Microsoft has pulled the plug on the Chinese Xbox One release the day before the console was set to go on sale.
With the Xbox One having been scheduled for release in the country tomorrow, Tuesday September 23, Microsoft has revealed the PS4 rival will now not be available to Chinese gamers until an undisclosed point later in the year.
With China having lifted a 14-year sales ban on foreign games consoles earlier this year, there was increased significance to the Xbox One’s arrival in the country.
Failing to give a precise reason for the last minute delays, Microsoft has claimed it simply “needs a bit more time” to get its near year old console ready for the Chinese market.
"Despite strong and steady progress, we are going to need a bit more time to deliver the best experiences possible for our fans in China," an official Microsoft spokesperson told CVG.
They added: "At Xbox, we pride ourselves on delivering first-rate gaming and entertainment experiences, and to allow us to deliver on that promise, we need to reschedule the launch of Xbox One."
The company has confirmed that all existing pre-orders will be honoured when the console finally arrives.
With Forza Motorsport 5 expected to be one of the launch titles for the Xbox’s Chinese bow, Microsoft announced back in July it was working with local developers on new, region-specific games.
The company stated it is “working to bring their favourites to China,” adding “thirteen of China’s best developers are already working to bring new IP and fan-favourite games to Xbox One.”
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