NeoGAF

Alcibiades · (12-17-2012, 11:29 AM)

Originally Posted by Tenck:

Yes because everyone who wants to hack their 3DS is obviously going to do it for region free.

Give me a break.

Would have been one less motivation though.

wsippel · (12-17-2012, 11:32 AM)

Originally Posted by Alcibiades:

Would have been one less motivation though.

You don't think anyone in the scene gives a fuck, right? They hack because they're hackers and that's what hackers do. No region lock wouldn't make a difference to them.

Spanish Wrath · (12-17-2012, 11:33 AM)

Not the main reason, but this kind of issues are the ones that motivate hackers.

wrowa · (12-17-2012, 12:01 PM)

Originally Posted by acm2000:

it still makes me laugh that most people use "region free" as a cover up for their true intentions

Do you own a 3DS? That stance is hard to understand when you both a) own a 3DS and b) live in the UK like your profile states. I assume you are exclusively interested in Nintendo's own games then?

After all, the support by western developers is pretty much non-existent. The 3DS only has its Japanese games going for it, but in this day and age many interesting games are even struggling just to see a release in the US at least. Europe? That's another matter all together and most niche publishers don't seem to look at the European markets as more than an afterthought.

It's double frustrating. Not only do we have to worry about games getting a release in English at all, if a game sees an English release we also have to hope that by some kind of miracle it'll also see a European release. Preferably not a year late. Yeah, I belong to the strange group who'd like to play DS: Overclocked for example. Was released in the US in August 2011 and it was released in Europe in... oh, it's going to be released next February. 1 1/2 years after its US release, 2 years after its original Japanese release. Cool.

I already anticipate to play SMT4 in 2015.

luca1980 · 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by Tenck:

Yes because everyone who wants to hack their 3DS is obviously going to do it for region free.

everyone no.

yet few peolple who love japanese gaming would benefit for a hack: i could play dqvii remake in japanese to learn it, i could play smt iv day one and other titles.

GhostTrick · (12-17-2012, 12:06 PM)

Originally Posted by wrowa:

Do you own a 3DS? That stance is hard to understand when you both a) own a 3DS and b) live in the UK like your profile states. I assume you are exclusively interested in Nintendo's own games then?

After all, the support by western developers is pretty much non-existent. The 3DS only has its Japanese games going for it, but in this day and age many interesting games are even struggling just to see a release in the US at least. Europe? That's another matter all together and most niche publishers don't seem to look at the European markets as more than an afterthought.

It's double frustrating. Not only do we have to worry about games getting a release in English at all, if a game sees an English release we also have to hope that by some kind of miracle it'll also see a European release. Preferably not a year late. Yeah, I belong to the strange group who'd like to play DS: Overclocked for example. Was released in the US in August 2011 and it was released in Europe in... oh, it's going to be released next February. 1 1/2 years after its US release, 2 years after its original Japanese release. Cool.

I already anticipate to play SMT4 in 2015.

That's it ! Code of Princess still not in Europe. No Etrian Odyssey 4, and I still want to play Devil Survivor Overclocked. But what will happens with SMT4 ?

Mistouze · (12-17-2012, 12:12 PM)

Originally Posted by acm2000:

it still makes me laugh that most people use "region free" as a cover up for their true intentions

Every fucking time we got geniuses reading minds in those threads. Plz stahp.

Bring me region free, great times on the DS playing imports like Ouendan, Rythm Tengoku (before it came in the west) or Band Brothers.

Burai · (12-17-2012, 12:12 PM)

Originally Posted by acm2000:

it still makes me laugh that most people use "region free" as a cover up for their true intentions

It still makes me laugh that even after the sea of grey names that have thrown around baseless accusations of piracy that you'd post something like this.

Coxy · (12-17-2012, 12:27 PM)

Originally Posted by wrowa:

I already anticipate to play SMT4 in 2015.

if at all, a bunch of DS games didnt make it over and code of princess hasnt shown any signs that I see :/

gameongreggy · (12-17-2012, 12:32 PM)

Stop calling yourselves hackers. It's not hacking when all you do is put a card in. Unless there's some coding involved or kernel writing, etc.

Cosmo Clock 21 · (12-17-2012, 12:41 PM)

Originally Posted by gameongreggy:

Stop calling yourselves hackers. It's not hacking when all you do is put a card in. Unless there's some coding involved or kernel writing, etc.

Nobody is saying this.

EmmanuelMunoz · (12-17-2012, 12:47 PM)

Originally Posted by gameongreggy:

Stop calling yourselves hackers. It's not hacking when all you do is put a card in. Unless there's some coding involved or kernel writing, etc.

I think you are confused.

