How China will make gaming better for everyone

A couple of weeks ago I wrote an article about the dangers of Chinese censorship and the impact it will have on the gaming community. While I stand by my opinion, I also think that China’s emergence into the global games market will be a positive step forward for all of us.

(See: Chinese censorship and its inevitable impact on gaming)

As most of you know, China recently lifted its 13 year console ban, and Microsoft will launch a Chinese version of the Xbox One in September. After 13 years in relative isolation, Chinese gamers and developers are going to become a part of our global community, and that’s a wonderful thing.

It’s easy to be negative about China, but China is more than its government and it has a lot to offer the world. Here are some of the ways I think that China’s emergence will benefit us all.

Some serious history

Most Chinese can tell you that China has been around for 5000 years, and it can’t be denied that there’s a long history behind the Middle Kingdom. We all know the story of the Three Kingdoms, thanks to the umpteen versions of Dynasty Warriors, but China has way more to offer than just this snippet of history.

Have you ever heard of the Taiping Rebellion? Did you know it was one of the biggest wars in history and over 20 million people died during it. That’s more people that died in either of the World Wars! Do you know why? Because one man claimed to be the living brother of Jesus Christ, and was committed to creating a heavenly kingdom on earth. Tell me that wouldn’t make an awesome game.

What about naval battles; Assasin’s Creed IV and Assasin’s Creed: Black Flag made those cool again, so why not one of those games set in China? Did you know that one of the largest naval battles in history took place on a Poyang Lake in China. Over one hundred ships and 10.000 sailors fighting for one lake; who wouldn’t want to see that in action? In fact our very own Charlie Custer wrote a piece about a plot for a China-based Assasin’s Creed game, check the link below and see how awesome that sounds!

(See: I just designed the perfect Assassin’s Creed game. You’re welcome, Ubisoft.)