i changed the heading of the "Benefits" section to "Advantages for Producers." it was absurd and laughable to have "Allows items to be launched at different times in different places, without allowing people to obtain the item 'ahead of time' by purchasing from abroad" and "Allows price differentiation between markets, thus increasing the potential revenue from worldwide sales" listed simply as "BENEFITS". they're obviously the advantages for the producers. if somebody wants to make a section for "Benefits for consumers", go right ahead, if you can possibly think of any. but don't forget this is an encyclopedia, not a jokebook. --which is why i changed the subheading. 128.119.236.133 01:51, 2 January 2006 (UTC)
Also, I would suggest a benefit for producers is "reduced competition from foreign cinema." Paul Coddington ( talk) 06:26, 27 July 2008 (UTC)
Why does Sony want Region Locking for UMD movies anyway? They're the only distributors of UMD media, they have no competition to be feared, games are already region free, why are movies locked.------ 13:55, 13 September 2005 (UTC)darthanakin
This is a classic case of giving only one side of the argument. While I am indeed against regional lockout, the article lacks any mention whatsoever of its motives or advantages.
Is there any legitimate reason for regional lockout? The other day GameCentral (part of British Teletext) claimed in answer to someone's letter, "so that they can direct their country-specific advertising at you at a time of their choosing". But why would they want to do that? And even when they do, I fail to see how putting barriers in the way of import sales can be good business practice. -- Smjg 11:51, 10 Jun 2005 (UTC)
The article says: "In addition, most handheld video game systems, including all Game Boy systems, are made region free because many people travel with their game systems."
I don't think this is exactly the reason. Handheld consoles use their own proprietary video display system, however video game consoles that use TVs are faced with the issue that some countries use 50Hz video systems (most PAL formats, and SECAM) and others use 60Hz systems ( NTSC), so games have to be re-designed/re-programmed to be sold in certain countries. -- Zilog Jones 23:11, 12 Jun 2005 (UTC)
This is one factor as to why regional lockout was created - it took time to convert games for 50Hz regions (as most games originate from 60Hz regions - Japan and the US), and publishers did not want people in 50Hz regions playing games (by importing) before they were officially released in their country. -- Zilog Jones 23:11, 12 Jun 2005 (UTC)
One of the key reasons for DVD regional lockouts is the fact that studios often release films in theatres outside the U.S. at later dates then in the U.S. In some cases, a movie is allready appearing on DVD at the same time it's appearing in theatres overseas. Thus to protect foreign ticket sales then lockout region 1 DVD's overseas. I would also think that regional distibution contracts would also play a part as a regional DVD distributer would not want allot of people buying from outside distributer and cutting it out of it's share. -- Cab88 16:34, 20 Jun 2005 (UTC)
Are we going to expand this article then -- it seems quite short for such a topic, but I don't know if it arrived that way after long arguments?
Does anyone know details of how the EU free-trade laws affected region coding? I heard that region-coded DVDs would be breaking EU law in this regard, but perhaps it was dropped when 'region-free' players became widely-available enough for it not to be an issue
Should this article cover websites which restrict access from certain places, or give different content to different places?
And do we only discuss things which 'lock out' certain locations rather than offering them an alternative? (e.g. if there's a UK version of something and a US version, is it lockout to not offer the UK version in the US?) Is Apple Computer regional lockout-ing me from buying a keyboard with a dollar sign in the right place? Are weather websites regional lockout-ing me from seeing Mexican weather when they detect I live in the UK and show a Glasgow weather forecast?
Ojw 2 July 2005 14:54 (UTC)
I think the term "lockout" only applies if some technical method is used to prevent goods bought in one location from being usable in another, so if for instance Apple computers sold in the UK couldn't be connected to US-style Apple keyboards, and this was an intentional choice to prevent you from doing this, then it would be lockout. Lack of availability, or incidental reasons why it wouldn't work, shouldn't be lockout.
The EU free trade laws only require you to be able to freely buy goods in one EU country from another: as all EU countries are in the same region, I don't believe DVD region coding is considered a restraint on trade. I'm not an expert on EU law, though.
A couple of things that do strike me as odd about this article:
I live in the UK, which is part of Europe, and Nazi material isn't illegal here. I know it is in France, and suspect it might be in Germany, but don't believe the rest of Europe has such laws?
Why would showing a map of England upset the OS? And what has that got to do with distribution contracts in different areas? I suspect the author of that comment misunderstood something, or I don't understand his intentions.
I have added articles about effect on society and economic.
For the other part of the article, I truly believe that the clear advantages for consumers can only be pointed out by consumers, and the clear advantages of region locker's can only be pointed out by region lockers or manufacturers (which do usually not speak the truth on places like this, because they are biased with their NDA's and economic interests).
