Sorry Folks, The New Nintendo 3DS Will Still be Region-Locked
- Thread starter Steven Bogos
- Start date
Then Nintendo get upset when people just use flash carts, I do not agree or support piracy but you easily see why significant numbers of people will opt for it. When the pirates offer a more convenient or superior service (or even a service at all as some games never get released outside Japan) you know something isn't right, I don't know about the 360 but last gen even the PS3 wasn't region locked in general (I have imported games from Canada). Same for the PSV too, I think developers can opt for it and this only applies to retail cartridges and there are some issues with PSN games as those services are regional.
Because he would need a pre-release copy of the game, and there's no incentive for a Japanese developer/the Japanese division of a company to send him one, because he doesn't review for a Japanese site, so his Japanese audience is likely insignificant. Basically, he would need a company to send him a Japanese copy of a game before the game is actually released, but there's no reason for the company to do that.Rocket Girl said:
That's why companies have American and European divisions: to deal with the American and European audiences. It's probably cheaper and more convenient for The Escapist to just get American and PAL review copies from American and European company divisions than it is to try and work with a Japanese division to get a Japanese review copy. Hell, if they did try to work with a Japanese division, it's likely that they'd just get shot down and told to contact the American or European division.Rocket Girl said:
[As a precursor, I'm not a game developer or reviewer, so these are mostly assumptions, but assumptions that I would imagine are more or less correct.] An Escapist reviewer gets his review copies through The Escapist. The Escapist is a non-Japanese gaming site, so it works with the American and/or European divisions of a company. Therefore, Escapist employees get American and/or PAL review copies. If they wanted to get a Japanese review copy, then The Escapist would have to get one from the Japanese division. But the Japanese division probably isn't going to work with The Escapist, because it's a non-Japanese site, so it's the American and/or European division's responsibility. So, because The Escapist likely has to work with the American and/or European divisions, Escapist reviewers are going to get American and/or PAL review copies. Now, why he doesn't just get his own copy of the game? Review copies are typically sent to reviewers early, before the game is released publicly. This is so the reviewer can have a review of the game published before the game is released to (hopefully) generate more hype, and thus more sales. And this can't be done if a copy can't be acquired before the game is publicly released.Rocket Girl said:
Also note that Steven started out with the American 3DS and got the Japanese 3DS for his own, non-work-related convenience.
And if you still don't understand, then how about this: Why would the American/European division of a company get a Japanese copy of a game to send to a reviewer, when they can just say "Too bad, get him an American/PAL 3DS so he can review that version of the game."?
What is not seen is me flipping off Nintendo because they seriously seem determined to be afraid of money at every turn. They make nice decisions and then shoot off their foot right away. Seriously Nintendo, digital region locking I can understand, but physical region locking is just asinine in this day and age. Hell, even Microsoft's console has gone region free now. Some policies are meant to change over time, and this has just cemented my decision against getting a New 3DS unless it has the most amazing game ever exclusive to it, and even then I might not buy it out of principle.
Now to wait for all the people who say how we shouldn't complain about region locking, just because it doesn't affect that person... >.>
Now to wait for all the people who say how we shouldn't complain about region locking, just because it doesn't affect that person... >.>
if it was unlocked, it would have been a day 1 buy for me, simply so i could ask for an import copy of rune factory 4 as a combines bithday and xmas gift (both in the same month)
as it is, i wont shell out for it unless there is a new game i just have to play. i may drag my heels even longer till i can get a 2nd hand one or a sepcial edition one (i was one month too early for the original 3ds+OoT version, so i will wait it out this time)
but then, im not the target audience. i dont trade my old models in, nor my old games. im a hoarder lol
as it is, i wont shell out for it unless there is a new game i just have to play. i may drag my heels even longer till i can get a 2nd hand one or a sepcial edition one (i was one month too early for the original 3ds+OoT version, so i will wait it out this time)
but then, im not the target audience. i dont trade my old models in, nor my old games. im a hoarder lol
No Nintendo, just no. There is no benefit to this policy, it is all detriment. It only helps you out, nobody else is benefiting from this policy. I like your handhelds, and sometimes you do alright by me, but for the most part, you guys just seem to like to shit the bed on situations like this. So no Nintendo, fuck you. Don't screw people over and then tell them why it's important to that they get screwed like that. At least have the fucking balls to say a real reason behind it. This is the Tomodachi Life thing all over again, or the lack of a female character in ACU. It's not the fact that something is or isn't there, it's your response as to why it is or isn't there. That's what pisses me off.
As someone who imports this is a darn shame. Can't make do without having a 3DS as a lot of good stuff is on it, I suppose I'll just have to be content playing some of those games in their ludicrous late EU release dates.
The result of all this is I have spent much more money on the Vita, funny how that happens when I'm put in such a situation.
Vita is region free, though if you want to download those Japanese only exclusives you'll have to make a Japanese account to access the store so some faffing about is needed if you're doing things digitally.
The result of all this is I have spent much more money on the Vita, funny how that happens when I'm put in such a situation.
360 was region locked though there are exceptions as Microsoft didn't enforce it as a definite must (however DLC was always region locked I believe which would be annoying I imagine), PS3 was region free though publishers had the option of region locking their game if they wished...oddly the only game to be region locked was by Atlus of all companies because apparently all versions have the same language support and they knew everyone who cared would import the Japanese version (they'd be no downside except for them I suppose).J Tyran said:
Vita is region free, though if you want to download those Japanese only exclusives you'll have to make a Japanese account to access the store so some faffing about is needed if you're doing things digitally.
Actually the majority of my physical games are from Aussie retailers, jb hifi 2 for $40 is them being competative, thanks to online stores the locals are now forced to compete and give a good price. Not so much with Wii U games for the above reason.ElMinotoro said:
PC is the platform that retailers are losing to in my buying, and a lot of that is because we dont have a local gog, also steam sales lol, which once again retailers are learning to compete with.
That is good to know, I don't have the game anymore (I ended up importing it with my NA 3DS XL). I'm glad they did finally release the patch.The Eupho Guy said:
I was just basing that off my experience at the time, which involved several calls and emails only to be told there were no plans for the patch to appear on the Aussie E-shop.