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[Samurai_Heart]

Evidently you've never experienced an Atlus release in Europe...

Persona 3 US: August 14th 2007
Persona 3 EU: February 29th 2008

Persona 3 FES US: April 22nd 2008
Persona 3 FES EU: October 17th 2008

Persona 3 Portable US: July 2010
Persona 3 Portable EU: April 28th 2011

Persona 4 US: December 9th 2008
Persona 4 EU: March 13th 2009

Persona 4 Golden US: October 23rd 2012
Persona 4 Golden EU: ????

Persona 4 Arena US: August 7th 2012
Persona 4 Arena EU: ???? "2012" ????

Catherine US: July 26th 2011
Catherine EU: February 10th 2012

Devil Survivor Overclocked US: 23rd August 2011
Devil Survivor Overclocked EU: ???? "2012" ????

Devil Survivor 2 US: February 28th 2012
Devil Survivor 2 EU: ???? "2012" ????

There's also the principle of it. Sony have said the system is region free, and pretty much everyone has abided by it since it launched. The fact that Atlus have just said "fuck you" to years of precedent could inspire other publishers to do the same, which is not good.

What I'm most concerned about in the immediate future is Persona 4 Golden. If this is just Atlus deciding to be dicks for whatever reason, then I'm worried I'll have to wait 5-10 months just for Ghostlight or *shudder* Zen United to bring it out over here.

I'm hoping P4: Arena is just a special case, and that this isn't a new norm for the company.

Ooo ooo ooo let me add other titles with European delay that Americans wont't understand:
Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon =
JPN = August 24, 2006
NA = August 14, 2007
EUR = February 13, 2009

Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon =
JPN = January 3, 2008
NA = November 18, 2008
EUR = October 8, 2010

Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns =
JPN = July 8, 2010
NA = September 20, 2011
EU = June 29, 2012

See why people like importing, America? XD

 

[androvsky]

Is the only source really the Atlus forum mod? I seem to recall there being... uh, issues, with a certain Atlus forum mod or two a while back. Not sure if it's the same one, but the nick looks familiar.

 

[thekonamicode]

This is just great. I have a Japanese launch 60 gig and exclusively play US PS3 games. Guess I'm getting this on 360!!!

 

[R_thanatos]

Is the only source really the Atlus forum mod? I seem to recall there being... uh, issues, with a certain Atlus forum mod or two a while back. Not sure if it's the same one, but the nick looks familiar.

the problem is that when asked for confirmation that this wasn't a mistake ..he confirmed it ( one day after .so i'd assume he had time to check ) .. i'd love him to be wrong however...

This is just great. I have a Japanese launch 60 gig and exclusively play US PS3 games. Guess I'm getting this on 360!!!

The japanese release has both dual track and written languages ( japan /english )

 

[randomkid]

Is the only source really the Atlus forum mod? I seem to recall there being... uh, issues, with a certain Atlus forum mod or two a while back. Not sure if it's the same one, but the nick looks familiar.

haha that's definitely everyone's favorite forum mod. don't really see any reason for doubt at this point but maybe folks oughtta wait for nich or aram to chime in.

 

[Choc]

Ps3 just became a lot less my primary game system if locking returns

One reason I love ps3

 

[Squire]

One can't possibly make an argument that this isn't a bad thing for consumers, and that it doesn't set a precedent. It is, and it does.

I disagree. I think you think Atlus has far more clout than in actuality. I can't see this setting a precedent because I doubt EA/Activision/Ubisoft/etc care about anything Atlus does and XSEED and NIS (their main competitors) are going to take care not to region-lock given this reaction.

 

[Choc]

Sony should care in a big way because as i said, it will automatically make mod chips and modifications to unlock PS3s in Australia legal again

We have a legal system that is very much on the side of teh consumer with this shit. All DVD players for example must be sold in AU with codes that can make them region free.

By law.

 

[Squire]

Sony should care in a big way because as i said, it will automatically make mod chips and modifications to unlock PS3s in Australia legal again

We have a legal system that is very much on the side of teh consumer with this shit. All DVD players for example must be sold in AU with codes that can make them region free.

By law.

Well, P4A ain't announced for AU and, going by your post, it won't be!

 

[Uthred]

I disagree. I think you think Atlus has far more clout than in actuality. I can't see this setting a precedent because I doubt EA/Activision/Ubisoft/etc care about anything Atlus does and XSEED and NIS (their main competitors) are going to take care not to region-lock given this reaction.