-- Thedogg 04:31, 7 August 2005 (UTC)
I would suggest that there are negative consequences that are more than consumer inconvenience: region coding is anti-multicultural. It prevents someone, say, originating in China or India, who is living in, say, Australia, from watching Bollywood and Hong Kong cinema unless it has been deemed popular enough to have a local release (and potentially "sanitised" for the local market). By "sanitised", I could point to anime as an example of how foreign cinema is frequently bastardized with bad translations (sometimes made up on the spot rather than translated and overdubbed with stereotypical US-accents in a stereotypical US-cartoon style without regard to the style and content of the original work), reduced production quality (video/sound) in the name of "localisation". Of course, this is probably more ignorant than malicious, but it is still something that has no place in the modern world. I would also note that Australian authorities are primarily concerned about region encoding as a mechanism for creating and enforcing "price-fixing cartels". Paul Coddington ( talk) 06:36, 27 July 2008 (UTC)
IMHO, the DVD region lockout is unique enough that it deserves its own article. It's very difficult, I think, to have a coherent discussion about DVD region lockout when it is mixed in with other things like games. There are a lot of DVD-specific issues like the RPC Phase I and Phase II requirements of the CSS license and the entire relationship between the CSS license and region lockout for DVDs. I think that, ultimately, this will probably give this entire article a lot more coherency if its separated from gaming issues.
-- Code65536 03:19, 12 September 2005 (UTC)
Er...could someone get a source for this claim about import gamers having buyer's remorse? I'm an importer. I'm /glad/ that my games do not contain the localization edits that are rampantly found in translated games. There are also plenty of other reasons for importing besides getting a game before its local release, it seems to me that whoever wrote that paragraph knew very little of import gaming. A large percentage of games that are perfectly enjoyable aren't even released outside of Japan. Occasionally, a die-hard fan of a series that is given local releases will buy both versions to complete their collection. It's also a popular practice among those who study Japanese or speak it fluently (me again). As I hinted at earlier, many importers also do not want games that have been given purposely inaccurate translations or re-dubbed voice acting. -November 14, 2005 (Not a registered user)
Nov22nd -- I agree. I came to this talk page looking to see if anyone else had mentioned it. It doesn't belong in an encyclopedic article.
I understand that the idea of regional lockout comes from wanting to vary prices in different countries (presumably due to different currencies), and so make more income. However, especially with video games, you have the issue of games that are not released in some countries, which are given regional lockouts to prevent people from those sountries from playing them, even though the game isn't available there. This, aside from being horreundously unfair, contradicts the whole purpose of regional lockouts.
It can be argued (quite strongly in fact) that this encourages piracy, especially emulation (which, ironically, the companies that cause this are firmly opposed to). This isn't mentioned in the article so far, and I really think it ought to. --12:58, 28 December 2005 (UTC)
While I agree, I'm not sure how it could be written into an encyclopedic article without coming off biased. Another thing about regional lockout: Determined people will always find ways to circumvent regional lockout (modchips, boot disks, software hacks). Often, these methods of circumvention also allow a user to run unauthorized copies, which could add to negative effects. People aren't going to stop wanting imported games, which are the main reason for these methods to exist. (The "homebrewn" software community also has a legitimate need for these methods, however). Alcy 02:48, 23 February 2006 (UTC)
"this encourages piracy, especially emulation (which, ironically, the companies that cause this are firmly opposed to)" This is nonsensical - high prices encourage theft, but is that something vendors want? PianoSpleen 07:09, 6 January 2007 (UTC)
I have removed the reference to the European Union being one region, as since the acession of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia (which as former USSR states use region 5) there have been two separate regions in the European Union.
technically yes, but it would require a test case before a court, or a directive from the commission. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.27.191.227 ( talk) 03:11, 21 September 2008 (UTC)
Should there be a mention on this page that while the DS will play games from any of the three main computer game regions (EU, US & JP), games from different regions are not compatable with each other for multi player link up? JP Godfrey ( Talk to me) 13:37, 6 June 2006 (UTC)
I say no. I don't think that's quite the same thing. It's not so much locking you out due to region, but because you're using a different version of the software. It's just coincidental that in this case the different versions are from different regions.
I mean, even if you have three people with NA, UK, and JAP DS systems trying to connect and they all are using the UK version DS game, it'll work, despite all three having systems from different regions. To me, that doesn't equal a lockout.
