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[Elios83]

http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,17178898^15306^^nbv^,00.html


Region coding for PS3 unlikely
Andrew Colley
NOVEMBER 08, 2005
SONY Computer Entertainment is likely to abandon its practice of region coding games for its PlayStation 3 console, the head of its South Pacific operation said.

Sony's current crop of PlayStation and PlayStation 2 consoles contains technology that blocks the use of illegal copied games. It also prevents the use of game and DVD discs that have been region coded for other markets.

However, Sony Computer Entertainment Australia managing director, Michael Ephraim, said the company was unlikely to continue the policy as international television standards emerge.

"If you look at the fact that it will support high-definition TV, which will be a global standard, there's a good likelihood that it will be global region, as for example we've done with the PSP (PlayStation Portable)," Mr Ephraim said.

 

[BlueTsunami]

*thrusts his hips in a non sexual celebritory manor

 

[DCharlie]

i find this hard to believe unless they are going to start charging the same price for games everywhere.

If not, everyone in English speaking Euroland will be picking up US games.

 

[SolidSnakex]

It's one of those things that sounds too good to be true.

 

[Forsete]

IIRC Kutaragi talked about something like this a few years back.. Either it was region coding or licence fees.

Positive news for EU gamers if true. No region coding was the reason I imported a PSP from Canada, so I'll most likely import a PS3 if this is confirmed.

 

[Flo_Evans]

unlikely but would certainly be welcome

.....is this crazy PS3 rumor day and I just missed the memo?

 

[pilonv1]

Probably has something to do with the fact mod chips are legal here.

 

[Ryudo]

Region coding sucks, its just another excuse for shithouse localization delays.

 

[Blackace]

i find this hard to believe unless they are going to start charging the same price for games everywhere.

If not, everyone in English speaking Euroland will be picking up US games.

Yeah... But everything will be spelled wrong!!

Also I think Sony is aiming for worldwide releases for first party projects...

 

[Deg]

It'll be hard getting away from it getting taxed given PS3's value. :lol

Sounds reasonable but i am sure it will be up to the publishers.

 

[Blackace]

Probably has something to do with the fact mod chips are legal here.

Only if the product cannot play games from anywhere

 

[BlueTsunami]

Sony made that unification move (regions) not to long ago. That in itself adds credence to this article.

 

[Ghost]

Xbox doesnt force region coding either, the buck has been passed to the publishers, who have (for xbox at least) chosen to region code nearly every game. Id expect the same of the PS3

 

[SolidSnakex]

unlikely but would certainly be welcome

.....is this crazy PS3 rumor day and I just missed the memo?

It all started a few weeks ago when that (now proven bogus) rumor popped up that the PS3 would only play Blu Rays which wuold mean no BC.

 

[dark10x]

Ohhh, that would be SOOOO sweet...but I highly doubt it will come to pass.

 

[Blackace]

PSP has the same thing as of now..

 

[Jonnyram]

I don't understand the logical steps made by this news article. Television standards will become global, therefore games will not have region encoding!? That's just not going to happen.

 

[SKOPE]

If this is true, and it also applies to PlayStation and PS2 games, I buy a PS3 at launch.

Finally! Wirelessly-controlled Puyo Puyo and Sonic CD with a good directional pad!

Again, if this is true, and it applies to past-generation games.

 

[pilonv1]

I don't understand the logical steps made by this news article. Television standards will become global, therefore games will not have region encoding!? That's just not going to happen.

No need to worry about PAL/50hz conversions anymore. Nintendo has been releasing a lot of 60hz only games recently.

 

[cybamerc]

I don't see why they wouldn't take this logical step. Handhelds don't have region encoding for games and there are no longer any technical arguments for region encoding on console titles. By allowing PS3 to play titles from all over the world they should also have a stronger case against mod chips.

 

[Shompola]

I hope it is alteastr true for PS2 games... then I can import all of those wonderful JPN only shmups I never had the chance to own.

 

[ram]

the psp proves, that region codes doesnt matter anymore and dont hurt sales of games. because mostly only dreaks will get import versions - the mainstream will wait till the companys release localized games.

 

[RevenantKioku]

PSP has the same thing as of now..

I heard things of movies being region locked, but since there's nothing worth watching, I've never tested or checked up on that.
Is that the truth or just some BS I heard?

 

[Blackace]

I heard things of movies being region locked, but since there's nothing worth watching, I've never tested or checked up on that.
Is that the truth or just some BS I heard?

