A rather simple question, do you support the policy of region locking games on consoles? Why or why not?

For those who are unfamiliar with what region locking is, it is when games distributed for one region, for example Japan, can not be played on a console for another region, for example North America. This has been done on various consoles at various timepoints, and also for DVD/BD movies, but I am specifically talking about games.

Personally, as an avid importer of games from various regions, the simple fact that a console is region free or region locked is usually enough to turn me on to or away from a console now, at least until said console can be hacked to remove the locks (this should be differentiated from hacking to allow piracy, which I am firmly against). Having a region free console means being able to acquire games world wide at the best prices offered, as well as acquiring games that are never released ouside certain regions, or would be released far later. I'm sure there are plenty of fans of Japanese games here who can relate to the latter two problems.

Let's discuss the recent history of region locking by the big three console makers:

Sony started in the dark ages, but has more recently come to see the light. The PS2 was region locked, however the PSP, PS3, and PSVita have all been region free. The PS2 can be hacked for region free. Sony can be said to be the most import friendly maker now since no modification is necessary to play games from any region. I hear Sony does give individual game developers the option to include a software specific region lock, however nobody seems to utilize this.

Nintendo has wavered in their region locking policies. The GameCube was locked, however the DS was not. Nintendo backed down once again however, and the Wii, 3DS, and Wii U are all sadly region locked once again. The GameCube and Wii are hackable to remove the locks, but the 3DS and Wii U are yet to be solved.

Microsoft has always region locked their consoles, although they only have two to speak of, the Xbox and Xbox360. Both are hackable to remove these locks. (If we count games on Windows PCs, however, Microsoft is by far the most lenient on region locking!)

How would you feel about region locking on the PS4 and Xbox720?

Super duper omega no BATMAN!

I understand, but i dont agree with it.

If companies were competent and release games at the same time on all 3 regions, region locking wouldnt be an issue. Its because they don't that it needs to be free. Otherwise it just forces people to hack their hardware to play the games for the system they bought. I find that much worse as it ends up on sales lost all around.

Btw, baldrskies, whats the game in your sig?

I don't support it, but I don't care.

No, and no one should.

No. Never. Any un-regioned locked console is instantly improved in my book, and I commend any company that allows it. Right next to me I have my Vita I imported from America, with the Korean release of DJMAX I imported in the card slot, while living in mainland Europe, and playing it in English. It's magic!

It's the latest Legend of Heroes game from Falcom, coming this year. Sen no Kiseki (roughly Trails of Light/Flash). It's a great RPG series but little known outside Japan...

I had a feeling it was. Thats quite a departure from the previous game we had here. It was 2D sprites if im not mistaken.

I'm interested in it, if it manages to leave Japan like Ys did.

No, I don't. I imagine no JRPG fan would either.

Import games are a big part of my collection, which is a shame because Nintendo has started to region lock even their handhelds now. The Xbox 360 may be region locked like you say, but there are region free games capable of running on any Xbox 360. Mostly SHMUPs that have no chance of finding a publisher in North America.