Hi! I'm kind of new here, and I just came across this article. Near the bottom it said that you can cut off the pins that block a PAL or NTSC-J N64 cartridge from being inserted into an American system, you can play it. Well, I did just that. However, when I put my game into the N64 and turn the power on, nothing happens. I cleaned it many times and nothing happened still. I tried other (American) games, and they all worked. Why is this happening? Is it because I have an older TV that doesn't support PAL hookup? Should I move to a different TV? What's happening?
Marikthechao 23:13, 7 November 2006 (UTC) Marikthechao
Marikthechao
23:13, 7 November 2006 (UTC)
Japanese games will run fine on a US system using that method, but PAL ones, nope. I'm not sure about a new TV. If you were getting a scrambled picture, I'd say it might work (assuming you can even find a TV that takes PAL in the US, which I'd guess wouldn't be easy) but if it's completely blank, my assumption is the US N64 just can't output PAL at all. Sorry if it's mostly guesses here, but at least I can confirm that it's not that you did the method wrong, it's just that PAL/NTSC is a lot trickier to fix than a physical cart blocker.
Well, is there any additional equipment that can let me play it?
Marikthechao 20:51, 8 February 2007 (UTC) Marik the Chao
Marikthechao
20:51, 8 February 2007 (UTC)
I seriously think criticism like that on this page needs to be cited, because right now it seems like someone just came on and wrote down why he/she is against region coding. Anyone else in favor of adding the template? - Unknownwarrior33 19:23, 2 December 2006 (UTC)
At what point does a common experience cease to be mere original research, and attain the lofty title of "common knowledge?" How does one cite Five hundred thousand angry posts on Gamefaqs, for example? Shall we cite specific examples of works which exemplify the dissatisfaction? Sirmadness ( talk) 18:57, 14 May 2008 (UTC)
I added the contradict-section template because the article states that the sixth-gen consoles are region-locked, while the tagged section says:
-- VGF11 03:30, 12 December 2006 (UTC)
When Sony says that PlayStation 3 is "region free" it is referring to the regions of PlayStation 3 games only. I learned that the hard way having a Region 2 PS3. -Matt
Perhaps this little piece of dialogue - remembering it's from Sony Australia - is aimed at trying to ensure that the regulatory bodies don't drop from a great height onto him or his company. Remember that here it is illegal to sell region-specific machinery. As such, it might not have to make sense anywhere else . . :) Johno 14:00, 8 January 2007 (UTC)
decided to take out the contradiction template (look above what Phlake said ) and because PS3 (as [1] says) plays any regionPS3 games. Also to the reader what is contradictory is not clear. Dream caster 01:31, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
Hmm, the Australia section is a bit weak because it claims that video games are more expensive in Aus than in USA or UK. In fact the UK already suffers from prices up to double those in the USA. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 213.68.15.100 ( talk) 12:03, 1 February 2008 (UTC)
There are statements in this section without explantion. The reason why these statements are useful to producers would be great.-- 82.69.113.120 00:08, 14 December 2006 (UTC)
I have read rumors of a requirement for NAVSTAR Global Positioning System receivers in players for some format in order to ensure that players exported from their intended region do not function. Can anybody find a source to back this up? -- Damian Yerrick ( ☎) 20:50, 20 December 2006 (UTC)
Someboby has inserted "See DVDExploder.com" and point to that site, within the article
Well before I goto Bic Camera and buy that Japanese PSP or PS3 game, I want to know if its really region free. I read it in all the articles (although the articles reflect back as far as 2004) but if thats the case, then why do all the Japanese PSP and PS3 games have the region 2 symbol and a sign above the barcode which says "FOR JAPAN ONLY"? Keep in mind, as far as the PS3 games are concerned, the regions are still numbers and not letters like Blu-Rays are.
from:
ryanyomomma
This section has got its facts completely wrong.
As a gamer living in the UK I can tell you that every home console retail game is released between £40 and £50, NOT £25 as in the US which this article claims, and this has NEVER been the case EVER in the 20 years I've been playing and purchasing games here even from the day of the Atari 2600 and NES all the way to the current generation of home consoles. I've edited accordingly. A simple trip to Amazon, or GAME's websites to check new games' prices will confirm this for you, even with their online discounts. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 91.111.154.117 ( talk) 17:28, 9 October 2008 (UTC)
The article makes it seem that the PS3 is region locked, while the Xbox 360 has some region free games. This is untrue; it is the ps3 that is region-free (I own a ps3, and imported games from a variety of regions without altering anything on my ps3), and I also own an Xbox 360, which wouldn't play my friend's European game. I will proceed to correct the article.
