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sakipon · Jul 1, 2013

I'm pretty sure it just means the automatical hotspots aren't compatible. Also the Nintendo Video doesn't work out of region.

Cheesemeister · Jul 1, 2013

Zevenberge said:
I just heard a PAL 3DS isn't able to go online in Japan at all. Is that true or just a misinterpretation on my part?

If this is true (and if it is even possible), that is rather sad. Even more reason to want to end region locking.

Really? You'd think there'd be global wi-fi standards. If it's a regulatory issue dealing with waveband allocation, surely that'd be adjustable based on your physical location.

Mr-Joker · Jul 1, 2013

Radec said:
So..

Is Nintendo aware of this petition?

Is Nintendo aware of the petition? Maybe.

Does Nintendo give a crap? Nope.

Will Nintendo actually listen and give up total control? Helll no.

Though I would love to be proven wrong.

Zevenberge · Jul 1, 2013

sakipon said:
I'm pretty sure it just means the automatical hotspots aren't compatible. Also the Nintendo Video doesn't work out of region.

Thanks. That's what I also thought.

Cheesemeister said:
Really? You'd think there'd be global wi-fi standards. If it's a regulatory issue dealing with waveband allocation, surely that'd be adjustable based on your physical location.

I haven't heard of any problems that people had after they've imported a US 3DS. I doubt it is a hardware limitation (like with old cellphones). So, well, I guess it was a false alarm.

gingerbeardman · Jul 1, 2013

Mr-Joker said:
Is Nintendo aware of the petition? Maybe.

Does Nintendo give a crap? Nope.

Will Nintendo actually listen and give up total control? Helll no.

Though I would love to be proven wrong.

You are aware of the other successful Miiverse campaigns, right? This is far from the first.

SNES F-Zero 60Hz in PAL regions
Mother translation in Western regions
Balloon Fight "60Hz" update after the fact

There may even be more.

QuiteWhittle · Jul 1, 2013

Could the region-lock be effectively settled with a software update?

Pie and Beans · Jul 1, 2013

gingerbeardman said:
You are aware of the other successful Miiverse campaigns, right? This is far from the first.

SNES F-Zero 60Hz in PAL regions
Mother translation in Western regions
Balloon Fight "60Hz" update after the fact

There may even be more.

Uploading a different rom to a server and... producing another product to sell you is a bit different to reversing global established standards written deep into two systems firmware. I'm expecting this all to be a bit of a wake-up call to exactly how much of a rats ass Nintendo gives about these voices and put them back into even heading with the other big two.

I'd love to see them fold, but I don't think theres enough of a "whats in it for us?" for Nintendo. They know their fans will never boycott anything.

also · Jul 1, 2013

gingerbeardman said:
You are aware of the other successful Miiverse campaigns, right? This is far from the first.

SNES F-Zero 60Hz in PAL regions
Mother translation in Western regions
Balloon Fight "60Hz" update after the fact

There may even be more.

Balloon Fight is not 60Hz. They just sped up the game, so the music is now higher pitched. Definitely not good enough.

Cheesemeister · Jul 1, 2013

QuiteWhittle said:
Could the region-lock be effectively settled with a software update?

That is the assumption.

I've added this to the top of the OP.

L Thammy · Jul 1, 2013

lynguist · Jul 1, 2013

How come no Nintendo official reacted to this even though this is going on for weeks already?

Do Nintendo officials not have any Twitter accounts? In the case of PS4 No DRM, Sony officials reacted soon over Twitter.

gingerbeardman · Jul 1, 2013

They're like a ninja. They say nothing, and then out of nowhere we get action.

tolkir · Jul 2, 2013

List of 3ds games that, possibly, we won't see because of region locked.
Maybe some games will release, but they aren't confirmed right now.

