Sony has shut
down its PlayStation Store in China to upgrade its security there — cutting off
income from the world’s largest video game market.
down its PlayStation Store in China to upgrade its security there — cutting off
income from the world’s largest video game market.
PlayStation
China announced the temporary suspension of the store on its Weibo account
Sunday, saying only that it was for a “system security upgrade.” The Japanese
tech company did not indicate when the PlayStation Store might reopen.
China announced the temporary suspension of the store on its Weibo account
Sunday, saying only that it was for a “system security upgrade.” The Japanese
tech company did not indicate when the PlayStation Store might reopen.
The closure
follows social media reports that mainland China PlayStation users had been
able to switch to overseas services via a backdoor in order to circumvent the
Communist regime’s restrictions to download unlicensed games.
follows social media reports that mainland China PlayStation users had been
able to switch to overseas services via a backdoor in order to circumvent the
Communist regime’s restrictions to download unlicensed games.
Earlier this
month, a social media user on Weibo named “senliyingsi” said he had reported
the backdoor to authorities in a post that was later heavily criticized and
shared by thousands of Chinese game enthusiasts.
month, a social media user on Weibo named “senliyingsi” said he had reported
the backdoor to authorities in a post that was later heavily criticized and
shared by thousands of Chinese game enthusiasts.
China requires
that companies obtain a license from its content regulator before launching any
game in the country. It has for years frowned on console games due to concerns
that violent games could have a detrimental effect on the mental health of
young people.
that companies obtain a license from its content regulator before launching any
game in the country. It has for years frowned on console games due to concerns
that violent games could have a detrimental effect on the mental health of
young people.
Last year,
only 13 new games were added to the PlayStation Store in China. Nintendo Switch
has only been allowed to offer three games in its China store in partnership
with Tencent since it started selling consoles in China in December.
only 13 new games were added to the PlayStation Store in China. Nintendo Switch
has only been allowed to offer three games in its China store in partnership
with Tencent since it started selling consoles in China in December.
Sony declined
to comment on whether the reports had played a role in the closure and said the
target of the temporary shutdown was to enhance the safety of the store’s
services.
to comment on whether the reports had played a role in the closure and said the
target of the temporary shutdown was to enhance the safety of the store’s
services.
National Press
and Publication Administration, the content regulator, did not immediately
respond to a request for comment.
and Publication Administration, the content regulator, did not immediately
respond to a request for comment.