Darkanius ( talk) 11:05, 31 October 2008 (UTC)
RAM ( talk) 10:12, 7 January 2009 (UTC)
In the absence of better references I support Darkanius and the IP's comments - the information should be removed. The EA lockout appears to be server/software-based rather than hardware based, from the link provided. The second reference provided, a forum post, does not comply with Wikipedia's policies on reliable sources, although that thread acknowledges, in any case, that for all intents and purposes the PS3 is region free. Debate 木 21:15, 9 February 2009 (UTC)
It is stated in the article that PS1 and PS2 are being sold with preinstalled modchips in Hong Kong. What about PS3 and Xbox 360, since there are no means to circumvent regional lockout in these consoles at the moment? 85.249.167.223 ( talk) 11:34, 18 February 2009 (UTC)
I deleted this from the Blu-Ray section: "Like their DVD counterparts, BD players can be imported from another region."
You can import any of the things on this page, so this seems unnecessary.
Older generation consoles. Are they region locked? Because I want to buy Resident Evil 4 on my Norwegian Nintendo GameCube. Like for example, if I buy any Nintendo GameCube game from the British Amazon site, will it work on my Norwegian GC? And I have a Japanese PS3 which Norwegian games work just fine on it, but does anybody know if my Japanese PS3 will play British PS3 games? Thanks TK(film) ( talk) 18:16, 15 April 2009 (UTC)
Yes Nintendo GameCube games are region locked. People use Freeloader and modchips to play foreign Nintendo GameCube games: http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=gamecube+freeloader&btnG=Google+Search&fp=cstJsZcXi7Y ---- Akadewboy ( talk) 01:01, 3 May 2009 (UTC)
I've been searching the internet looking for proof that it's true that BattleZone is really region locked, but I can't find any. Does anyone have proof or know by first-hand experience? It seems really strange that only 1 PSP game on the planet is region locked. --- Akadewboy ( talk) 00:42, 3 May 2009 (UTC)
The sentence where it says that DLCs are region locked is wrong. I have a Japanese PS3 and I downloaded a DLC for my copy of Army of Two and it worked fine. TK(film) ( talk) 19:32, 20 May 2009 (UTC)
I find the following (the first sentence in this article) difficult to understand:
Regional lockout is the programming practice, code, chip, or physical barrier used to prevent the playing of media designed for a device from the country where it is marketed on the version of the same device marketed in another country.
It doesn't make any sense at all. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.45.192.100 ( talk) 20:19, 9 March 2010 (UTC)
I would take steps to ensure region-free playability if I published games. For instance, I would go out of my way to ensure that all of my games are on 3-in-1 media (NTSC/PAL/SECAM). Did anyone mention SECAM here before? The Russian laments, "Было бы здорово, если бы мы могли играть без SECAM игры у нас в России!" T3h 1337 b0y 02:28, 6 August 2010 (UTC)
I'm removing the broken section link notice from the talk page, as the link in question seems to have been removed some time ago. Evil oatmeal ( talk) 20:22, 3 November 2011 (UTC)
The article says: "All PlayStation 3 games except for one are region free.[4][5]", but I see nothing at either of these linked pages that says there is a non-region-free PS3 game, or what it might be. If so, what is it? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.185.161.246 ( talk) 15:42, 11 June 2013 (UTC)
Imagine if everything was region encoded...
* This CD was released in another country. You cannot play it here. * This book was written in another country. You cannot read it here, even if you speak the country's language. * This cat was born in another country. You cannot pet it here. * This toilet paper is encoded for anuses in another country, and cannot be used for wiping in this country. * This shirt was made in another country. It cannot be worn here. * This water was bottled in another country. You cannot drink it here. * This oxygen is encoded for another country, and you cannot breathe it in this country. *dies* * This death is encoded for another country. You cannot die here. *goes to jail* * This jail was built in another country. You cannot go to jail here.