Released

ONLY JAPAN
03/24/11 - Gundam the 3D Battle
07/07/11 - Class of Heroes 3D
08/04/11 - Nazo Waku Mansion
09/22/11 - Senran Kagura: Portrait of the Girls
10/27/11 - Brave Company
10/27/11 - Mameshiba
11/02/11 - Slime Mori Mori Dragon Quest 3: Daikaizoku to Shippodan
11/03/11 - Azito 3D
12/01/11 - Crayon Shin-Chan Uchuu de Acho Yuujou no Oba-karate
12/15/11 - Inazuma Eleven Go
12/15/11 - Moe Moe Daisensou * Gendaiban 3D
12/15/11 - Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-kun Special
12/15/11 - Penguin no Mondai Saikyou Penguin Densetsu!
12/15/11 - Puyo Puyo!! 20th Anniversary
12/22/11 - SD Gundam G Generation 3D
01/19/12 - Beyond the Labyrinth
01/26/12 - Zoo Keeper 3D
02/14/12 - New Love Plus
03/01/12 - Doraemon: Nobita to Kiseki no Shima
03/08/12 - Girls RPG: Cinderellife
03/08/12 - Hatsune Miku and Future Stars: Project Mirai
03/15/12 - If I Were in a Sealed Room with a Girl, I'd Probably XXX
04/26/12 - Dynasty Warriors VS
05/31/12 - Dragon Quest Monsters Terry's Wonderland 3D
06/14/12 - Gon Paku Paku Paku Paku Adventure
06/28/12 - Culdcept
06/28/12 - Tantei Jinguuji Saburo: Fukushuu no Rinbu
07/05/12 - Little Battler eXperience Baku Boost
07/12/12 - Pocket Soccer League: Calciobit
07/12/12 - Taiko no Tatsujin: Chibi Dragon to Fushigi na Orb
07/12/12 - Time Travelers
08/02/12 - Smile PreCure! Let's Go! Marchen World
08/30/12 - Senran Kagura Burst
09/06/12 - Lost Heroes
09/13/12 - Medabots
09/13/12 - Samurai Chronicles 2nd
10/25/12 - AKB48+Me
11/15/12 - UnchainBlades Exxiv
11/22/12 - E.X. Troopers
11/22/12 - Grandpa Danger Jya
11/29/12 - Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright
12/13/12 - Inazuma Eleven Go 2: Chrono Stone
12/13/12 - Toriko Gourmet Monsters
12/27/12 - Fantasy Life
02/07/13 - Dragon Quest VII
02/21/13 - Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
02/28/13 - Dragon Ball Heroes Ultimate Mission
02/28/13 - Osawari Tantei Nameko Shigeru
03/14/13 - Super Robot Wars UX
03/21/13 - Pretty Rhythm: My * Deco Rainbow Wedding
04/11/13 - Cardfight!! Vanguard: Ride to Victory
04/18/13 - Tomodachi Collection
04/25/13 - Meitantei Conan: Marionette Symphony
06/13/13 - Chousoku Henkei Gyrozetter
06/20/13 - Ninja Jajamaru-kun: Sakura-hime to Karyu no Himitsu
06/20/13 - Sayonara Umihara Kawase
06/27/13 - Digimon World Re

igitize Decode

ONLY KOREA
04/25/13 - MapleStory: The Girls Fate

ONLY AMERICA
11/20/12 - Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?!

AMERICA/JAPAN
01/03/13 - Unchained Blades

Future releases

ONLY JAPAN
07/04/13 - Toriko: Gourmet Battle!
07/11/13 - Youkai Watch
07/18/13 - Danball Senki W Chou Custom
07/25/13 - Beast Saga: Saikyou Gekiotsu Coliseum
07/25/13 - Chibi * Devi! 2: Mahou no Yume Ehon
07/25/13 - Fantasy Life Link!
08/01/13 - Disney Magic Castle: My Happy Life
08/01/13 - DokiDoki! PreCure Narikiri Life!
08/08/13 - Elminage Gothic 3DS Remix
08/08/13 - Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-Kun SP: Rantou Kyousoukyoku
08/08/13 - One Piece: Romance Dawn - Bouken no Yoake
08/08/13 - Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger: Game de Kaburincho!!
08/22/13 - Conception II
09/14/13 - Monster Hunter 4
09/19/13 - Mushi Bugyou
09/26/13 - Fate/Kaleid Liner: Prisma * Illya
10/03/13 - SPEC: Ten
10/17/13 - Exstetra
?? - Danball Senki Wars
?? - Devil Survivor 2: Break Record
?? - Dragon Marked for Death
?? - Gaist Crusher
?? - Jam with the Band
?? - Kaio King of Pirates
?? - Metal Max 4: Moonlight Diva
?? - One Piece: Unlimited World RED
?? - Puzzle & Dragons Z
?? - Retro Game Challenge 3DS
?? - Witchs Hat in the Magical Town

ONLY AMERICA
10/29/13 - Regular Show: Mordecai and Rigby in 8-bit Land
11/12/13 - Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I DON'T KNOW!

