Region locking rumoured to be behind PS4’s Chinese delay

The PS4’s ability to play games from any region could be the cause of its sudden delay in China, reports have suggested.

Kotaku says that Chinese reports suggest that the delay, announced just days before its proposed Chinese launch on January 11th, is due to complaints that the console’s ability to play games purchased in any region will make it easy for buyers to play titles not approved by the strict Chinese regime.

One Chinese forum has even reposted what it claims is a copy of a government report form expressing concern that the potential importing of non-approved games may bring harm to our nation” and requesting that Sony China be punished for these anti-China actions”.

Although the region status of Chinese consoles has not yet been explicitly specified, review units sent out to the Chinese press were, like all other PS4s, able to play games from any region, including its more liberal-minded neighbour Hong Kong.

Sony president and Group CEO Andrew House has previously blamed the delay on a government requested for a re-evaluation of Sony’s business plans”.

The company is yet to announce a new release date for the machine in China and has been offering refunds to those who have already pre-ordered it.