See the problem? 108.66.234.28 ( talk) 18:56, 24 October 2016 (UTC)
I remember for some web-based Japanese games (Kantai Collection springs to mind), a form of region locking was imposed in checking that the player's computer's time zome was set to GMT+9, the time zone most/all of Japan falls under. While there are many regions which can't/don't employ it, are there more examples, and does this belong on the page? 2601:603:4E00:4170:CAD:540B:D723:4DBD ( talk) 00:13, 21 March 2018 (UTC)
The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page has been nominated for speedy deletion:
You can see the reason for deletion at the file description page linked above. — Community Tech bot ( talk) 00:51, 15 May 2019 (UTC)
I don't believe Way of the Samurai 3 on the PlayStation 3 is a region locked title. I have been able to run the PAL release on an NTSC-J PS3 system. But maybe I am missing some information and perhaps there is some configuration for which this game does not run? 106.68.158.126 ( talk) 04:47, 20 June 2019 (UTC)
![]() | This article is rated C-class on Wikipedia's
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i changed the heading of the "Benefits" section to "Advantages for Producers." it was absurd and laughable to have "Allows items to be launched at different times in different places, without allowing people to obtain the item 'ahead of time' by purchasing from abroad" and "Allows price differentiation between markets, thus increasing the potential revenue from worldwide sales" listed simply as "BENEFITS". they're obviously the advantages for the producers. if somebody wants to make a section for "Benefits for consumers", go right ahead, if you can possibly think of any. but don't forget this is an encyclopedia, not a jokebook. --which is why i changed the subheading. 128.119.236.133 01:51, 2 January 2006 (UTC)
Also, I would suggest a benefit for producers is "reduced competition from foreign cinema." Paul Coddington ( talk) 06:26, 27 July 2008 (UTC)
Why does Sony want Region Locking for UMD movies anyway? They're the only distributors of UMD media, they have no competition to be feared, games are already region free, why are movies locked.------ 13:55, 13 September 2005 (UTC)darthanakin
This is a classic case of giving only one side of the argument. While I am indeed against regional lockout, the article lacks any mention whatsoever of its motives or advantages.
Is there any legitimate reason for regional lockout? The other day GameCentral (part of British Teletext) claimed in answer to someone's letter, "so that they can direct their country-specific advertising at you at a time of their choosing". But why would they want to do that? And even when they do, I fail to see how putting barriers in the way of import sales can be good business practice. -- Smjg 11:51, 10 Jun 2005 (UTC)
The article says: "In addition, most handheld video game systems, including all Game Boy systems, are made region free because many people travel with their game systems."
I don't think this is exactly the reason. Handheld consoles use their own proprietary video display system, however video game consoles that use TVs are faced with the issue that some countries use 50Hz video systems (most PAL formats, and SECAM) and others use 60Hz systems ( NTSC), so games have to be re-designed/re-programmed to be sold in certain countries. -- Zilog Jones 23:11, 12 Jun 2005 (UTC)
This is one factor as to why regional lockout was created - it took time to convert games for 50Hz regions (as most games originate from 60Hz regions - Japan and the US), and publishers did not want people in 50Hz regions playing games (by importing) before they were officially released in their country. -- Zilog Jones 23:11, 12 Jun 2005 (UTC)
One of the key reasons for DVD regional lockouts is the fact that studios often release films in theatres outside the U.S. at later dates then in the U.S. In some cases, a movie is allready appearing on DVD at the same time it's appearing in theatres overseas. Thus to protect foreign ticket sales then lockout region 1 DVD's overseas. I would also think that regional distibution contracts would also play a part as a regional DVD distributer would not want allot of people buying from outside distributer and cutting it out of it's share. -- Cab88 16:34, 20 Jun 2005 (UTC)
Are we going to expand this article then -- it seems quite short for such a topic, but I don't know if it arrived that way after long arguments?
Does anyone know details of how the EU free-trade laws affected region coding? I heard that region-coded DVDs would be breaking EU law in this regard, but perhaps it was dropped when 'region-free' players became widely-available enough for it not to be an issue
Should this article cover websites which restrict access from certain places, or give different content to different places?
And do we only discuss things which 'lock out' certain locations rather than offering them an alternative? (e.g. if there's a UK version of something and a US version, is it lockout to not offer the UK version in the US?) Is Apple Computer regional lockout-ing me from buying a keyboard with a dollar sign in the right place? Are weather websites regional lockout-ing me from seeing Mexican weather when they detect I live in the UK and show a Glasgow weather forecast?
Ojw 2 July 2005 14:54 (UTC)
I think the term "lockout" only applies if some technical method is used to prevent goods bought in one location from being usable in another, so if for instance Apple computers sold in the UK couldn't be connected to US-style Apple keyboards, and this was an intentional choice to prevent you from doing this, then it would be lockout. Lack of availability, or incidental reasons why it wouldn't work, shouldn't be lockout.
The EU free trade laws only require you to be able to freely buy goods in one EU country from another: as all EU countries are in the same region, I don't believe DVD region coding is considered a restraint on trade. I'm not an expert on EU law, though.
A couple of things that do strike me as odd about this article:
I live in the UK, which is part of Europe, and Nazi material isn't illegal here. I know it is in France, and suspect it might be in Germany, but don't believe the rest of Europe has such laws?
Why would showing a map of England upset the OS? And what has that got to do with distribution contracts in different areas? I suspect the author of that comment misunderstood something, or I don't understand his intentions.
I have added articles about effect on society and economic.
For the other part of the article, I truly believe that the clear advantages for consumers can only be pointed out by consumers, and the clear advantages of region locker's can only be pointed out by region lockers or manufacturers (which do usually not speak the truth on places like this, because they are biased with their NDA's and economic interests).