Regardless of your agreement or Atlus' influence the act of doing it sets a precedent. You can disagree that it will have a knock on effect but unless youre using your own special definition it certainly sets a precedent.

 

[inner-G]

Well, P4A ain't announced for AU and, going by your post, it won't be!

I think he means that if there is a foreign game that can't play on an AU system, then that would make the circumvention legal.

 

[BlackJace]

I disapprove of the region locking as well, but I'm disappointed to hear some people have cancelled their preorders.

I have a friend on the dev team who's been saying that they've really given it their all making the game, and that they've had a good time doing it.

It's going to be a great game, but its such a kick in the balls for it to be hampered by this dick move of a business decision.

 

[OneMoreQuestion]

I disapprove of the region locking as well, but I'm disappointed to hear some people have cancelled their preorders.

I have a friend on the dev team who's been saying that they've really given it their all making the game, and that they've had a good time doing it.

It's going to be a great game, but its such a kick in the balls for it to be hampered by this dick move of a business decision.

Well, what's the point of keeping a preorder if you can't play the damn thing?

 

[BlackJace]

Well, what's the point of keeping a preorder if you can't play the damn thing?

Yeah I agree with you, but I'm disappointed that people won't get to play a great game that was worked on by a wonderful group of people.

 

[Squire]

Regardless of your agreement or Atlus' influence the act of doing it sets a precedent. You can disagree that it will have a knock on effect but unless youre using your own special definition it certainly sets a precedent.

I didn't realize you were a staff writer for dictionary.com! My point: It won't catch on and few companies care at all what Atlus does.

 

[R_thanatos]

I disapprove of the region locking as well, but I'm disappointed to hear some people have cancelled their preorders.

I have a friend on the dev team who's been saying that they've really given it their all making the game, and that they've had a good time doing it.

It's going to be a great game, but its such a kick in the balls for it to be hampered by this dick move of a business decision.

sorry about your friend but a game ( as good as it is ) that i can't play because [for this game ] the rules have changed is a game i won't put my money on...
As a fighting enthusiast , as someone who has all persona & blazblue games i will put my money on another game .. if this situation is not solved

I didn't realize you were a staff writer for dictionary.com! My point: It won't catch on and few companies care at all what Atlus does.

it won't catch on ?? Lol . Weren't people saying that about the horse armor too ? Those underestimating "precedents" are always in the wrong .. that' s history here.

 

[BlackJace]

sorry about your friend but a game ( as good as it is ) that i can't play because [for this game ] the rules have changed is a game i won't put my money on...
As a fighting enthusiast , as someone who has all persona & blazblue games i will put my money on another game .. if this situation is not solved

I respect that, everyone upset is perfectly justified. For shame Atlus, for fucking shame.

 

[Squire]

sorry about your friend but a game ( as good as it is ) that i can't play because [for this game ] the rules have changed is a game i won't put my money on...
As a fighting enthusiast , as someone who has all persona & blazblue games i will put my money on another game .. if this situation is not solved



it won't catch on ?? Lol . Weren't people saying that about the horse armor too ? Those underestimating "precedents" are always in the wrong .. that' s history here.

That was Bethesda, this is Atlus. The former makes games that sell millions, the latter aspires to thousands. AGAIN: Atlus has no influence.

 

[Choc]

I think he means that if there is a foreign game that can't play on an AU system, then that would make the circumvention legal.

Correct.

And that should be a big worry for Sony.

 

[Choc]

I disapprove of the region locking as well, but I'm disappointed to hear some people have cancelled their preorders.

I have a friend on the dev team who's been saying that they've really given it their all making the game, and that they've had a good time doing it.

It's going to be a great game, but its such a kick in the balls for it to be hampered by this dick move of a business decision.

Tell your friend region locking hurts the game and they should tell their managers to reconsider

it's only going to cost them sales.

 

[Auskeek]

Do we know whether the lock based on Blu-Ray regions (A, B and C), the old PAL/NTSC-J/NTSC-U, or the DVD regions as labelled on the back of the box?

 

[Coxy]

this better not be true, Atlus had JUST gotten back in my good books due to Gungnir and Growlanser

 

[BlackJace]

Tell your friend region locking hurts the game and they should tell their managers to reconsider

it's only going to cost them sales.

I doubt him and his buddies have any clout on a matter such as this. Hell, his team have just been doing netcode, so I bet this is first time they've heard of this.

 

[Uthred]

I disapprove of the region locking as well, but I'm disappointed to hear some people have cancelled their preorders.

