PS3 to be region free

[l|ammamama]

Slash dot has reported that the ps3 will be region-free for games!

While us lucky USers may not really care considering our blue-ray region codes will be the same as Japan anyways, now those silly Europeans can play their ps3 dating sim ports without fear.

[Carl]

Originally Posted by l|ammamama

Slash dot has reported that the ps3 will be region-free for games!

While us lucky USers may not really care considering our blue-ray region codes will be the same as Japan anyways, now those silly Europeans can play their ps3 dating sim ports without fear.

Yay for no mod-chipping!

[Shii]

No more worrying about whether I can actually play that copy of Tokimeki Memorial!

The only thing I have not read, does it apply only to PS3 games, or will it go back to PSX?

Interesting. I would've thought that Sony would expect importers to buy TWO PS3's to play import games.


But it doesn't apply to DVD's, does it?
I mean, Blu-Ray regions group the US and Japan together, but regular DVD's might still be region locked...

[idofgrahf]

I'm pretty sure that only PS3 games are region free, probably along with its blue ray movies. Good news, no more mod chips for imports, bad news, it still doesn't solve not knowning japanese problem. Maybe sony will encourage that developers add an english option for the games. (not voice but text).

The world needs more Gin'iro translations...

I thought they announced that it was already region free a while ago ...?

[l|ammamama]

Originally Posted by grooen

I thought they announced that it was already region free a while ago ...?

The article sound like it was only just confirmed - "In a QA session following the platform keynote address at GDC 2006 this morning, Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios President Phil Harrison confirmed what was heavily demanded for import gamers all over the world and yet previously thought unthinkable for a major corporation"

Mabye you're thinking about the earlier announement that the US and Japan will share region codes for blu-ray drives?

well this is good to hear. as in region-free, it could mean like with the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS, where the games are not region locked. also this is a smart move by Sony, so that will mean that more people will be willing to buy games rather than pirate them.

Maybe the Fry's Electronics near (okay, an hour away from) my house will stock import PS3 games...

I mean, they have some obscure imports for PSP and DS, ranging from Mah Jongg to Bleach: Heat the Soul 2.

[Spiritsnare]

Originally Posted by adun50

This is a smart move by Sony...

I expect Nintendo to follow suit with the Revolution.

[Vatina]

Wow, great news ^^ I'm still annoyed that I can't play import games on my PS2 -_-

Interesting. I would've thought that Sony would expect importers to buy TWO PS3's to play import games.

I don't think that was ever their intention. Traditionally, territory lockout has been incorporated for the benefit of software publishers. However, Sony seems to have had a change of heart.

[On a related note, Microsoft leaves the decision to the publisher. Most companies continue to implement territory lockout. Nonetheless, region-free X-Box games exist]

so that will mean that more people will be willing to buy games rather than pirate them.

I wouldn't be that optimistic.

Maybe sony will encourage that developers add an english option for the games. (not voice but text).

It's up to the publisher. Some high-profile games already feature Japanese/English text on one disc.

However, I doubt niche games with low international potential would receive this kind of treatment. Localization isn't cheap, and a company is unlikely to spend that kind of money unless significant profit is involved.

[Carl]

The main reason for being region free is probably to reduce the number of mod chippings. As it stands, there's a whole swath of Playstations in the world capable of playing copied and pirated games.