Joystiq

Nintendo maintains region-locking policy with Wii U

Sinan Kubba — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 09:45:00 EST

Nintendo today disclosed that the Wii U is region-locked. Speaking to CVG, the company confirmed the new console won't support games purchased outside of its region, meaning North American Wii U systems can only play games bought in North America. Nintendo then closed its arms and grumbled furiously under its breath, before finally blowing us an unnecessarily long raspberry (or so it seemed to us.)

While Sony and Microsoft leave the decision to region-lock games with publishers, Nintendo typically takes matters into its own hands. The GameCube, Wii, and 3DS are all region-locked, although the DS isn't. We should know, we've played plenty of Ouendan on ours. Such good times (sigh.)

Nintendo maintains region-locking policy with Wii U originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atlus explains Persona 4 Arena's region lock, expresses surprise at 'force' of community disapproval

JC Fletcher — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 23:00:00 EST

The unprecedented decision to region-lock the PS3 release of Persona 4 Arena will not lead to a "slippery slope," Atlus PR and sales manager Aram Jabbari said in a statement (available in full after the break).

"This is NOT the beginning of a new ATLUS policy, nor do we view it as a precedent or a slippery slope," Jabbari said. "If anything, your determination and dedication to what you believe in has certainly stood in the face of that. This is an isolated case, a situation precipitated by a number of factors, some of which are simply out of our North American hands." He admits that Atlus was "completely unprepared for the force with which the community communicated their disapproval."

Jabbari explained that the North American release contains both Japanese and English audio tracks, and will be released very close to the Japanese version (August 7 in North America and July 26 in Japan). "The unforeseen consequence in all of this was that we had a version of our biggest game of the year releasing within a couple weeks in two territories, both identical in content, but at radically different price points."

Because of the difference between the yen and the dollar's values right now, this situation could lead to mass importing, which would "cannibalize the performance of a title in one territory to the benefit of another." For reference, the Japanese retail price of Persona 4 Arena is ¥7,329, roughly $92, versus $59.99 in North America.

"The decision to region-lock P4 Arena was a business one, one that has very clearly affected how many perceive the project," Jabbari concluded, "but we ask you to please not overlook the exceptional efforts of the people behind the game and to work with us through constructive dialogue."

Continue reading Atlus explains Persona 4 Arena's region lock, expresses surprise at 'force' of community disapproval

Atlus explains Persona 4 Arena's region lock, expresses surprise at 'force' of community disapproval originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Persona 4 Arena will be region locked on PS3

Jordan Mallory — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 19:15:00 EST

The PlayStation 3 version of Persona 4 Arena carries with it an unusual distinction: The Arc System Works-developed fighter will be region locked, meaning that North and South American copies of the game won't function on Japanese PS3s, and vice-versa.

"Yes, the PS3 version game will be region-locked. I certainly can't offer details as to why, but there might be an official response at some point," said an Atlus employee on the company's official forums.

"To reiterate, our version of the game works for the North and South America regions. Also keep in mind that both the NA and JP versions have both English and Japanese text/voice options, making them nearly identical. I'm unsure of what the case will be for the EU version."

While Blu-ray film playback has been subject to regional limitations since the get go, PS3 games have only been limited by the differences between PAL and NTSC -- standards which have waned in relevance since HD televisions became more prevalent.

Persona 4 Arena will be region locked on PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Vita limited to one PSN account per console

JC Fletcher — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:35:00 EST

Say goodbye to your convenient Japanese PSN account. NeoGAFfer mehdi_san took part in a PlayStation Vita demo event in Osaka, and received a flyer with launch information. A note at the end, according to the user's transcription, reveals that only one user account can be used on a Vita system. "If you want to use a different account," the (translated) FAQ entry reads, "you need to format the system to factory settings."

This leads not only to the inability to have separate user accounts for family members, but to de facto region locking for digital content. Taken with the limited UMD Passport launch lineup, the limited (to zero) PSOne Classics launch lineup, and those memory card prices, the Vita is starting to lose some of its luster, at least as a day-one purchase. But that screen!

Report: Vita limited to one PSN account per console originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo comments on 3DS region locking

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:30:00 EST

Nintendo has offered vague confirmation to VG247 of last week's report that 3DS hardware and software would include regional lockout programming. "Nintendo 3DS hardware is available in three versions: Japanese, American and European/Australian," clarified a company statement, which added that "there is the possibility that Nintendo 3DS software sold in one region will not function properly when running on Nintendo 3DS hardware sold in another."

Nintendo cited obvious language differences, as well as regional age ratings, parental controls and "local laws" as factors in the manufacturing of (subtly) different hardware models. Additionally, the variations of the handheld are designed to provide "network services" that are compatible with regional technology. Like the DSi Shop before it, the 3DS's digital distribution channel is likely to be only stocked with region-locked content.

As for physical products, Nintendo assured that "guidance" would appear on all 3DS hardware and software packaging. (NTSC-coded Wii game boxes, for example, include the note: "For sale, rental and use only in the USA, Canada, Mexico and Latin America.") "If you are in doubt," the statement concluded, "Nintendo recommends that you only purchase Nintendo 3DS software in the region where [you] purchased your Nintendo 3DS system."

Tomorrow, you'll find out how to purchase that system in your region of choice -- and for how much.

Nintendo comments on 3DS region locking originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 3DS will be region locked

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST

Unlike the GameBoy, GameBoy Advance, and DS before it, Nintendo's next handheld may not play nice with games outside of its designated region. A report on Korean gaming site RuliWeb details an alleged interaction between Nintendo customer support in Japan and an individual inquiring about 3DS region locking. The supposed Nintendo Japan support officer specifically spells out, "There are no region codes in DS and DS Lite, but DSi, DSi [XL], and 3DS have region codes. The region codes are installed in each game and the 3DS itself ... you can't play if the region codes are different."

As Tiny Cartridge points out, the DSi and DSi XL both include a form of region locking in that DSi systems can only access their own region's DSi Shop, and DSi-enhanced releases (read: games that use the camera, among other things) are locked to the region in which they're released. The 3DS's region locking sounds like it works the same way: the alleged Nintendo rep spells out, "For example, if you play a Korean 3DS game with a Japanese 3DS system (or vice versa), you won't be able to play at all." Nintendo had yet to respond to request for comment as of publishing.

Report: 3DS will be region locked originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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