Muffin Awesome · 12:56 PM

If all that comes of this is a game shark/action replay/code breaker I would be ecstatic. I love me hex editors.

dark10x · (12-17-2012, 01:18 PM)

Originally Posted by acm2000:

it still makes me laugh that most people use "region free" as a cover up for their true intentions

I'm moving to Europe in just a couple of months. I've already sunk a lot of money into the 3DS (both the original and XL hardware revisions and lots of software) but I won't be able to use those machines where I'm moving. I'm either going to have to spend a whole lot more to import games from the US or I'm going to have to buy a third 3DS system for European games.

On top of that, I can read Japanese and enjoy playing Japanese games. With the 3DS taking off in that region there are lots of opportunities to enjoy such games available but if I want to take part in that I'd have to buy yet another system.

The 3DS is a handheld. People travel with handhelds. The idea that you're locked out of buying games from other regions is more frustrating with a handheld than with any console.

Cataferal · (12-17-2012, 01:38 PM)

Originally Posted by acm2000:

it still makes me laugh that most people use "region free" as a cover up for their true intentions

Picture your most anticipated game for the 3DS, and then imagine how you'd feel if no publisher picks it up for a UK launch.

Pretty disappointing, no? It's not as bad as the SNES/PSX era was for European JRPG fans, but it's still necessary to import if you're a fan of certain genres.

Freyjadour · (12-17-2012, 01:43 PM)

Originally Posted by meppi:

Let's not kid ourselves into thinking these hackers are doing it for the good of 3DS owners or to bring justice to the evil Nintendo corporation for region locking the system.

Nope, you're correct. They're probably doing it for the challenge of it.

DragonSworne · (12-17-2012, 01:44 PM)

If you want to hack the 3DS get a dev kit.

I heard you can run any code on 3DS dev kits.

wsippel · (12-17-2012, 01:46 PM)

Originally Posted by Freyjadour:

Nope, you're correct. They're probably doing it for the challenge of it.

Exactly.

ElectricBlanketFire · (12-17-2012, 01:57 PM)

Originally Posted by gameongreggy:

Stop calling yourselves hackers. It's not hacking when all you do is put a card in. Unless there's some coding involved or kernel writing, etc.

Oersted · (12-17-2012, 02:02 PM)

Originally Posted by acm2000:

it still makes me laugh that most people use "region free" as a cover up for their true intentions

After the PSP was hacked,we all know, the game sales went trough the roof. After DS was hacked, noone cared about flash cards where you have been able to own over 50 DS games. Hacked consoles have been always for the greater good of developers.

Graphics Horse · (12-17-2012, 02:24 PM)

I better go back and enjoy Mario Kart 7 while I still can.

hunnies28 · (12-17-2012, 02:26 PM)

Originally Posted by Graphics Horse:

I better go back and enjoy Mario Kart 7 while I still can.

Blue shells... blue shells everywhere!

Zaptruder · (12-17-2012, 02:27 PM)

Come to me region free~

jcm · (12-17-2012, 02:43 PM)

Originally Posted by dark10x:

I'm moving to Europe in just a couple of months. I've already sunk a lot of money into the 3DS (both the original and XL hardware revisions and lots of software) but I won't be able to use those machines where I'm moving. I'm either going to have to spend a whole lot more to import games from the US or I'm going to have to buy a third 3DS system for European games.

On top of that, I can read Japanese and enjoy playing Japanese games. With the 3DS taking off in that region there are lots of opportunities to enjoy such games available but if I want to take part in that I'd have to buy yet another system.

The 3DS is a handheld. People travel with handhelds. The idea that you're locked out of buying games from other regions is more frustrating with a handheld than with any console.

I agree region locking sucks, so why do you support it? Quit buying region locked consoles and region locked games.

dark10x · (12-17-2012, 02:48 PM)

Originally Posted by jcm:

I agree region locking sucks, so why do you support it? Quit buying region locked consoles and region locked games.

The games are my weakness. I'd love to be able to write off the 3DS as a whole (though I did buy all of that hardware/software before knowing that we were moving) but there are too many good games that will no doubt appear on the platform that I don't want to miss.

jcm · (12-17-2012, 03:02 PM)

Originally Posted by dark10x:

The games are my weakness. I'd love to be able to write off the 3DS as a whole (though I did buy all of that hardware/software before knowing that we were moving) but there are too many good games that will no doubt appear on the platform that I don't want to miss.

I hear ya. One of these days, though, someone's going to release a console that stays locked, and the region locking situation won't change until we tell Sony/Nintendo/MS that region locking will cost them money.

Castor Krieg · (12-17-2012, 03:09 PM)

Originally Posted by dark10x:

The games are my weakness. I'd love to be able to write off the 3DS as a whole (though I did buy all of that hardware/software before knowing that we were moving) but there are too many good games that will no doubt appear on the platform that I don't want to miss.

