China may lift ban on video game consoles: source

Chinese officials are considering lifting a ban on video game consoles that would allow Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation and Nintendo Wii consoles to be sold in China legally for the first time in 13 years, China Daily reported.

"We are reviewing the policy and have conducted some surveys and held discussions with other ministries on the possibility of opening up the game console market," a source from the Ministry of Culture told China Daily. "However, since the ban was issued by seven ministries more than a decade ago, we will need approval from all parties to lift it.”

Manufacturing, selling or importing game consoles was banned in 2000 due to concerns that online video games were an unhealthy influence on young people, China Daily reported.

Government-approved mobile and online games are allowed in China, TechCrunch reported.

According to TechCrunch:

Games are typically required to include anti-addiction features which monitor how long a gamer has been playing and warns them to take breaks for health reasons.

In Tokyo, Sony shares rose 8 percent and Nintendo shares increased more than 3.5 percent as console ban rumors hit the market, Reuters reported.

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