-- Thedogg 04:31, 7 August 2005 (UTC)
I would suggest that there are negative consequences that are more than consumer inconvenience: region coding is anti-multicultural. It prevents someone, say, originating in China or India, who is living in, say, Australia, from watching Bollywood and Hong Kong cinema unless it has been deemed popular enough to have a local release (and potentially "sanitised" for the local market). By "sanitised", I could point to anime as an example of how foreign cinema is frequently bastardized with bad translations (sometimes made up on the spot rather than translated and overdubbed with stereotypical US-accents in a stereotypical US-cartoon style without regard to the style and content of the original work), reduced production quality (video/sound) in the name of "localisation". Of course, this is probably more ignorant than malicious, but it is still something that has no place in the modern world. I would also note that Australian authorities are primarily concerned about region encoding as a mechanism for creating and enforcing "price-fixing cartels". Paul Coddington ( talk) 06:36, 27 July 2008 (UTC)
IMHO, the DVD region lockout is unique enough that it deserves its own article. It's very difficult, I think, to have a coherent discussion about DVD region lockout when it is mixed in with other things like games. There are a lot of DVD-specific issues like the RPC Phase I and Phase II requirements of the CSS license and the entire relationship between the CSS license and region lockout for DVDs. I think that, ultimately, this will probably give this entire article a lot more coherency if its separated from gaming issues.
-- Code65536 03:19, 12 September 2005 (UTC)
Er...could someone get a source for this claim about import gamers having buyer's remorse? I'm an importer. I'm /glad/ that my games do not contain the localization edits that are rampantly found in translated games. There are also plenty of other reasons for importing besides getting a game before its local release, it seems to me that whoever wrote that paragraph knew very little of import gaming. A large percentage of games that are perfectly enjoyable aren't even released outside of Japan. Occasionally, a die-hard fan of a series that is given local releases will buy both versions to complete their collection. It's also a popular practice among those who study Japanese or speak it fluently (me again). As I hinted at earlier, many importers also do not want games that have been given purposely inaccurate translations or re-dubbed voice acting. -November 14, 2005 (Not a registered user)
Nov22nd -- I agree. I came to this talk page looking to see if anyone else had mentioned it. It doesn't belong in an encyclopedic article.
I understand that the idea of regional lockout comes from wanting to vary prices in different countries (presumably due to different currencies), and so make more income. However, especially with video games, you have the issue of games that are not released in some countries, which are given regional lockouts to prevent people from those sountries from playing them, even though the game isn't available there. This, aside from being horreundously unfair, contradicts the whole purpose of regional lockouts.
It can be argued (quite strongly in fact) that this encourages piracy, especially emulation (which, ironically, the companies that cause this are firmly opposed to). This isn't mentioned in the article so far, and I really think it ought to. --12:58, 28 December 2005 (UTC)
While I agree, I'm not sure how it could be written into an encyclopedic article without coming off biased. Another thing about regional lockout: Determined people will always find ways to circumvent regional lockout (modchips, boot disks, software hacks). Often, these methods of circumvention also allow a user to run unauthorized copies, which could add to negative effects. People aren't going to stop wanting imported games, which are the main reason for these methods to exist. (The "homebrewn" software community also has a legitimate need for these methods, however). Alcy 02:48, 23 February 2006 (UTC)
"this encourages piracy, especially emulation (which, ironically, the companies that cause this are firmly opposed to)" This is nonsensical - high prices encourage theft, but is that something vendors want? PianoSpleen 07:09, 6 January 2007 (UTC)
I have removed the reference to the European Union being one region, as since the acession of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia (which as former USSR states use region 5) there have been two separate regions in the European Union.
technically yes, but it would require a test case before a court, or a directive from the commission. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.27.191.227 ( talk) 03:11, 21 September 2008 (UTC)
Should there be a mention on this page that while the DS will play games from any of the three main computer game regions (EU, US & JP), games from different regions are not compatable with each other for multi player link up? JP Godfrey ( Talk to me) 13:37, 6 June 2006 (UTC)
I say no. I don't think that's quite the same thing. It's not so much locking you out due to region, but because you're using a different version of the software. It's just coincidental that in this case the different versions are from different regions.
I mean, even if you have three people with NA, UK, and JAP DS systems trying to connect and they all are using the UK version DS game, it'll work, despite all three having systems from different regions. To me, that doesn't equal a lockout.
