Microsoft delays Xbox One launch in China

Microsoft is delaying the launch of its Xbox One console in China — a launch that was supposed to take place this Tuesday but will now happen sometime before the end of the year.

The company didn’t give a reason for the delay but issued the following statement:

Despite strong and steady progress, we are going to need a bit more time to deliver the best experiences possible for our fans in China. At Xbox, we pride ourselves on delivering first-rate gaming and entertainment experiences, and to allow us to deliver on that promise, we need to reschedule the launch of Xbox One. Working with our partner, BesTV, we look forward to launching in China by the end of this year. We’re looking forward to hosting our fans and partners in China on Sept. 22 at the Oriental Pearl Tower as planned, and will have hands-on gameplay, entertainment and Xbox One giveaways.

Microsoft had been set to launch its newest gaming console this week, following the lifting earlier this year of a 13-year ban by the Chinese government on the sale of foreign consoles.

Microsoft, which has partnered with China-based BesTV, for the venture, is selling the console starting at ¥3,699 CNY (about $603 USD), are already being taken.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is set to visit China, along with Japan, Korea and India, on a trip this month. The trip comes amidst an antitrust investigation of Microsoft conducted by the Chinese government — one of several such probes the government has launched against foreign companies. Antitrust authorities there have raised questions about compatibility issues related to Windows and Office, as well as Microsoft’s use of verification codes.

Microsoft has not said whether Nadella will be meeting with Chinese officials about the investigation, or whether Xbox One issues are on his trip agenda.

-the siattle times