There are so many games that is a non-issue. I have a gaming PC and a PS3, both technically region-free, and I don't have time to play even half of the releases I want. No need for me to support bad business practices.

NinjaTehFish · (12-17-2012, 03:11 PM)

Originally Posted by gameongreggy:

Stop calling yourselves hackers. It's not hacking when all you do is put a card in. Unless there's some coding involved or kernel writing, etc.

Jackano · (12-17-2012, 03:18 PM)

Originally Posted by ffdgh:

Oh yes this most definitely...tho it would be needed if nintendo and other companies added a freaking sound test to their games.

And beta stuff is a must too.

Mostly depends on the director. I'm pretty Sakurai very well know, as a VG music lover, that there are peope out there who work to ripping VG music, always around the red line with piracy. There is always a sound test, without annoying sfx in his games. At least unlockable.

Further than that, by paying $60 or even 70€ for a Wii U game, I would like to fully enjoy the OST by having, for example, a Nintendo eShop UTunes with free access to the soundtracks of the games I registered. But this is an idea a little too much forward thinking ^^

Zornica · (12-17-2012, 04:54 PM)

Originally Posted by dark10x:

I'm moving to Europe in just a couple of months. I've already sunk a lot of money into the 3DS (both the original and XL hardware revisions and lots of software) but I won't be able to use those machines where I'm moving. I'm either going to have to spend a whole lot more to import games from the US or I'm going to have to buy a third 3DS system for European games.

On top of that, I can read Japanese and enjoy playing Japanese games. With the 3DS taking off in that region there are lots of opportunities to enjoy such games available but if I want to take part in that I'd have to buy yet another system.

The 3DS is a handheld. People travel with handhelds. The idea that you're locked out of buying games from other regions is more frustrating with a handheld than with any console.

I suppose that means you'll be also working in europe than? If so, importing games from the US isn't actually that expensiv. most of the time, it's even cheaper than buying it locally. Even if the Euro isn't as strong as it used to be, you still have a small advantage paying with it for dollar prices (same goes for pounds). Half of my ds library consists of us games, and I haven't paid more than 20€ shipping included for any of them.

I am not sure how I feel about homebrew. I'd like to import more niche stuff, thats for sure, but if hacking the system to be able to import those nice games means that localised niche games suffer form piracy and thus even less of them will make it over on the long run... not sure if I'd want that to happen.

dark10x · (12-17-2012, 04:56 PM)

Originally Posted by Zornica:

I suppose that means you'll be also working in europe than? If so, importing games from the US isn't actually that expensiv. most of the time, it's even cheaper than buying it locally. Even if the Euro isn't as strong as it used to be, you still have a small advantage paying with it for dollar prices (same goes for pounds). Half of my ds library consists of us games, and I haven't paid more than 20€ shipping included for any of them.

I am not sure how I feel about homebrew. I'd like to import more niche stuff, thats for sure, but if hacking the system to be able to import those nice games means that localised niche games suffer form piracy and thus even less of them will make it over on the long run... not sure if I'd want that to happen.

Oh really? What's the best source to import from?

I'll be living and working in France and I've been concerned about how I would go about getting new releases.

KojiKnight · (12-17-2012, 04:58 PM)

This is an international gaming enthusiasts forum... Import locking DOES mean a lot to a lot of people here. No one likes feeling left out, and threads where a bunch of people getting to play the game months and/or at all when you can't can be frustrating as hell.

The way I see it, importing does the most "harm" across Europe. Solution? F*** Europe and at least let us Yanks import Japanese titles ;)

wrowa · (12-17-2012, 05:07 PM)

Originally Posted by dark10x:

Oh really? What's the best source to import from?

I'll be living and working in France and I've been concerned about how I would go about getting new releases.

http://www.videogamesplus.ca/ can be recommended. They've got hacked last year, so if you are worried about the safety of your data you should be careful. It's pretty much the best site to import games from NA, though...

You would be paying about 23€-30€ for a new 3DS game (excluding shipping) ordering from there. Cheaper than buying locally in any case, even if just slightly. (You might need to pay customs, though. I don't know how that's regulated in France)

Shining Sunshine · (12-17-2012, 05:10 PM)

Originally Posted by Oersted:

After the PSP was hacked,we all know, the game sales went trough the roof.

And you mean through the roof when you were doing the handstand, right?

Zornica · (12-17-2012, 05:20 PM)

Originally Posted by dark10x:

Oh really? What's the best source to import from?

I'll be living and working in France and I've been concerned about how I would go about getting new releases.

