Ah, the favorite hot button issue of the summer; region locking! By now, I'd like to assume that if you're reading this blog, you're probably at least somewhat familiar with what region locking is. You've probably formed your own opinions on it too, which is great. Thanks for not being some uneducated robot who just blindly accepts everything that's ever been said.
In case you are not familiar with the concept of region locking, then allow me to explain it as simply as possible; region locking is a restriction, often coded into a particular device's operating system, that prevents a consumer from one region of the globe from using software that is sold in another region—or, in laymen's terms—American Xbox 360 no play Japanese Xbox 360 Games.
And to be honest? This issue frustrates me so much. See, I absolutely hate region locking. Absolutely hate it. I feel so...restricted by it. I believe that if I'm a consumer and I have invested my money and faith in a company (which is essentially what you are doing whenever you purchase a console or handheld), then I should be able to use my device to the greatest extent that I please. After all, it's my console, right? Yes, the operating system belongs to the developer, but I purchased the physical hardware, making it a consumer owned console.
Let me give you an example. My Nintendo 3DS? I absolutely love it. I take it everywhere with me, have a fairly large library of software, and keep it in great condition. So, you can imagine how excited I was when Beyond The Labyrinth was announced for my favorite handheld device!
Wait, you've never heard of Beyond the Labyrinth? Well, I can't blame you. It's a somewhat-obscure adventure game, only released in Japan for the Nintendo 3DS. From what I've seen of the game, I can safely say that Beyond The Labyrinth is looking to be a pretty hardcore dungeon crawler. With an innovative yet simple battle system, incredible graphics, gorgeous character models,and an intriguing (albeit convoluted) backstory, B.T.L. was one of my most anticipated 3DS games. Unfortunately, it never saw a release in America or any other country, because Konami felt it wouldn't appeal to international audiences very well. And because the Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL are both completely region locked, there is no way an American will play this game, unless he/she somehow owns a Japanese 3DS console.
A shame, isn't it? In this particular instance, the blame falls on Nintendo. Konami probably made a wise business decision by not deciding to localize the game, because, at the time, the 3DS wasn't selling all that well. Beyond the Labyrinth would have cost a ton to localize, and the payoff might not have been worth the effort for them.
But by region locking their console, Nintendo prevented consumers who wanted to try the game anyways from having that opportunity. Konami doesn't have to Americanize every game that they create, but if I want to import a Japanese game to play in America, why shouldn't I be able to?
What I find even more bizarre is that my 3DS will, for some reason, play Japanese Nintendo DS games just fine. So, the Nintendo 3DS locks out digital games and 3DS titles, but is okay with Japanese DS titles? What?
As we move into the next generation of gaming, both Microsoft and Sony have announced that their systems will both be region free when it comes to physical game disks, which is huge. This has caused many people to question Nintendo's decision to remain region-exclusive with it's consoles. Is it the right choice?
While the majority of gamers say it isn't, Nintendo believes that they're doing the right thing. On several instances the have attempted to justify their decision to maintain region locking, but upon further investigation it becomes clear that their arguments don't really hold any ground.
The biggest claim that Nintendo has made that's pro region-locking is that it helps to prevent piracy...but that's not entirely true. See, Nintendo makes very secure systems and software. In fact, all of Nintendo's games are stored on propiertery, internally developed cartridges and disks that are not available to the general public; you can't buy a blank 3DS cartridge at Best Buy like you can with SD cards or CD's. That alone makes pirating Nintendo software near impossible. The Nintendo DS used a common hardware for it's games, which resulted in many illegal games because the cartridge was so easily accessible.
Also, keep in mind that Nintendo can update their systems' firmware architecture whenever they want. They could easily update the operating system to revoke games which don't meet Nintendo's publishing standards, making the whole "issue" of piracy completely irrelevant. Nintendo already blocked the R4 flashcard, which utilized a loophole in the OS that allowed homebred software to be launched, using one of these system updates. I fail to realize what the big deal is here.
Nintendo also argues that it's because of licensing that they can't allow some games to be played internationally, which, again, is irrelevant. Nintendo shouldn't need to worry about franchises appearing in video games; disputes over brands and characters and how they are portrayed are always the concerns of the games' development teams. Does Sony care what music appears in the latest Rock Band? No, because this is an internal issue and is the responsibility of Activision and the record companies to negotiate.
Yes, it makes sense that some games will never be localized due to characters from brands or franchises, because companies can be as selective as they want about which of their properties they choose to introduce to foreign markets. But, again, how does importing their titles affect them? And then there is the argument that some titles just don't do as well in America as they do elsewhere. Fine, don't load up entire shelves at Target with the latest Gundam game, but at least let those who want to play it be able to import it. Nintendo claims that how games are rated internationally also affects region locking....but if the game isn't going to be released at retail anyways, then it doesn't need to go through a ratings board, which, again, means that importing them should be a non-issue...
So, Nintendo's argument against region locking, in my eyes, doesn't hold any ground. But what do you think? Do you think all systems should be region locked, or should consumers be allowed to play whatever they want? Let me know in the comments below!
