Should companies embrace import gaming?

[3rdnode]

I was writing this in response to the post where Nintendo threatened to sue import game distributors. Since my answer was a bit off the issue I thought I would give it its own topic.

I think Nintendo (an general industry) are shooting themselves in the foot. I really wish that companies would embrace import gaming help solve the piracy problem (not that Nintendo has one but the lack of DVD support on the GC was a bad idea).

The reason I say that it would help solve the piracy problem, is that most people mod their machines(PS2, Xbox whatever...) so they can play import games not to play pirate games. These mods usually come with the ability to pirate, and since you can do it you do. If there is no reason to mod, then the makers of such chips would have no case in court.

I think they should adopt a region free global distribution scheme where they release Japanese/USA imports to a limited extent for those who really want them (possibly at a higher price) all over the world, then when the regional(ie Uk, USA etc...) is ready, release it at a lower price so that the regular customer could get them. I would be far happier as a customer if with this setup.

Buying a console and not being able to play a game because it will never be released in my country puts me off getting it. If I buy the machine I have the right to buy any game for it, at any time I see fit. Since I am not stealing what is wrong with it?

Just my view, what do you think?

[Kal_El]

I would argue that most people who get machines chipped do it to play pirate games. For example I know 4 people with some sort of chipped console and none have imported anything. Also after asking at my local independent about chipping the XBOX the first thing he pointed out was the fact that I could copy games to the HD, play all the MAME stuff and didn't mention the fact that you could play games from any region.

I totally agree with the region free thing and have thought it should be abolished for some time. We are led to believe we live in a global economy yet these games companies try to restrict us in what we can buy, from where and when. What happened to freedom of choice? Also it would make console mods sole purpose piracy, making it pretty clear cut.

[srgbilco]

IMO, yes, they should. Nothing would please the hardcore more than easy and cheap immediate access to import games. The no modchip aspect would also make importing an easier sell to our PAL friends.

Thing is, nobody is going to do this. The importers will have to pay VAT, since it's an official, on-store release, unlike just buying a couple of games from DVD Box Office. It wrecks the hold publishers have on marketing, price-fixing, etc. And there's the problem of licenses, which may be valid in one country but not the other, like with Winning Eleven, which is PS2 exclusive in Europe but not in the US or Japan.

Most importantly, the publishers will think that mainstream buyers will get confused. If they think that confusion can arise from the PS1 and PS2 hitting shops at the same time, even with their completely different packaging, case etc, then it's going to be a no-brainer that confusion will arise from an NTSC version of a game sitting on shelves, which may or may not play on certain TVs.

[Smeghead]

I think they mean, make the consoles without a regional lock.

If so, that shud have been done with every console, most ppl won't bother importing, except maybe their best fave game franchises, everything else would still come from local retailers etc.

[Ish]

We are led to believe we live in a global economy yet these games companies try to restrict us in what we can buy, from where and when. What happened to freedom of choice? Also it would make console mods sole purpose piracy, making it pretty clear cut.

My pet peeve and one I was ranting about on here the other day. Corporates are all for a global economy when it comes to exploiting cheap labour but dead against it when it comes to selling the stuff they produce (to maximise the retail price in each region). Frankly I think they should be told to go and chew on a big fat turd. But the chances of that happening are slim.

I quite agree with you on removing the region locking - as you say it would make the main point of a mod-chip that of piracy. Of course there's also the whole emulation scene arisen on the XBox due to modding. It would be a shame to lose that.

[Fuddle]

of course consoles should be reagion free....95% of users would never import anyway, most people couldnt care less if america gets the same game 3 months early.
but do games companies employ region protection to stop importers, or it more a piracy measure that just happens to affect region?..i dont know how it works really.

These companies need to realise that importers dont affect sales to any significant degree.
Its widely accepted in other industries that importing is ok. If your buying a car its perfectly normal to import from europe, or even japan.

[Popo]

but do games companies employ region protection to stop importers, or it more a piracy measure that just happens to affect region?

Take Nintendo as an example here - they were found guilty of artificially keeping prices high in Europe for their games during the 90's. It's clear that the primary reason for region lock-out is so that companies can exercise control over us; i.e. what we buy, when we buy, how much we pay for what we buy, etc.

They did this with DVD's too - this was a feature added in by the companies behind the development of the technology much to the chagrin of, well, everyone.

The problem of video standards is now practically a non-factor as the majority of TV's will support that playback function (even my 10+ year old TV supports NTSC playback). Provided games were clearly marked as NTSC or PAL, I think any issues with such a system would be very much in the minority.

[srgbilco]

but do games companies employ region protection to stop importers, or it more a piracy measure that just happens to affect region?

Take Nintendo as an example here - they were found guilty of artificially keeping prices high in Europe for their games during the 90's. It's clear that the primary reason for region lock-out is so that companies can exercise control over us; i.e. what we buy, when we buy, how much we pay for what we buy, etc.

They did this with DVD's too - this was a feature added in by the companies behind the development of the technology much to the chagrin of, well, everyone.

The problem of video standards is now practically a non-factor as the majority of TV's will support that playback function (even my 10+ year old TV supports NTSC playback). Provided games were clearly marked as NTSC or PAL, I think any issues with such a system would be very much in the minority.

Yeah, and Nintendo has shown that it doesn't really care for the small minority who don't have the required tech when they released the Zelda bonus disc in 60Hz only.

I wonder if Nintendo will be fined again for the action that they're attempting now? It's very similar to the Europe price fixing scam, except with US games.

[chipsgravy]

I have to agree making consoles region free would not make a difference to 90% of users. I doubt they would even realise. It would then make the case of console chipping crystal clear that the only reason to do it is to play pirates. It would also enabble joe public to buy games on there holidays confident that it would work. Anyway a few pal dvds are NTSC only and it doesnt seem to cause any problems. I really thought Microsoft had the balls to do this but they backed down at the last minute. It can work though look at Unreal and Mechassault. Heres hoping its full scale next time.
Chippo

[3rdnode]

They funny thing is, Nintendo should be glad that people in the UK are even buying games form them. From what Ihear the are doing really badly in the UK. Is it true Dixons have stopped distributing nintendo games?

Why dont they put some effort into putting some decent ads on tv and letting people know how great their games are instead of giving the peole who are trying to sell their games a hard time?

The future looks like it will be PS2 and Xbox who seem to have some sort of business sense and are in touch with what people want(sort of). If Nintendo keep this up their next console will really flop.