Depends on the game. I buy most of my imports from ebay (new and sealed) or vg.ca. Shipping times can range from 5 days to 3 weeks.
Sometimes even amazon.uk/it/de/fr/sp sells us versions.
I wouldn't worry to much. There is also a pretty good import store in paris somewhere. At least Gaf said so.

Nemo · (12-17-2012, 05:28 PM)

Originally Posted by Oersted:

After the PSP was hacked,we all know, the game sales went trough the roof. After DS was hacked, noone cared about flash cards where you have been able to own over 50 DS games. Hacked consoles have been always for the greater good of developers.

This was actually my biggest motivation. Having all your games with you on one cart is amazing. DS was my favorite system because of this

Rm88~ · (12-17-2012, 05:38 PM)

I have a DS flash card somewhere. It got plenty of use, but the truth is I buy lots of DS games and it feels wrong not playing them. So it acted more as a "demo" device and a decent NES emulator. My friends? Yeah, they were done buying DS software forever :(

GhostTrick · (12-17-2012, 05:40 PM)

Originally Posted by dark10x:

Oh really? What's the best source to import from?

I'll be living and working in France and I've been concerned about how I would go about getting new releases.

Welcome to France my friend :D
Depending on the city, you may find import shops.

The Boat · (12-17-2012, 05:43 PM)

Originally Posted by Castor Krieg:

There are so many games that is a non-issue. I have a gaming PC and a PS3, both technically region-free, and I don't have time to play even half of the releases I want. No need for me to support bad business practices.

There are people who put their passion for actual games above things such as business practices. Shocking, I know.

daCuk · (12-17-2012, 05:43 PM)

I am waiting for Datel to create a Freeloader for 3DS

Sora_N · (12-17-2012, 05:46 PM)

Doesn't really mean anything right now, I hope they can hack regions. I was thinking about buying a Japanese 3DXL

Tain · (12-17-2012, 05:47 PM)

Originally Posted by Castor Krieg:

There are so many games that is a non-issue. I have a gaming PC and a PS3, both technically region-free, and I don't have time to play even half of the releases I want. No need for me to support bad business practices.

I'll never play everything I want to, of course, but I also can't play games just to pass time. I'm way too passionate about these things to not play the specific games that I want to.

Foffy · (12-17-2012, 05:54 PM)

Originally Posted by Castor Krieg:

There are so many games that is a non-issue. I have a gaming PC and a PS3, both technically region-free, and I don't have time to play even half of the releases I want. No need for me to support bad business practices.

It also depends on the types of games you as a consumer enjoy most. A ton of people including myself probably really enjoy Nintendo products the most, so you get those really phenomenal games on platforms with stupid fucking things like region locking.

dark10x · (12-17-2012, 06:03 PM)

Originally Posted by GhostTrick:

Welcome to France my friend :D
Depending on the city, you may find import shops.

We'll be near Strasbourg. We're going house hunting the second week of January so it's getting close! Can't wait to get settled!

The Abominable Snowman · (12-17-2012, 06:05 PM)

The main reason I want a 3DS hacked is for the 3D Youtube Clips and 3D homebrew. Someone's gotta keep that feature alive besides Nintendo!

Hero_of_the_Day · (12-17-2012, 06:11 PM)

Originally Posted by acm2000:

it still makes me laugh that most people use "region free" as a cover up for their true intentions

What else would they use it for? You're surely not labeling anyone interested in homebrew a pirate, are you?

BY2K · (12-17-2012, 07:03 PM)

I'm hearing there's a new firmware update for the 3DS.

Preemptive strike on the potential hack?

DavidDayton · (12-17-2012, 08:54 PM)

Originally Posted by BY2K:

I'm hearing there's a new firmware update for the 3DS.

Preemptive strike on the potential hack?

As of when...?

DonMigs85 · (12-18-2012, 06:15 AM)

Did Nintendo actually want to put in region locking or was it pressure from publishers?
Or maybe it was a by-product of having only one eShop store per region?

Castor Krieg · 06:29 AM

Originally Posted by DonMigs85:

Did Nintendo actually want to put in region locking or was it pressure from publishers?
Or maybe it was a by-product of having only one eShop store per region?

Even if it is a pressure from publishers, there is no reliable data to say region locking your games improves their sales in a specific region - importers are by definition not casual gamers. They will import maybe 500-1000 copies at most. This is negligible in the grand scale of things. On the other hand there are examples, Demons Souls being the most notable, where cross-region importation actually raised the visibility of the game and made it released in another region.

Region locking is one of business practices you really cannot justify with a sound argument. Yes, it gives you more control over the product, but that doesn't translate to anything. However for many business executives this is one of the things they have in their pretty flowcharts, even when they don't understand exactly the purpose of it.