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The reason you can play japanese ds games on your american 3ds, is that the ds was region-free. Thus, ds games do not have a region code in the game data, so it can play on any system.
See, your argument here is rather uneducated and pretty whiney.
Your biggest flaw is Nintendo's stance. You've pretty much used selective reading to make your argument look better.
Nintendo's major problem with region-free systems is that Nintendo is a massive company. They sell games worldwide. If they don't try to stay organized with what sells where, they'd end up disappointing customers more.
Sure, region-locking sucks. I've been waiting 5-ever for Bravely Default, which is finally being localized. But let's say the 3DS was region-free, and Haru and I and all of the others that really wanted it just imported it. What happens then?
They just went through all of the trouble to localize it, but we've already played it. Sales of the game in the North American region go down because of this, and then Nintendo decides not to localize anymore JRPG's because "they just don't sell."
For example, let's look at text-heavy and RPG games. Those need a lot of translating to be localized, and that costs a lot of money. So, let's say they're bringing a text-heavy Japanese game to America, the UK, and then Europe. They all come out on different dates though. But we're region-free. So, whichever one comes out soonest, all of the English speakers just import from there. That particular region gets the majority of sales, everywhere else sales tank. So from now on, they figure "Oh, this game only sells here, so we'll only release it here." And then you'll have to import it from there all the time anyway.
Region-locking might seem stupid, but it's important when you're as big as Nintendo.
What you SHOULD be voicing your opinion on is what games you want localized.
Look at Bravely Default. The only reason it IS being localized is because the Internet demanded it. Same with Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story, and Pandora's Tower. Instead of crying about region-locking, cry about the games you're not getting. If the demand is there, why would they not send it here?
No, I'm not simply blindly protecting Nintendo. I'm quite annoyed that I had to wait so long for games. But it's a good business decision, so it's understandable.
@journey
01 Aug 2013 19:47
In reply to Waffle King
Well, you do bring an interesting perspective to the table, but let me provide you with an actual example that, with all due respect, proves your theory incorrect.
Maybe you've heard of Osu! Tatake! Ouendan!, and maybe you haven't, but you've almost certainly heard of Elite Beat Agents. The original Japanese release, which came out about a year and a half before NA's version, is one of the most imported titles of all time. At the same time, it also sold many copies in North America, despite the imports. Hell, thousands of fans even clamored for a sequel.
You might be aware that the game's sequel never actually reached American soil... and while you could say that is as a result of poor sales, you'd be wrong. The game sold surprisingly well, but the issue was that the majority of those sales were pirated copies. It had nothing to do with failing to appeal to an audience or the situation you proposed above. The reason a sequel wasn't ever released in North America is because Elite Beat Agents and the Ouendan series are two of the most pirated games in history. Look it up if you don't believe me. Again, this was a flaw that the Nintendo DS constantly struggled with. And it wasn't because the DS was region free; it was because it was popular, easy to fool, and couldn't be updated by Nintendo. With this current generation and all subsequent generations being less and less susceptibleto these hazards, piracy is no longer an issue.
And the facts don't lie. While your theoretical situation is certainly not impossible, and could happen, success stories like that of Elite Beat Agents (which, despite the piracy, eventually inspired the Rhythm Heaven series to be localized), make your point significantly less valid in this generation of gaming.
And just so you know, I wasn't whining at all. I was just voicing my personal opinions(: So let's all try to be friends here, okay? If you don't like what I have to say, then don't read it pal!
@Waffle King
02 Aug 2013 03:27
In reply to journey
Your argument is nonsensical.
>>Nintendo region-locks to fight piracy.
>>Nintendo 3DS can be updated to prevent piracy.
>>Still includes region-lock.
If piracy was the issue, region-locks would be gone by now, wouldn't you say?
You're wrong. It's as simple as that.
And it is my right to tell you that you're wrong. As a fellow games journalist, I must do my best to point out misinformation when it arises.
@journey
03 Aug 2013 06:29
In reply to Waffle King
I was begging the question; Now that piracy isn't an issue, isn't it time for Nintendo to remove region locking? That was the only real reason it was there in the first place. That was the point I was trying to make all along. Sorry if that wasn't exactly clear to you. But everyone else seemed to get it...(:
@Waffle King
03 Aug 2013 14:51
In reply to journey
But that's precisely the problem. Your argument, and your support behind your argument, are wrong.
It's not about piracy. It never was.
Sure, maybe piracy was a reason at some point. Maybe they used it in defense at some point. But it's still not the main issue.
Everything I outlined before was the real issue.
When you're a massive company that distributes games literally all over the world, you need some way to organize your business. Hence what region-locking is about.
It's a smart business move and, for the most part, doesn't bother consumers.
If you really want those Japanese games that aren't localized, rally the internet. It worked for Xenoblade, The Last Story, Pandora's Tower, and Bravely Default, etc.
Don't play stupid. You're taking outdated and/or utter misinformation and twisting it into an argument.
Nintendo and Iwata himself have issued statements on this before, discussing quality control, upholding each country's laws and regulations, and keeping their massive business organized.
Do some research next time.
@journey
04 Aug 2013 06:13
In reply to Waffle King
@Hylianzombie234
@Waffle King
@journey
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