ONLY AMERICA/JAPAN
08/03/13 - Hakuoki: Memories of the Shinsengumi
08/13/13 - Rune Factory 4
?? - Etrian Odyssey: Millenium Girl

DaBoss · Jul 2, 2013

There should be a list of 'Only EU/NA'.

Cheesemeister · Jul 2, 2013

YouTuber Scottish DuckTales is giving away his Aqua Blue 3DS to a commenter on this video if Nintendo goes region-free!

Related Miiverse post: https://miiverse.nintendo.net/posts/AYMHAAABAAD4UV52BMqsKQ

Zevenberge · Jul 2, 2013

That's one hell of a list. There are some pretty decent titles on there, too.

Just out of curiosity, are there also PAL/JAP or PAL/US only titles?

Raitaro · Jul 2, 2013

tolkir said:
ONLY JAPAN

06/14/12 - Gon Paku Paku Paku Paku Adventure

Should be Gon Baku Baku Baku Baku Adventure I think.
(<----- And I should know)

Great list otherwise. Apart from Gon, I look forward to the new Slime Quest game, though a localized version would probably be a far more enjoyable option for me.

This reminds me: should we be afraid that a possible reversal on region blocking from Nintendo might actually destroy the already slim chance of some titles getting localized? Why would Nintendo bother with doing that effort if all the fans simply buy the Japanese version? Or is it realistic to think that those fans would buy the localized versions too?

I don't want to spoil the fun of this campaign by defending Nintendo, but it does seem like a legitimate issue if you look at it from Nintendo's viewpoint and the viewpoint of those who can't read Japanese (not that I particularly enjoy being completely at Nintendo's mercy to be able to even buy / play any version of a game mind you.)

CoLaN · Jul 2, 2013

I think Nintendo should tie digital purchases to the account and not to the hardware, before even thinking about removing region locking.

I seriously cant believe that they still havent done it, and its the reason why many people arent buying a wii u.

Cheesemeister · Jul 2, 2013

IT'S OVER 9000!!!

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitio...n-blocking-make-the-3ds-and-wii-u-region-free

Jucksalbe · Jul 2, 2013

What exactly happens when it reaches that 10,000 goal?

SmokyDave · Jul 2, 2013

I figured I'd get involved but I think I fucked it up. I was rushing to get the hell out of Miiverse.

tsumineko · Jul 2, 2013

Jucksalbe said:
What exactly happens when it reaches that 10,000 goal?

Iwata laughs.

Infernal Monkey · Jul 2, 2013

Zevenberge said:
That's one hell of a list. There are some pretty decent titles on there, too.

Just out of curiosity, are there also PAL/JAP or PAL/US only titles?

PAL/JAP

- Farming Simulator 2012 3D
- One Piece: Unlimited Cruise SP
- One Piece: Unlimited Cruise 2 SP
- Around the World with Hello Kitty and Friends

... I think that's about it!

test_account · Jul 2, 2013

I havnt followed this campaign much, but has anyone from Nintendo responded to this?

Princess Viola · Jul 2, 2013

test_account said:
I havnt followed this campaign much, but has anyone from Nintendo responded to this?

I don't think so.

also · Jul 2, 2013

Raitaro said:
Should be Gon Baku Baku Baku Baku Adventure I think.
(<----- And I should know)

Great list otherwise. Apart from Gon, I look forward to the new Slime Quest game, though a localized version would probably be a far more enjoyable option for me.

This reminds me: should we be afraid that a possible reversal on region blocking from Nintendo might actually destroy the already slim chance of some titles getting localized? Why would Nintendo bother with doing that effort if all the fans simply buy the Japanese version? Or is it realistic to think that those fans would buy the localized versions too?

