Due to the complexities of covering the China games market and the history of Chinese government actions, it is easy for news stories to make the rounds using some incorrect information
The below being an example. I will explain why this viral tweet is completely incorrect-
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- Sony updated its ToS for all users globally recently, including those in Asia / Hong Kong.
- The screenshot above is not related to new changes. This part of the ToS has been in the Asia ToS for PlayStation devices for years.
- It is also Mainland China specific.
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- Therefore it cannot be in response to the new Hong Kong National Security Law, nor does it apply to Hong Kong
- The ToS image is above is just the 'Interim Administrative Provisions on Internet Culture' law which was introduced in China during 2003 for all online products
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- In other words, this law is 17 years old and is the law that all gaming companies have to abide by when operating in Mainland China.
- Sony in particular has had this in their ToS for years. Here is the Asia ToS from wayback machine in 2018.
PlayStation's ToS update did not change or add the above.
The part already there has been there since 2003 in all gaming platforms and is just standard Chinese law.
It does not apply to Hong Kong or Global, nor is the National Security Law the reason for it.
This 2003 law is very broad and open to interpretation, as with all Chinese laws. But this is nothing new for people in China, who already deal with these censorship laws.
Anyway. Here is PlayStation Asia ToS from October 2020 to support above.
PlayStation have tailored their PS5 showcases around first year games for the most part since June.
All the major new games showcased, including God of War Ragnarok (PS5 Exclusive), Final Fantasy XVI (PS5 Console Exclusive) and Hogwarts Legends (Multiplat) are 2021 titles.
The emphasis, as noted in the first tweet, is very much on these blockbuster IP releasing soon and PlayStation 5 being the best place to play.
In addition to exclusive games, Sony continues to invest in exclusive content for third party games. E..g. COD Beta / GTA Online free.
The huge caveat here is that Apple requires each game to have an individual listing and can be purchased or downloaded separately from the subscription service. This could also be a demo version of the game.
One step forward, two steps back imo.
So yes, this is somewhat good news for xCloud, Stadia and other cloud gaming services.
But it's also going to be complicated to implement and may not be something that a cloud game service provider wants to offer in the first place.
Chinese games company iDreamsky is creating new offline entertainment / gaming experiences with investment partners including Tencent, Sony & JD
Best described as the next generation of Internet Cafes, these retail stores offer compelling entertainment experiences
Quick thread
iDreamsky is working with its investors to design a new innovative offline interactive entertainment service model that grows the value of entertainment and games IP.
The store aims to offer content across TV, Movies, Games & esports paired with e-commerce and catering.
The store offers both private and large scale spaces to experience various content.
For example you have the ability to watch on demand movie content in private rooms, or arrange a traditional theatre experience for 20+ people. Includes movies not out on VOD yet. Also KTV rooms
The studio behind Black Myth: Wu Kong did an interview with Chinese media recently. You can watch it below (In Mandarin).
I will include some of the answers + other info from different interviews / posts in a thread below.
1. This game was known internally as Project S. If you followed any of the team on art station or other sites you could see they had been posting art and other teasers from the game for months, but this is when they have finally been able to show off the game in full to the world
2. The studio released this trailer to show the world what they had worked on, recruit new staff who have passion to work on the project, and to network better in the games industry.
3. They remain committed to creating a single player Action Adventure RPG with AAA standards.