Well that is what the article is saying.. PS3 will have a R.C. movies but not games..

 

[ram]

its true, umd movies still have region codes and i think, this will be with blue ray movies too.

 

[RevenantKioku]

Well that is what the article is saying.. PS3 will have a R.C. movies but not games..

Pschaw, you know I can't read.

 

[psycho_snake]

If this does happen, would that mean that european countries will start selling NTSC games when they launch in NA or will their be separate NTSC and PAL release and just allow people who want to import games play those games without having to install a modchip?

 

[Acosta]

Too good to be true but I would love it.

In fact it is logic, there is no reason to keep the games with a regional protection.

Maybe there is hope after all...

 

[psycho_snake]

I heard things of movies being region locked, but since there's nothing worth watching, I've never tested or checked up on that.
Is that the truth or just some BS I heard?

No its true. there are some movies that you pop into your PS2 and message will come up sdaying that the movie can't be played because of regional coding.

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

If this is true, import price just rose $200 bucks at least

 

[RevenantKioku]

Just thinking about having one unit that will play PS1-3 games of all regions really ups my PS3 desire. Having to switch cables between my Japanese and US PS2s is too much work goddamnit!

 

[Fafalada]

i find this hard to believe unless they are going to start charging the same price for games everywhere.

Well if you won't be able to play used games...

 

[DCharlie]

"Well if you won't be able to play used games.."

that's a good point actually.
Regardless - i highly doubt Sony would do this (the 2nd hand thing - or the lack of region coding)

 

[Rabid Wolverine]

This just might be for australia with all the legal shit sony has gone through.

Then again im not surprised if it get regional coded after all.

 

[Myoclonic Jerk]

That would be great...


release the game in ONE language (English), and let people download the language packs on the HDD... oh wait.. PS3 won't have one

 

[Xellotah]

Awesome - Sony FTW.

 

[anthony]

ahaha, i'll be buying all my game from the states then...

 

[BlueTsunami]

That would be great...


release the game in ONE language (English), and let people download the language packs on the HDD... oh wait.. PS3 won't have one

...

 

[The End]

OH SHIT MY BITCH WHAT

 

[Kleegamefan]

Sounds just like the PSP.....games have no region coding but movies will..

 

[Wollan]

I don't think this will hurt SCEE(or Australia). Like 5% of the userbase will take use of this?

 

[ninge]

I still dont get why they made the PSP region free if they were just gonna sue every importer in europe.. idiots.

 

[DCharlie]

"I still dont get why they made the PSP region free if they were just gonna sue every importer in europe.. idiots."

... because they wanted to buttrape the poor euros out of more cash!

i'd find it hard to believe that they'd go global - simply because all regions aren't equal (tax, expected price of games, expected price of movies, etc etc...)

 

[Shompola]

the most important thing behind region coding is to give the local suppliers/vendors a chance to actually sell something.

 

[Azure Dream]

This type of rumor pops up EVERY time there's a new console on the way. "Will this be the console that's like the portables, with no region coding?" (Although the PSP does have region coding on the movies, but not the games.) Importers always hope for it, publishers probably dread it, but it never seems to pan out.

Still, here's to hoping. I'd love to not have to look into Swap Magic or a mod chip or whatever just so I can play Namco X Capcom or DMC3:SE or NamCollection (the one with Klonoa) on my PS2.

 

[psycho_snake]

... because they wanted to buttrape the poor euros out of more cash!

i'd find it hard to believe that they'd go global - simply because all regions aren't equal (tax, expected price of games, expected price of movies, etc etc...)

Well if they did go ahead with it and keep the price for the games at $49.99 worldwide, it would be great for brits because the games would cost around £30

 

[∀ Narayan]

If this is true. Can I get a "HELLZ YEA"?

 

[gofreak]

Despite the fact that it's a SCE person, it just sounds like his own speculation. I'd take that with a grain of salt for now.

Still, if it happened, I'd almost certainly be angling for Japanese PS3 in Spring Too good to be true, methinks.

 

[sprsk]

no region conding!

 

[mckmas8808]

Despite the fact that it's a SCE person, it just sounds like his own speculation. I'd take that with a grain of salt for now.

Still, if it happened, I'd almost certainly be angling for Japanese PS3 in Spring Too good to be true, methinks.

Well Sony has already done it with the PSP so...

And remember Sony did talk about that unifaction thing a few months back.