Tag Archives: region-locked

Those hoping to import a boxed retail copy of Eidos’ highly anticipated augmentation salvation will have to think twice. A certain Australian VG247 news editor might be particularly upset by this news.

[Update] A message on the Eidos forum suggests the PC boxed retail copy will no longer be region-locked in the UK and Europe. See below for details.
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In a statement just given to VG247, Nintendo has confirmed that 3DS hardware will come in three region-locked varieties, following rumours that the handheld would be geo-specific.

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Sega Europe’s just no-commented a report that Bayonetta’s going to be a region-locked Japanese release.

The firm just told us on the phone that a statement is likely to be release on the matter near the game’s Japanese launch on October 29.

Translated, this probably means it is going to be locked out on both 360 and PS3.

The Platinum actioner’s releasing early next year in the US and Europe.

DSi has been region-coded to protect the innocent, Nintendo UK boss David Yarnton’s told The Times.

“There are many different age requirements with games around the world,” said Yarnton when asked why Nintendo had blocked games from other regions.

“I’ve been involved with the Industry Body, and we’ve just had the Byron review, so it’s quite topical. As an industry, we are trying to take a responsible stance in that area, to make sure that we have people aware of what content they get, and that there is a certain amount of protection.”

So there you go. It has absolutely nothing to do with grey imports and general sales control. Absolutely not.

DSi hits Europe at the beginning of April.

CVG’s just published a Nintendo statement apparently confirming that DSi software will be region-locked.

“DSi software (software that is only compatible with DSi) is region-locked, eg: European DSi software can only be played on European DSi consoles,” said a rep.

“Nintendo DS software however is region free so you can play any DS software on DSi from any region. You can also browse the Internet on your DSi wherever you are in the world and exchange your photos with friends from around the world.”

The company added by way of explanation: “DSi is region-locked because DSi embeds net communication functionality within itself and we are intending to provide net services specifically tailored for each region.

“Also because we are including parental control functionality for Nintendo DSi and each region has its unique age limit made by different independent.”

This clarifies a statement made by Cammie Dunaway to Wired after the DSi announcement last week that the console “should” be region-free.

“I believe that just as you can currently buy a DS in Japan and use it here in the US, that you should be able to do that with DSi,” said the exec.

More through the first link.

Lordy. According to this PS3F story, Home’s public spaces are to be region-locked. From the piece:

If you want to meet up with your pals from abroad, then you’ll be able to invite them into your apartment, but warping into the game space to bowl or play chess is not possible. This is allegedly to make sure that each region receives an “experience most suited to their tastes” as well as, no doubt, to keep advertisers happy. The last thing they want is Europeans seeing an advert directed at Americans.

More through the link.

SCEA has confirmed that the new PlayStation Store, launching later this month, won’t be region-locked.

A rep told Gaming-Age, that “no changes to the store will be made as part of this revamp relating to region locking”.

Still waiting on an official release date and other details about how the new Store and its related Firmware 2.30 update will be delivered, but it should all happen very soon.