Are there less import players now?

[Concrete donkey]

When I first joined this site back in 2003 I was mainly a PAL gamer, having dabbled with imports only on a couple of Dreamcast games. This grew over time and started importing Gamecube games once the freeloader came out, though just before Datel confirmed they were releasing it I almost brought a switched NTSC Cube.

My first big leap into import gaming happened around the time FFX-2 came out and a regular at the store I work in traded in his US PS2. I picked it up along with the Final Fantasy game and was dead impressed by the lack of boarders. It was only when the UK one was released did I truly appreciate the difference. Now I own both regions but favour American when I can. The DS and PSP were both imported, I didn't want a PSP but as soon as I saw how shiny they were I couldn't resist. Based on the slow releases by Nintendo Europe and the fact that I cant read japanese I brought an American Wii, the first console I brought where for the first time UK games wasn't an option.

So I've gone the other way than some, turning from a PAL to NTSC gamer.

[fatbatch]

I've got an American PS3 (backwards compatibility), Asian 360 (cheaper console and games) and an American Wii (more games, available sooner but still in English). If I buy European games it's usually from this forum or online sales.

[chipsgravy]

I myself have a Jpn 360 because back at launch you couldn't buy a pal model and I also wanted to play Wrestle Kingdom. Ironically Wrestle Kingdom 2 is only avaliable on PS2. My PS3 is imported from the USA, mainly down to prices at the time. My Wii is USA as well bought to play Super Paper Mario.

I have to agree that Nintendo are really lacking behind Microsoft and Sony with late releases and a region locked console.

Of course the only problem we now face is trying to import Jpn PS3 titles as Sony have stuck the thumbscrews on a lot of import places. However theres always eBay. Is this a reason more people go official now.

Or is it the online problems faced by importers?

[charlesr]

Sony had to weigh up going region free to combat mod chip production (if it's region free, then mod chips can only really be for yarrs, although they cocked up by making bluray region locked, so you could still need a chip for that), against people actually importing easily and messing up local targets. Thus the squeeze on distributors I guess, with their region free solution

[charlesr]

As for the topic, yeah it's fairly inevitable really.
Reasons to import:
1) Unoptimised 50Hz conversions
2) Games not released
3) Late releases

1 has been eradicated on HD consoles, so you only need to import the Wii now (in this reason).
2 is becoming less prevelant, although you'll never be able to get away from this one. Fortunately on the ps3 it's not a problem, which leaves the Wii and the 360.
3 MS showed the way on this one. WW releases give people less incentive to import.

[gossi the dog]

I still import the majority of games. However due to now having a full time job I play a lot less than I did 2 to 3 years ago whilst still at university.

[Synthesthesia]

2 is becoming less prevelant, although you'll never be able to get away from this one. Fortunately on the ps3 it's not a problem, which leaves the Wii and the 360.

You would, Digital Distribution Although i'd rather have box versions.

Would they still need to release "PAL" versions through DD? It'd just be a whole lot easier and make more sense if we got games at the same time as America (we speak the same language, durrr)

[charlesr]

For the record, I've got a US 360. Not for any particular reason though apart from a good deal. I was playing Skate 2 weeks before anyone over here, but that's very rare and besides, 2 weeks is almost nothing.

[The Glider]

I don't have any import hardware now - my PSP, DS, Wii & PS3 are all PAL, although I'm mainly importing US games for the handhelds with the odd Japanese puzzler for them.

[fuzzybee]

the last piece of import hardware i bought was an silver US Gamecube four years ago, the only piece of import hardware i still own is a Japanese Dreamcast.
I don't see the need to import hardware now but i still import software especially as the ps3 is region free in that department

[eastyy]

didnt sony clamp down on people importing ? (like lik-sang and play-asia wont ship to europe ps3 stuff )

seems stupid to do region free but then clamp down on it

[Shozuki]

I think as mentioned the whole region free thing was so they stand better on the whole chipping scene.

[fatbatch]

The one I perhaps regret importing is the Asian 360, as I could still play most of the cheaper Asian games on a PAL console and I now find I actually have to wait longer for English language RPGs - Eternal Sonata and possibly Lost Odyssey.

[eastyy]

The one I perhaps regret importing is the Asian 360, as I could still play most of the cheaper Asian games on a PAL console and I now find I actually have to wait longer for English language RPGs - Eternal Sonata and possibly Lost Odyssey.

yeah i agree there to be honest i bought it for senko no ronde.......never would have guessed it would get a pal release

[MikeRox]

Yeah, plus you can't beat just nipping into town to pick up a game on a whim, and with the import retailer all but dead now, online is your only option for getting an import title, and with the post how it's been lately, you can be waiting up to a fortnight for it >_<

I was about to jump into import gaming 100&#37; with the Wii, but the stock shortages and having an xmas temp job at game last year made PAL actually the logical route to take.