GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

With PS4 Launch Looming, Microsoft Cuts Xbox One Price in China

Xbox One price in China cut by around $80, making it far more competitive with the PS4, which launches there next month.

307 Comments
No Caption Provided

With just one month to go before Sony releases the PlayStation 4 in China, Microsoft has cut the price of the Xbox One in the gamer-rich nation by around $80 in a move that will make Microsoft's console more competitively priced against Sony's.

The Xbox One launched in China in September for RMB 3,699 ($600) without Kinect and RMB 4,299 ($694) with Kinect. The RMB 500 ($80.79) price drops announced this week bring Xbox One prices down to RMB 3,199 ($517) without Kinect and 3,799 ($614) with the camera technology.

No Caption Provided

By comparison, Sony announced just last week that the PS4 will launch January 11 in China at RMB 2,899 ($468). Microsoft's pricing action today brings the price gap between Xbox One and PS4 down from RMB 800 ($129) to 300 RMB 300 ($48).

Another thing to consider, however, is that both Xbox One models come with at least two free games in China, while the PS4 does not feature any bundled titles.

"As with many global products, specific pricing, promotions and offers vary by market. In China, Xbox is running a special promotion that began on Nov 11, 2014," a Microsoft representative said about the price drop. "Xbox One without Kinect in China is available starting at RMB 3,199, and includes Powerstar Golf and Neverwinter Online. Xbox One with Kinect starts at RMB 3,799, and includes Powerstar Golf, Neverwinter Online, and Dance Central Spotlight."

"Both include a localized Chinese interface, translated content, local payment methods, innovative pricing models for games, free access to Xbox Live Gold through March 2015, local customer support, and a two-year warranty," Microsoft added.

Microsoft launched the Xbox One in China in late September, and the system reportedly sold around 100,000 units during its launch week. In launching the Xbox One, Microsoft's system became the first console to be officially and legally sold in China since 2000, when consoles were banned over concerns about the detrimental affect they could have on the physical and mental development of children.

China officially lifted the console ban earlier this year, though the country's long list of censorship rules has kept big-selling games such as Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare and Grand Theft Auto V out of the market.

Microsoft's decision to launch the Xbox One in China was not universally praised. Alice developer American McGee, who lives in China, said the move to bring the system to China was a "blunder" that would "cost them dearly."

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Join the conversation
There are 307 comments about this story