Hi! I'm kind of new here, and I just came across this article. Near the bottom it said that you can cut off the pins that block a PAL or NTSC-J N64 cartridge from being inserted into an American system, you can play it. Well, I did just that. However, when I put my game into the N64 and turn the power on, nothing happens. I cleaned it many times and nothing happened still. I tried other (American) games, and they all worked. Why is this happening? Is it because I have an older TV that doesn't support PAL hookup? Should I move to a different TV? What's happening?
Marikthechao 23:13, 7 November 2006 (UTC) Marikthechao
Marikthechao
23:13, 7 November 2006 (UTC)
Japanese games will run fine on a US system using that method, but PAL ones, nope. I'm not sure about a new TV. If you were getting a scrambled picture, I'd say it might work (assuming you can even find a TV that takes PAL in the US, which I'd guess wouldn't be easy) but if it's completely blank, my assumption is the US N64 just can't output PAL at all. Sorry if it's mostly guesses here, but at least I can confirm that it's not that you did the method wrong, it's just that PAL/NTSC is a lot trickier to fix than a physical cart blocker.
Well, is there any additional equipment that can let me play it?
Marikthechao 20:51, 8 February 2007 (UTC) Marik the Chao
Marikthechao
20:51, 8 February 2007 (UTC)
I seriously think criticism like that on this page needs to be cited, because right now it seems like someone just came on and wrote down why he/she is against region coding. Anyone else in favor of adding the template? - Unknownwarrior33 19:23, 2 December 2006 (UTC)
At what point does a common experience cease to be mere original research, and attain the lofty title of "common knowledge?" How does one cite Five hundred thousand angry posts on Gamefaqs, for example? Shall we cite specific examples of works which exemplify the dissatisfaction? Sirmadness ( talk) 18:57, 14 May 2008 (UTC)
I added the contradict-section template because the article states that the sixth-gen consoles are region-locked, while the tagged section says:
-- VGF11 03:30, 12 December 2006 (UTC)
When Sony says that PlayStation 3 is "region free" it is referring to the regions of PlayStation 3 games only. I learned that the hard way having a Region 2 PS3. -Matt
Perhaps this little piece of dialogue - remembering it's from Sony Australia - is aimed at trying to ensure that the regulatory bodies don't drop from a great height onto him or his company. Remember that here it is illegal to sell region-specific machinery. As such, it might not have to make sense anywhere else . . :) Johno 14:00, 8 January 2007 (UTC)
decided to take out the contradiction template (look above what Phlake said ) and because PS3 (as [1] says) plays any regionPS3 games. Also to the reader what is contradictory is not clear. Dream caster 01:31, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
Hmm, the Australia section is a bit weak because it claims that video games are more expensive in Aus than in USA or UK. In fact the UK already suffers from prices up to double those in the USA. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 213.68.15.100 ( talk) 12:03, 1 February 2008 (UTC)
There are statements in this section without explantion. The reason why these statements are useful to producers would be great.-- 82.69.113.120 00:08, 14 December 2006 (UTC)
I have read rumors of a requirement for NAVSTAR Global Positioning System receivers in players for some format in order to ensure that players exported from their intended region do not function. Can anybody find a source to back this up? -- Damian Yerrick ( ☎) 20:50, 20 December 2006 (UTC)
Someboby has inserted "See DVDExploder.com" and point to that site, within the article
Well before I goto Bic Camera and buy that Japanese PSP or PS3 game, I want to know if its really region free. I read it in all the articles (although the articles reflect back as far as 2004) but if thats the case, then why do all the Japanese PSP and PS3 games have the region 2 symbol and a sign above the barcode which says "FOR JAPAN ONLY"? Keep in mind, as far as the PS3 games are concerned, the regions are still numbers and not letters like Blu-Rays are.
from:
ryanyomomma
This section has got its facts completely wrong.
As a gamer living in the UK I can tell you that every home console retail game is released between £40 and £50, NOT £25 as in the US which this article claims, and this has NEVER been the case EVER in the 20 years I've been playing and purchasing games here even from the day of the Atari 2600 and NES all the way to the current generation of home consoles. I've edited accordingly. A simple trip to Amazon, or GAME's websites to check new games' prices will confirm this for you, even with their online discounts. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 91.111.154.117 ( talk) 17:28, 9 October 2008 (UTC)
The article makes it seem that the PS3 is region locked, while the Xbox 360 has some region free games. This is untrue; it is the ps3 that is region-free (I own a ps3, and imported games from a variety of regions without altering anything on my ps3), and I also own an Xbox 360, which wouldn't play my friend's European game. I will proceed to correct the article.
