The first ever Region Locked PS3 game

[ETC]

Already been said in the

Persona 4 Arena thread but worthy of its own thread

It all stems from this forum post over on Atlus forums

http://www.atlus.com/forum/showpost.php?p=288772&postcount=2483

Naturally Gaf is going bat**** crazy about it

http://m.neogaf.com/showthread.php?t=481227&page=18

So what do you think about it?

I wouldn't have bought it anyway but I don't like the preceden and what it may mean for future Atlus or indeed any PS3 titles down the line and don't even mention P4 Golden to me

[J0e Musashi]

There has been region locked PSN stuff already hasn't there?

[ETC]

This is not PSN though D it's a full disc release

[nakamura]

I don't care to be honest. As annoying as region locking is, if they will released it is this territory it matters not to me. Region locking is the normal in gaming so we should be more than used to it.

[speedlolita]

I don't really care either, but it's a shame I guess.

[J0e Musashi]

From what I gather, the Japanese import cheaper Asian versions, not NTSC-U/C versions anyway.

[speedlolita]

Yakumo has gotten PAL versions of games from Amazon Japan I've noticed, and US. That's a 360 example, but maybe retailers are importing games to increase profit margins too.

[briareos_kerensky]

Mirroring everyone so far, I don't care about P4U, hoping it won't set a trend for future releases.

[sj33]

I'm glad my PS3 is US now. While I'm not interested in this specific title, it is worrying. If publishers insist on region locking, then I just import - clearly they don't want me buying domestic titles. Two can play their game.

[ETC]

So the real problem if it indeed is true is the dual language track an the fact that Japan has never had a set baseline rrp for games like here or the USA (?30-40, $50-60 etc) typical. Let's just hope if it happens it kicks Atlus in the face and puts off any of the bigger publishers from locking down their ps3 stuff it's 6 years in now ffs. I know it's commonplace on other systems (looks nastily at my 3ds) but how **** was it when we had to buy 2 or usually 3 systems just to have choice, speaking as someone who has had 3
Ps2's a Japanese 360 and 3DS I hope we are not going back down that road again or I for one will go the chip route, not for piracy but I like my choice.

[ETC]

I don't care to be honest. As annoying as region locking is, if they will released it is this territory it matters not to me. Region locking is the normal in gaming so we should be more than used to it.

But look at some games that came out because of iimporters word of mouth. As much as I hate it Demons Souls for one would never have gotten a NA/EU release if it wasn't for the rave early iimporters reviews (ironically it was published by Atlus) without that no Dark Souls so 2 games you wouldn't have had. Red Seeds is another a classic which is in english only in its xbox360 costume. Not to mention things like Project Diva, K-On etc games that have zero chance of making the localisation but can still be played.

Whoever makes the next system region free mandatorily wins my cash be it MS, Sony or (laughs as its never going to happen) Nintendo

[Sketcz]

I don't care to be honest. As annoying as region locking is, if they will released it is this territory it matters not to me. Region locking is the normal in gaming so we should be more than used to it.

This is a ridiculous and infuriating response to read from a member of the gaming community. It's NOT ****ING NORMAL. It's an imposed system - it is forced upon us. Nothing is normal if the people enduring don't like it and don't want it. You're just a bizarre anomaly for accepting something abhorrent.

You could say the same about war:

I don't care to be honest. As annoying as war is, if they will avoid it in my back yard it matters not to me. War is the normal in human history so we should be more than used to it.

It doesn't matter how many wars have occurred for the last 5'000 years, it's still ****ty, in precisely the same way that region locking is and always will be ****ty.

FFS!


This decision by Atlus is unforgivable, sets a dangerous precedent, and is just moronically mean-spirited.

I'll believe it when I see it though. Maybe they're posturing to scare people off importing, and spreading misinformation. I couldn't care less for the game, but I sincerely hope it's region free and Atlus are just blowing steam, otherwise it's another crushing blow for the industry.

I hope the company goes bankrupt. What a bunch of idiots.

[PaTaito]

I hope they dont they release great titles.

And really does it bother you that much this far into the ps3's lifespan.....besides the fact that others are unlikely to follow suite?

It sucks but i certainly wont lose any sleep over a japanese text heavy rpg/fighter getting region locked.

Also if the asian import market is encroaching into japanese sales(the primary market for persona AND 2d fighters), then the strategy is completely understandable. You see enough firms struggling or biting the dust these days in this industry.

[nakamura]

You are comparing war to region locking and calling Atlus a bunch of idiots?

Region locking is one of those things, get over it. Atlus have obviously taken a business decision that is well within their right. I hope it doesn't become the norm but if t does I'm not going to sit here and cry about it.

It irks me that the 3ds is locked but such is life.

[Sketcz]

You are comparing war to region locking?

Yes, I dislike both immensely. Both also seem to be the systemic result of stupidity, greed and short-sightedness in human beings.