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[mrklaw]

Apart from cost, I'm guessing all three consoles will have some kind of online system available. Combined with the more comprehensive piracy checks on xbox live, and Sonys DNAS system, I'm thinking that it will be really difficult to import a PS3 (for example) and use it for anything other than import, offline PS3 games.

I think I've always imported, but only when I know I can chip to play local games. If I'm limited to Japanese offline only (and Japanese imports get expensive after a while), I'm not sure if I'd do it. Clearly different for Xbox2 which is likely to release US first, but still relevant for European importers.

So what about you? Do you plan to import, or wait for the domestic release? If you don't import anyway, then either don't reply or at least say you aren't an importer.

 

[PC Gaijin]

Probably not. I almost gave up importing this gen, although I did end up importing a couple of Gamecube games (it helped that modding the GC was so easy). Basically, 95% or more of the games I'd be interested in get localized anyway, so importing isn't of much use to me anymore.

 

[dog$]

I plan on it.

I know I'm never going to play any online game, so the whole consideration of getting foreign systems online (a legit concern all the same) really doesn't affect me.

But basically thanks to Backwards Compatibility, a J PS3 purchase is a definite in my future. When is another question.

e: And yeah, as stated above, there is much less reason to import titles in this generation compared to previous ones. Outside of niche arcade and rpg titles, there hasn't been a considerable amount of games which have stayed in Japan. Again, at least compared to previous generations.

 

[mrklaw]

I see your point. Although for me its usually just getting the machine and access to the games before the UK does (usually quite a big lead time). Once the UK is up and running its less of an issue.

 

[Red Dolphin]

I never really thought about the consequences of importing if I wanted to play online..

I live in Australia and have a PAL Xbox and an imported NTSC GameCube. Since the GCN in Australia is the equivalent of Xbox in Japan, the range of games is just shithouse basically ;p Plus the games originally came out months and months in advance and were the same or cheaper to import!
However, I'm finding that online stores in Australia seem to have a better range of games and I can always import games from Europe as well.

 

[Miburou]

I'll time it so that I'm in Japan around the PS3's launch and get one without any crazy markups.

 

[cybamerc]

Depends on the circumstances I guess. I don't think you'll have the same problems with crappy ports the next gen due to the similarities between US and European HDTV formats but European prices will be higher as always.

 

[mrklaw]

I'll time it so that I'm in Japan around the PS3's launch and get one without any crazy markups.

I'm thinking of doing the same! I fancy queueing up all night too - It'll be my gaming pilgrimage. Hopefully there is a web browser for PSP by then - no launch is a real launch without GAF

 

[jiggle]

Until all japanese rpgs/srpgs/quirkygames are guaranteed to be localized, I will never stop importing.

Even then, I'd still do it to play them months in advance.

 

[Marty Chinn]

This whole PSP thing has me questioning if I will or not. I don't import very much like I did with the PS and Saturn, but I just know there will be something I want sooner or later. However, there's just the whole factor of having a new generation hardware system before anyone and being the first to play it. They'll probably launch with at least one game that looks amazing and I'll want it right away. Then again, the whole situation of trying to hunt down a PSP and the skyrocketing prices from importers and none of the importers really coming through just makes me wonder if there is a point to stresssing over it. Then again, I got a PSP today and the thrill of trying to get it was fun =) So I'm not sure if I will or not =)

 

[iapetus]

I'll import from the US. Cheaper, quicker, and you want me to stop why exactly?

Online gaming won't be an issue for me - I don't play much online (if at all, these days). I get my social gaming in the good old way, face to face.

 

[SiegfriedFM]

Almost half of my PS2 games are imports. Sure, most of them are eventually released in Europe too, but I wouldn't have Suikoden 3, Xenosaga, Katamari Damacy, Pop'n Music 10, DDR Extreme (the real one), Guitar Freaks/Drum Mania, Naruto 2, and I would still be waiting for KoF Maximum Impact, Mega Man AC and Capcom Fighting Evolution. Not to mention that I recently got GTA:SA, MKD (just for fun, I knew it would suck) and MAT2 for about half of what they would cost in Europe, including shipping. Until we stop paying $90 for late ports, import will always be necessary.

Next gen, if mod chips are as slow to develop and expensive to fit as in PS2, I'll just buy multiple consoles. Buying JP games through NCSX or US games through DVDboxoffice is still much cheaper than PAL games.

 

[Ironclad]

Until all japanese rpgs/srpgs/quirkygames are guaranteed to be localized, I will never stop importing.

Even then, I'd still do it to play them months in advance.

My thoughts exactly. Vib Ribbon is the best example of this.

 

[Mr_Furious]

PS2 is the only current gen system I import games for on a regular basis and there's no indication that developer support will be any different for the upcoming PS3 so I'll likely import for that as well.

 

[aku:jiki]

Ain't no stopping me. I need my fix of shrooms-influenced wacky inbetween all these games with titles ending in "Ops".