Darkanius ( talk) 11:05, 31 October 2008 (UTC)
RAM ( talk) 10:12, 7 January 2009 (UTC)
In the absence of better references I support Darkanius and the IP's comments - the information should be removed. The EA lockout appears to be server/software-based rather than hardware based, from the link provided. The second reference provided, a forum post, does not comply with Wikipedia's policies on reliable sources, although that thread acknowledges, in any case, that for all intents and purposes the PS3 is region free. Debate 木 21:15, 9 February 2009 (UTC)
It is stated in the article that PS1 and PS2 are being sold with preinstalled modchips in Hong Kong. What about PS3 and Xbox 360, since there are no means to circumvent regional lockout in these consoles at the moment? 85.249.167.223 ( talk) 11:34, 18 February 2009 (UTC)
I deleted this from the Blu-Ray section: "Like their DVD counterparts, BD players can be imported from another region."
You can import any of the things on this page, so this seems unnecessary.
Older generation consoles. Are they region locked? Because I want to buy Resident Evil 4 on my Norwegian Nintendo GameCube. Like for example, if I buy any Nintendo GameCube game from the British Amazon site, will it work on my Norwegian GC? And I have a Japanese PS3 which Norwegian games work just fine on it, but does anybody know if my Japanese PS3 will play British PS3 games? Thanks TK(film) ( talk) 18:16, 15 April 2009 (UTC)
Yes Nintendo GameCube games are region locked. People use Freeloader and modchips to play foreign Nintendo GameCube games: http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=gamecube+freeloader&btnG=Google+Search&fp=cstJsZcXi7Y ---- Akadewboy ( talk) 01:01, 3 May 2009 (UTC)
I've been searching the internet looking for proof that it's true that BattleZone is really region locked, but I can't find any. Does anyone have proof or know by first-hand experience? It seems really strange that only 1 PSP game on the planet is region locked. --- Akadewboy ( talk) 00:42, 3 May 2009 (UTC)
The sentence where it says that DLCs are region locked is wrong. I have a Japanese PS3 and I downloaded a DLC for my copy of Army of Two and it worked fine. TK(film) ( talk) 19:32, 20 May 2009 (UTC)
I find the following (the first sentence in this article) difficult to understand:
Regional lockout is the programming practice, code, chip, or physical barrier used to prevent the playing of media designed for a device from the country where it is marketed on the version of the same device marketed in another country.
It doesn't make any sense at all. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.45.192.100 ( talk) 20:19, 9 March 2010 (UTC)
I would take steps to ensure region-free playability if I published games. For instance, I would go out of my way to ensure that all of my games are on 3-in-1 media (NTSC/PAL/SECAM). Did anyone mention SECAM here before? The Russian laments, "Было бы здорово, если бы мы могли играть без SECAM игры у нас в России!" T3h 1337 b0y 02:28, 6 August 2010 (UTC)
I'm removing the broken section link notice from the talk page, as the link in question seems to have been removed some time ago. Evil oatmeal ( talk) 20:22, 3 November 2011 (UTC)
The article says: "All PlayStation 3 games except for one are region free.[4][5]", but I see nothing at either of these linked pages that says there is a non-region-free PS3 game, or what it might be. If so, what is it? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.185.161.246 ( talk) 15:42, 11 June 2013 (UTC)
Imagine if everything was region encoded...
* This CD was released in another country. You cannot play it here. * This book was written in another country. You cannot read it here, even if you speak the country's language. * This cat was born in another country. You cannot pet it here. * This toilet paper is encoded for anuses in another country, and cannot be used for wiping in this country. * This shirt was made in another country. It cannot be worn here. * This water was bottled in another country. You cannot drink it here. * This oxygen is encoded for another country, and you cannot breathe it in this country. *dies* * This death is encoded for another country. You cannot die here. *goes to jail* * This jail was built in another country. You cannot go to jail here.
See the problem? 108.66.234.28 ( talk) 18:56, 24 October 2016 (UTC)
I remember for some web-based Japanese games (Kantai Collection springs to mind), a form of region locking was imposed in checking that the player's computer's time zome was set to GMT+9, the time zone most/all of Japan falls under. While there are many regions which can't/don't employ it, are there more examples, and does this belong on the page? 2601:603:4E00:4170:CAD:540B:D723:4DBD ( talk) 00:13, 21 March 2018 (UTC)
The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page has been nominated for speedy deletion:
You can see the reason for deletion at the file description page linked above. — Community Tech bot ( talk) 00:51, 15 May 2019 (UTC)
I don't believe Way of the Samurai 3 on the PlayStation 3 is a region locked title. I have been able to run the PAL release on an NTSC-J PS3 system. But maybe I am missing some information and perhaps there is some configuration for which this game does not run? 106.68.158.126 ( talk) 04:47, 20 June 2019 (UTC)