I have a friend on the dev team who's been saying that they've really given it their all making the game, and that they've had a good time doing it.

It's going to be a great game, but its such a kick in the balls for it to be hampered by this dick move of a business decision.

Perhaps you could check with your friend to confirm the region locking thing is true (as all we have at the moment is the word of a forum admin) ?

I didn't realize you were a staff writer for dictionary.com!

Gotta do something to pay those bills

 

[TheChillyAcademic]

this better not be true, Atlus had JUST gotten back in my good books due to Gungnir and Growlanser

When IS growlanser comign out?

 

[BlackJace]

Perhaps you could check with your friend to confirm the region locking thing is true (as all we have at the moment is the word of a forum admin) ?



Gotta do something to pay those bills

I doubt he'd know but yeah I can ask. If he has something about it I'll post.

 

[Deleted member 13876]

Evidently you've never experienced an Atlus release in Europe...

Persona 3 US: August 14th 2007
Persona 3 EU: February 29th 2008

Persona 3 FES US: April 22nd 2008
Persona 3 FES EU: October 17th 2008

Persona 3 Portable US: July 2010
Persona 3 Portable EU: April 28th 2011

Persona 4 US: December 9th 2008
Persona 4 EU: March 13th 2009

Persona 4 Golden US: October 23rd 2012
Persona 4 Golden EU: ????

Persona 4 Arena US: August 7th 2012
Persona 4 Arena EU: ???? "2012" ????

Catherine US: July 26th 2011
Catherine EU: February 10th 2012

Devil Survivor Overclocked US: 23rd August 2011
Devil Survivor Overclocked EU: ???? "2012" ????

Devil Survivor 2 US: February 28th 2012
Devil Survivor 2 EU: ???? "2012" ????

Strange Journey: Never

 

[Caelestis]

What a strange thing to do if it's true, and from Atlus no less. I thought they would know better than to start this.

 

[Aeana]

I disagree. I think you think Atlus has far more clout than in actuality. I can't see this setting a precedent because I doubt EA/Activision/Ubisoft/etc care about anything Atlus does and XSEED and NIS (their main competitors) are going to take care not to region-lock given this reaction.

Atlus having influence or not has absolutely nothing to do with anything. The fact is that if this turns out to be true, there will be a region-locked PS3 game, and other publishers can look to that fact - again, publisher is irrelevant - when making their own decisions. Make no mistake, publishers - particularly those with a multinational presence - want to region lock. It is most certainly in their best interest, and it's why it still happens.

 

[Squire]

Atlus having influence or not has absolutely nothing to do with anything. The fact is that if this turns out to be true, there will be a region-locked PS3 game, and other publishers can look to that fact - again, publisher is irrelevant - when making their own decisions. Make no mistake, publishers - particularly those with a multinational presence - want to region lock. It is most certainly in their best interest, and it's why it still happens.

Half the people in this thread are bent on proving it doesn't, on PS3! If publishers have the option, why not use it now? And why do so after Atlus? (Sorry, the publisher does matter and it's not a point I'll argue over. We'll have to agree to disagree) After all, as you say, it's in their best interest!

 

[LiK]

beginning of the end!

 

[Femmeworth]

That is very disappointing if true.

 

[PepsimanVsJoe]

Despite its immense unpopularity amongst consumers region-locking will never go away.

 

[ranmafan]

I agree with everyone else that this does set a precedent in a very bad way. It takes only one sometimes to change something, and I bet many companies, especially in Japan, wouldn't mind having region locking back on the playstation. For me what I hate about this is now, at least I feel, every title will need to be checked for this while in the past it was pretty much assured this wouldn't be a problem. Now who knows? Hopefully it's a one time only thing but either way it sucks for consumers and I hate it. Especially for someone like me who lives in Japan and buys a lot of western games imported from the states. The ps3 has been a great system for importing thanks to the region free aspect of the system. If that were to disappear, I pretty much see myself cutting myself off from half the games I play because I don't want to have to buy multiple systems again.

 

[evanmisha]

One can't possibly make an argument that this isn't a bad thing for consumers, and that it doesn't set a precedent. It is, and it does.

.

The game itself, it seems.

To people who seem to think Region-locking on PS3 doesn't happen/isn't possible, I just looked at all the PS3 games I currently own (about two dozen). They all have a 1 on the box (they work in ONE REGION. America) except Uncharted 3 which is labeled "ALL".

Region-locking happens. A LOT.