I don't want to spoil the fun of this campaign by defending Nintendo, but it does seem like a legitimate issue if you look at it from Nintendo's viewpoint and the viewpoint of those who can't read Japanese (not that I particularly enjoy being completely at Nintendo's mercy to be able to even buy / play any version of a game mind you.)

Again with this ridiculous notion. Was there ever any tittle that wasn't localized because of import sales? All Nintendo handhelds used to be region free and we also have the PSP and PS3, so there's plenty of data to analyse. Surely, if importing was such a major problem, we would have heard from publishers how region free destroyed their business. Personally, I only know of tittles that were localized/made due to importers (Elite Beat Agents and Rhythm Heaven), so feel free to list some examples.

The thing is, importing is niche, so if region free would significantly reduce your sales, it means your game would BOMB HARD and the game would never be localized in the first place. All region free gaming really does is give us access to tittles outside of our own region and make it easier to game/buy games if you are on vacation/move to another region.

If region free gaming really is such a problem, why aren't all the recent PS3 releases region locked? Why are so many X360 games region free?

Jockel · Jul 2, 2013

Is it a good idea to message big YT gaming channels, pointing to our campaign?
Cause that's what I'm doing and I think that's what everyone should do.

Cheesemeister · Jul 2, 2013

Jockel said:
Is it a good idea to message big YT gaming channels, pointing to our campaign?
Cause that's what I'm doing and I think that's what everyone should do.

That's a very good idea. Let's drum up some support!

Soulhouf · Jul 2, 2013

Raitaro said:
Should be Gon Baku Baku Baku Baku Adventure I think.
(<----- And I should know)

Great list otherwise. Apart from Gon, I look forward to the new Slime Quest game, though a localized version would probably be a far more enjoyable option for me.

This reminds me: should we be afraid that a possible reversal on region blocking from Nintendo might actually destroy the already slim chance of some titles getting localized? Why would Nintendo bother with doing that effort if all the fans simply buy the Japanese version? Or is it realistic to think that those fans would buy the localized versions too?

I don't want to spoil the fun of this campaign by defending Nintendo, but it does seem like a legitimate issue if you look at it from Nintendo's viewpoint and the viewpoint of those who can't read Japanese (not that I particularly enjoy being completely at Nintendo's mercy to be able to even buy / play any version of a game mind you.)

Since 3DS is region locked I purchased a US and JP machines (I live in Europe).
Which means, because of Nintendo's stupid reasoning, I can't buy a single European game.
So, who is the loser in this case?

Cheesemeister · Jul 2, 2013

New media coverage, interviewing me about the campaign! VideoGamer Portugal (Portuguese, Google Translate)

Cheesemeister · Jul 2, 2013

IGN has just posted a story!

DaBoss · Jul 2, 2013

Cheesemeister said:
IGN has just posted a story!

The comments section...................

sixteen-bit · Jul 2, 2013

DaBoss said:
The comments section...................

Scummy corporate apologists gonna scum.

gngf123 · Jul 2, 2013

Cheesemeister said:
IGN has just posted a story!

Jesus christ those comments are terrible, even by IGN standards.

GeekyDad · Jul 2, 2013

DBPlayer · Jul 2, 2013

I think they wanted region-lock not to prevent Westerners from buying Japanese games, but to prevent Europeans from buying NoA games. A lot of titles are released in the US before EU and NoE sales suffer because of it. They may do it if we ask them to just unlock the Japanese games, but I doubt it.

Keyouta · Jul 2, 2013

I wish at least one employee from Nintendo would acknowledge this campaign, as Sony's responded very quickly.

Keyouta · Jul 2, 2013

DBPlayer said:
I think they wanted region-lock not to prevent Westerners from buying Japanese games, but to prevent Europeans from buying NoA games. A lot of titles are released in the US before EU and NoE sales suffer because of it. They may do it if we ask them to just unlock the Japanese games, but I doubt it.

The number of people who would import North American titles are small and I doubt would make a big dent in their sales for X region. If they wanted to prevent this, they should be releasing games at the same time preferably worldwide.

also · Jul 2, 2013

DBPlayer said:
I think they wanted region-lock not to prevent Westerners from buying Japanese games, but to prevent Europeans from buying NoA games. A lot of titles are released in the US before EU and NoE sales suffer because of it. They may do it if we ask them to just unlock the Japanese games, but I doubt it.

