EA Region coding...

[Soundwave]

Think it's somewhat questionable lately.

Looks like they cant make their minds up if they want region coding on 360 software or not to me...originally it was everything region looked, now it's just a mish mash.

for example...

Asian Madden '09 - region free
NHL '09 - Region locked
Dead Space - Region Free on Jpn & US 360 (According to Play-Asia)
Fifa '09 - Region Free on Jpn & US 360 (According to Play-Asia)
NCAA '09 - Region Locked

I just wish they'd dump it altogether & make everything region free.

I really want to play NCAA '09 & NHL '09 but neither are available in Jpn

So does it annoy anyone else??

Neil

[Blade Runner]

The whole system should have been region-free from the start.

[Salsa Party Animal]

Yes agreed. It is not practical for people to keep importing consoles just to play different region games. It is bad for environmental and wastes company resources on making 2 consoles instead of one.

I am annoyed I can't buy Japanese shoot them ups for XBOX 360 to enjoy on my HDTV.

Well Done to Sony for PS3 region coding free (despite region coding on PS2 games)

[fahrenheit]

Tiger 09 and Madden 09 (on 360) were released around the same time and were both region free, but then NHL 09 shattered that trend.

I'd speculate that they were both an oversight and not a deliberate move.

For Dead Space, I'm assuming they are just using the same US discs and saving some money. If the game had a MP component, it would be an entirely different story I'm sure.

[Soundwave]

The whole system should have been region-free from the start.

Thats the thing...I thought the 360 is region free & it's down to developers to region code titles which is why EA's mish-mash of region free/region coded is more annoying...just pick one & stick to it!!!! lol

I do admire Sony though for allowing the PS3 to have all region free software what I dont like is their attitude towards importing...if your going to make it play all games from all territories then why stop us importing???

Neil

[fahrenheit]

if your going to make it play all games from all territories then why stop us importing???

In many regards, SCEA, SCEE, SCEJ are like seperate entities that operate autonomously.

Wouldn't be surprised if the blockades (threats) imposed on Lik-Sang, PA and the like, are at SCEE's bidding and that SCEJ doesn't get involved.

[Blade Runner]

Thats the thing...I thought the 360 is region free & it's down to developers to region code titles which is why EA's mish-mash of region free/region coded is more annoying...just pick one & stick to it!!!! lol

I do admire Sony though for allowing the PS3 to have all region free software what I dont like is their attitude towards importing...if your going to make it play all games from all territories then why stop us importing???

Neil

Sorry, I meant everything should have been region-free from the start.

Surely if MS wanted to, with an update, they could make the console override any region coding from discs?