some history on the China console market:
- Consoles were banned in 2000 - 2014.
- The console market is heavily regulated, with approvals needed for hardware and software releases.
- MS launched an official channel XB1 in Sep 2014, Sony launched official PS4 in Mar 2015.
- Consoles were banned in 2000 - 2014.
- The console market is heavily regulated, with approvals needed for hardware and software releases.
- MS launched an official channel XB1 in Sep 2014, Sony launched official PS4 in Mar 2015.
- The official channel consoles can play any disc game, but the online servers are region locked to China. Only approved games can launch on China PSN, of which there are 130 vs 3000+ in US PSN for example.
- If you buy a console from HK or US, you don't have this restriction.
- If you buy a console from HK or US, you don't have this restriction.
- However, there have always been loopholes. On the official channel PS4/XB1 there are methods that allow you to change PSN / Live region.
- So rather than being limited to 130 games on China PSN, you can access all games on US PSN / play online with global users.
- So rather than being limited to 130 games on China PSN, you can access all games on US PSN / play online with global users.
- There is currently no loophole on the official (Tencent) Nintendo Switch and whilst it can play any cartridge game, it can only access the China Eshop with 5 officially approved games.
- Technically this should be the case with PS4 / XB1 too but the loophole existed.
- Technically this should be the case with PS4 / XB1 too but the loophole existed.
- Sony and Microsoft recently released new software updates, both close the loophole and you can no longer switch regions. (See images for before / after).
- People who already switched regions are unaffected. New buyers will be impacted and have to find a new loophole.
- People who already switched regions are unaffected. New buyers will be impacted and have to find a new loophole.
- With the loophole closed, new buyers are more likely to import the grey market versions of PS4/XB1 from HK or USA etc... as those do not have Chinese firmware and allow for region switching / have no restrictions.
- It remains to be seen if PS5 / Series X will have loopholes.
- It remains to be seen if PS5 / Series X will have loopholes.
Summary:
- China has always had a strict regulatory environment for games, but loopholes do exist to get around restrictions.
- The official consoles no longer allow region switching for new buyers, closing the loophole.
- Importing US/HK console will be more popular now.
- China has always had a strict regulatory environment for games, but loopholes do exist to get around restrictions.
- The official consoles no longer allow region switching for new buyers, closing the loophole.
- Importing US/HK console will be more popular now.