 

[Kagari]

Despite its immense unpopularity amongst consumers region-locking will never go away.

And that is a complete shame.

 

[Psykotik]

The game itself, it seems.

To people who seem to think Region-locking on PS3 doesn't happen/isn't possible, I just looked at all the PS3 games I currently own (about two dozen). They all have a 1 on the box (they work in ONE REGION. America) except Uncharted 3 which is labeled "ALL".

Region-locking happens. A LOT.

lol. i have games from regions 1, 2 and 3 and they all work on both my US and Asian PS3s.

you are so misinformed.

 

[TheExodu5]

I've never heard of a region locked PS3 game. I didn't think it was possible.

 

[Squire]

There's nothing region-locked on PS3. Alright. I got it. POINT TAKEN. It wouldn't kill you people to, like, actually read the thread. It's only four pages long. >_>

 

[LiK]

The game itself, it seems.

To people who seem to think Region-locking on PS3 doesn't happen/isn't possible, I just looked at all the PS3 games I currently own (about two dozen). They all have a 1 on the box (they work in ONE REGION. America) except Uncharted 3 which is labeled "ALL".

Region-locking happens. A LOT.

ROFL, i have games from every region and they all work on my US PS3. you have no clue what you're talking about.

 

[Squire]

ROFL, i have games from every region and they all work on my US PS3. you have no clue what you're talking about.

Okay, now you're just messing with me.

 

[LiK]

Okay, now you're just messing with me.

newp

 

[JaseC]

Sony should care in a big way because as i said, it will automatically make mod chips and modifications to unlock PS3s in Australia legal again

We have a legal system that is very much on the side of teh consumer with this shit. All DVD players for example must be sold in AU with codes that can make them region free.

By law.

Did we ever get a reason as to why this didn't extend to Blu-ray players (or rather, the Blu-ray format)? It's always seemed strange to me that the ruling didn't apply, immediately or otherwise, to DVD's successor.

 

[evanmisha]

There's nothing region-locked on PS3. Alright. I got it. POINT TAKEN. It wouldn't kill you people to, like, actually read the thread. It's only four pages long. >_>

Oh, I read it all. I just couldn't resist pointing out that the person spewing comically misguided FACTs has an avatar featuring Jenny McCarthy. Nothing against you personally.

 

[Squire]

Oh, I read it all. I just couldn't resist pointing out that the person spewing comically misguided FACTs has an avatar featuring Jenny McCarthy. Nothing against you personally.

It's been mocked before. I'm used to it :3

 

[evanmisha]

It's been mocked before. I'm used to it :3

You do have a point, though. If they don't go back on this, the resulting backlash could be enough to stop it from becoming a trend. Hopefully.

The people inconvenienced by this should be raising a stink while there's still a chance for Atlus to change their minds. I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision to make, and I'm sure they anticipated some hate... but it's really the only hope you've got.

 

[Ghost_Protocol]

N/m

 

[toddhunter]

There's nothing region-locked on PS3. Alright. I got it. POINT TAKEN. It wouldn't kill you people to, like, actually read the thread. It's only four pages long. >_>

Actually there is.

Army of Two's online play was region locked. I could only connect to American servers when I imported the game.

Stranglehold was going to be region locked until a backlash.

DLC is of course region locked.

I wouldn't be surprised if this were true in some form. I would be surprised that it isn't really Namco being involved though. Normally they are responsible for back-handing other regions for Atlus.

Did we ever get a reason as to why this didn't extend to Blu-ray players (or rather, the Blu-ray format)? It's always seemed strange to me that the ruling didn't apply, immediately or otherwise, to DVD's successor.

Because there is no such ruling. It is 100% legal to sell region locked things in Australia. You also do not have to provide a method to unlock them. However if people find a way, then you can't do anything about it.

 

[bakedpony]

The game itself, it seems.

To people who seem to think Region-locking on PS3 doesn't happen/isn't possible, I just looked at all the PS3 games I currently own (about two dozen). They all have a 1 on the box (they work in ONE REGION. America) except Uncharted 3 which is labeled "ALL".

Region-locking happens. A LOT.

Just because it has a 1 on the box doesn't mean it's region-locked. It just shows what region the game is released in officiaally. I own a Hong Kong PS3 and I play a lot of games with a Region 1 on the box.

 

[toddhunter]

Just because it has a 1 on the box doesn't mean it's region-locked. It just shows what region the game is released in officiaally. I own a Hong Kong PS3 and I play a lot of games with a Region 1 on the box.

Also important for DLC.