'Japan-only' Eternal Sonata demo works in U.S.

by Justin McElroy { May 14th 2007 at 9:50AM }

Let's say, just for kicks, that you were the type that really wanted to play the demo for the upcoming RPG Eternal Sonata. Let's say, again, that you hear that the demo was now on Xbox Live, but it was only for gamers in Japan. Now you have, well, let's call him a Japanese friend that will let you use his Xbox Live account for things like this, only you heard that ~~scam~~ arrangement wouldn't work anymore. Well, call your "friend" and get his permission: U.S. gamers have been playing the thing all morning. What's more? The demo offers full English menus and dialog.

Far be it from us to look a gift demo in the mouth, but isn't this the sort of thing that was supposed to not happen anymore? Was there some part of "you will find that these new security measures will only allow you to purchase and download content that is licensed in the country where you are located" that we misunderstood? Again, we're not complaining, we're all about one planet united under games. We're just curious what changed along the way.

Tags: demo, eternalsonata, japan, xbox360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

JodyAnthony @ May 14th 2007 9:54AM

this and blue dragon are the reasons I'm buying a 360 this year. Because you know, I don't have enough of an RPG backlog as it is.

http://www.jodylovesnintendo.com

Phranctoast @ May 14th 2007 10:04AM

Isnt this games also making it way to the ps3. I heard something recently about this, but Im unsure if it was only a rumor.

Phranctoast @ May 14th 2007 10:04AM

Isnt this games also making it way to the ps3. I heard something recently about this, but Im unsure if it was only a rumor.

Phranctoast @ May 14th 2007 10:05AM

not my fault for the double post. my first joystiq post of the day always seems to double post.

have no idea why ??????

quazi @ May 14th 2007 10:06AM

maybe ms banned ppl from buying videos and such and not demos? thats my guess

aegies @ May 14th 2007 10:45AM

I think the only time we'll see demos being restricted in this manner are when a magazine has an exclusivity deal for a demo disc for content that will be released on live in other territories. I think that's what happened with Chromehounds in the U.S., as OXM had an arrangement to get first dibs on the demo here while there was no such contract in Japan. We also didn't see the Timeshift demo on the Marketplace for the same reason (although don't think you missed anything special, I assure you). Microsoft said the region shifted accounts would still work to access Live. They just wouldn't be able to access protected content.

http://eat-sleep-game.com/news

skullivan @ May 14th 2007 10:48AM

Not only is it playable on US 360's you can tell they totally accounted for US players downloading it, which bodes well for future demos.

When you download it from the Japanese marketplace the file is all in Japanese but when you view it under a US profile it's got an English filename and description. It has an ESRB splash screen and the title screen says "Eternal Sonata". The Japanese title is Trusty Bell.

I'm playing it right now and the game is just gorgeous. I'm also really liking the way they mixed a real time feel into turn based battles. It works even better than Tales of Symphonia. I used to love this type of RPG but got sick of it over the years as they're all exactly the same. I'm really looking forward to this game after the demo though.

kingofwale @ May 14th 2007 10:48AM

there are people in Japan that owns a xbox 360? JUST let everybody download it, Microsoft!

Chuck @ May 14th 2007 11:09AM

How does one go about making a Japanese Live account? I'd love to download this early...

Beezer @ May 14th 2007 11:06AM

Works great on my european (german) Xbox360. This game is the most beautiful you can get on the Xbox360!

quazi @ May 14th 2007 11:19AM

here ya go chuck
http://www.gamersreports.com/article/19/

webrunner @ May 14th 2007 11:29AM

The restriction is just for Video Marketplace, since that's where they have the licensing issues.

Heliophage @ May 14th 2007 11:41AM

Dear God, that was so much fun.

I wasn't a big fan of the town design, since it felt so linear, but out in the forest was a relief. That combat system is amazing.

I love the light/dark special moves, though I haven't seen all of them. I equiped the ones that seemed the coolest, but I'll play through again to see the others (and hear the phrases when I get up to 32 on the echos).

So much fun. I was keeping an eye on it before from curiosity, but I'm definitely getting it now.

As for the English description, voices, menu, etcetera, it probably means our demo is coming shortly. Even so, I'm not all that patient, so thanks for the heads up.

Dolla Dolla @ May 14th 2007 11:44AM

@Phranctoast

The ESRB had a rating up for both the 360 and PS3 a while back, but it has since been removed. No statements were made by anyone, not even the normal "There are no plans to bring Eternal Sonata to the PS3 at this time."

So, it's possible that it won't make it to the PS3, or that it's a timed exclusive and won't see the PS3 for at least 6-12 months.

Joe Smith @ May 14th 2007 11:52AM

Maybe this demo IS licensed for WW play -- but just hasn't released WW yet. You guys all jumped to the conclusion that the new protections would lock you out of anything from other regions -- but isn't it more reasonable to assume that the lockouts will only be used where they have to be for legal reasons? I have never understood why Joystiq always assumes hte worst then acts surprised when things aren't as bad as they assumed they would be.

sheppy @ May 14th 2007 12:04PM

"I have never understood why Joystiq always assumes hte worst then acts surprised when things aren't as bad as they assumed they would be."

They assumed the worst because Microsoft told them the worst.

Anonymous @ May 14th 2007 12:05PM

By reporting this, you've basically kicked any non-hawk eyed live users with Japanese accounts in the balls. It's a race now, whether or not they will check for new demo's first, or whether Microsoft will plug the hole first.

Jake @ May 14th 2007 12:24PM

There is no reason demo's can't be released for everybody, granted the languages are all available. For video content, licensing agreements will often legally restrict content offered to US users from being offered to, say, European customers.

But demo's are free and basically are an advertisement for the game. They will also be released everywhere at some time.

machrc @ May 14th 2007 12:30PM

@11

Thanks for the link Quazi! Gonna go make me a nippon account here at work and sign on when I get home!

suh-weet!

chathampax @ May 14th 2007 12:51PM

@11

Quasi you are the man! I followed the easy step-by-step directions on the website to add a Japanese XBOX live account. It only took 10 minutes and now I'm playing Eternal Sonata or Trusty Bell...whatever name you prefer. Thanks again bro!

Aeikozz @ May 14th 2007 12:57PM

gotta love how a japanese demo is rate by the esrb

they don't exist in japan too do they?

LongshotX @ May 14th 2007 2:17PM

If you let the game start screen just run to the cut scenes they say some really wierd stuff. I don't know if Eternal Sonata is going to have a great story but it certainly seems like its going to be very interesting especially with Polka's tongue twisting dialogue. This is what she said in one cutscene (not totally accurate).

"You say the whole world is just a dream you're having..but if this is a dream then how can you tell if what you're dreaming is a dream in that what you're experiencing in the dream is that much more realistic?" -Polka

polly @ May 14th 2007 2:21PM

Looks real good, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of depth to the gameplay.

Eggman @ May 14th 2007 4:18PM

It's a demo. They aren't going to just let you have every piece of the game in a demo.

RPG's get deeper as you get farther into them.

Jesus Christ.

rom @ May 14th 2007 4:24PM

@quazi

I'm playing the demo because of you.

Thank you!

webrunner @ May 14th 2007 4:31PM

They always said, it was just licensed content, and I'm pretty sure only the video marketplace has licensed content.

angrybob @ May 14th 2007 4:50PM

thanks alot big mouths, marketplace is now down until further notice, the microsoft rep i spoke to cited "server issues" and could tell me little else. word to the wise,when you find out about some thing cool, tell a couple of friends. dont stand on the empire state building with a megaphone asking for the update that will ruin this for everyone