NoE has been on a roll lately; Mario & Luigi 4, Pikmin 3, Wonderful 101, Bravely Default... are all releasing in EU first.
And do you have any data about US PS3/PSP/Vita/NDS/GBA/GBC/GB sales suffering due to EU imports?

EmiPrime · Jul 2, 2013

DBPlayer said:
I think they wanted region-lock not to prevent Westerners from buying Japanese games, but to prevent Europeans from buying NoA games. A lot of titles are released in the US before EU and NoE sales suffer because of it.

Nope. We're happy with our Flubit, "So many games", free copies of Monster Hunter 3U, crazy Amazon price matches and cheap supermarket games thank you. Release dates are fine too.

I think I speak for a lot of Euro GAFers when I say that we want region free gaming so that we can import Atlus games from the US (as they have no presence in Europe) and Japan exclusives like Umihara Kawase.

Soulhouf · Jul 2, 2013

DBPlayer said:
I think they wanted region-lock not to prevent Westerners from buying Japanese games, but to prevent Europeans from buying NoA games. A lot of titles are released in the US before EU and NoE sales suffer because of it. They may do it if we ask them to just unlock the Japanese games, but I doubt it.

That's not true. See my previous post:

Soulhouf said:
Since 3DS is region locked I purchased a US and JP machines (I live in Europe).
Which means, because of Nintendo's stupid reasoning, I can't buy a single European game.
So, who is the loser in this case?

Cheesemeister · Jul 2, 2013

The petition is up to 9800 signatures.

A Forbes contributor article has been posted.
Also on Bamfas.

efyu_lemonardo · Jul 2, 2013

Cheesemeister said:
The petition is up to 9800 signatures.

A Forbes contributor article has been posted.

what makes 10,000 an interesting milestone though?
It's certainly not big enough to make any financial claim...

MoogleWizard · Jul 2, 2013

Apart from the fact that Nintendo won't care about this at all, is region-locking a pure software thing? Could they even remove it from their systems now?

Somnid · Jul 2, 2013

DBPlayer said:
I think they wanted region-lock not to prevent Westerners from buying Japanese games, but to prevent Europeans from buying NoA games. A lot of titles are released in the US before EU and NoE sales suffer because of it. They may do it if we ask them to just unlock the Japanese games, but I doubt it.

I don't think it's directly a sales issue like that. Perhaps regions in Europe importing from each other can be problematic as well as within Asia (currency, taxes, cost of living differences) but NA <-> Europe isn't a big deal especially now that Nintendo has stepped up localization such that games are pretty much at parity and often earlier in Europe.

I think it's more of a political type thing, perhaps with censorship issues, cultural content, taxation and what-not. It's fairly clear Nintendo itself is a big believer in globalization especially if Pokemon ships in every language, Nintendo Directs are global events and Street Pass encourages world travel. I think it's one of those where they took the simplification road and just ignored certain problems by locking regions rather than creating a costly comprehensive solution. I think if others are doing it, it leaves more room for them to just get caught in group blame rather than singled-out if something goes awry which is why this is a good time to push for it.

Cheesemeister · Jul 2, 2013

The petition has reached 10,000 signatures!

ExitPlanetDust · Jul 2, 2013

Cheesemeister said:
The petition has reached 10,000 signatures!

Awesome!

Jrs3000 · Jul 2, 2013

How long before a reponse from Nintendo you think? A few places that posted like IGN have said they contacted Nintendo about this.

nckillthegrimace · Jul 2, 2013

Jrs3000 said:
How long before a reponse from Nintendo you think? A few places that posted like IGN have said they contacted Nintendo about this.

Rich from IGN allegedly asked Iwata about region locking, but that was before this whole thing blew up and he has yet to post the interview.

If there's a response to this petition or questions from game writers, I expect it to be as infuriating as the response to operation rainfall.

Of course, if we follow that pattern, Nintendo will capitulate eventually but make it look like they came to that decision by themselves.

Jaded Alyx · Jul 2, 2013

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