The Chinese Government isn’t too fond of gaming consoles, having placed a ban on the sale of all “game box” devices since the early 2000’s. However, plenty of things have slipped through the net since then, with knock-offs, quasi-consoles and even illegal grey market products available to those in the know. Things seem to be changing however, as Chinese technology company Lenovo have announced their launch plans for the country’s first fully-fledged home console: the isec. The device (formerly known as the “Ebox”) uses motion-sensing technology in a similar vain to Microsoft’s Kinect and will be launched this winter for 3,000 yuan (roughly $470 ).
There are a few reasons why Lenovo are managing to dodge the Chinese ban, but the main one relates to the technical classification of their device. They consider the isec to be a “home entertainment center” since it not only plays games, but also allows users to listen to music and surf the web. It’s a tenuous distinction, but considering Lenovo’s standing within China, it probably grants them just enough wiggle room to avoid the decade-old regulation.
Will Lenovo’s home console endeavour open the door for Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo to legally sell their products within mainland China? Only time will tell.
