Nintendo president says company “must consider” removing region locks

[Celice]

I considered that under controlling regional content Localization, marketing, PR, licensing, trademarking and other intellectual property issues, etc.

 

[the_randomizer]

Price fixing and controlling regional content is the biggest reason I've ever seen for region locking.

Yet the previous consoles being region free weren't really an issue before, like the PS3, PSP, DS, GBA, etc.

 

[Celice]

Yet the previous consoles being region free weren't really an issue before, like the PS3, PSP, DS, GBA, etc.

You need to be charitable. The GameBoy Advance is nearly 15 years old. The current Nintendo, and its international plans, are in a very different state compared to then, just as the GameBoy Advance had a very different approach compared to the original NES ecosystem. Neither should we throw the current Nintendo in with Sony, who also operate independently and differently.

Otherwise we're unreasonable consumer who only ask why we don't get so-and-so feature, instead of actually asking why the system manufacturers and publishers may want region protection.

 

[the_randomizer]

You need to be charitable. The GameBoy Advance is nearly 15 years old. The current Nintendo, and its international plans, are in a very different state compared to then, just as the GameBoy Advance had a very different approach compared to the original NES ecosystem. Neither should we throw the current Nintendo in with Sony, who also operate independently and differently.

Otherwise we're unreasonable consumer who only ask why we don't get so-and-so feature, instead of actually asking why the system manufacturers and publishers may want region protection.

Okay, care to explain the PS3 then, which is still having games made for it? How is that region free? Or the DS? Never mind the GBA, but the fact is the PS3 has no region lock and still sells quite well.

 

[gamefan5]

Okay, care to explain the PS3 then, which is still having games made for it? How is that region free? Or the DS? Never mind the GBA, but the fact is the PS3 has no region lock and still sells quite well.

Consoles sales are not the point.
Licensing issues and fees, and price regulations are the biggest reasons for region locking as of today.
For nintendo, it's that and something more: Equal distribution of profits between its branches.
Basically, nintendo is STILL using region locking because its outdated business infrastructure depends on it.

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

Man, Nintendo is just on a roll recently. Now lets hope they actually aren't just "considering" it, but they actually do so. Nintendo's incompetency is getting pretty old these days, they really need to step it up and stop fucking around like it's 1990.

Blah blah blah proper account system blah blah somewhat competent in my book blah blah.

 

[trumpet-205]

Consoles sales are not the point.
Licensing issues and fees, and price regulations are the biggest reasons for region locking as of today.
For nintendo, it's that and something more: Equal distribution of profits between its branches.
Basically, nintendo is STILL using region locking because its outdated business infrastructure depends on it.

Except that when Iwata took over Nintendo he consolidated nearly all of Nintendo's operation to NoJ.

NoA, NoE, NoAU, etc pretty much reduced to the role of PR and distribution.

 

[mario5555]

Persona 4 Arena, the only retail PS3 game with region lock, has it because Atlus was concerned that with,

* English version having Japanese text + voice as an option
* Release date only a week apart

would open the flood gate of reverse importation. To be honest, reverse importation can be mitigated by spreading the release date apart and removing Japanese text (language barrier).

In the end if wasn't reverse importing they should have worried about hurting sales, if you remember correctly that led to a lot of bad press, fan backlash and boycotting of that game. Which is why the sequel was released with no region lock what-so-ever. Plus it helps that Sega now owns Atlus too.

 

[gamefan5]

Except that when Iwata took over Nintendo he consolidated nearly all of Nintendo's operation to NoJ.

NoA, NoE, NoAU, etc pretty much reduced to the role of PR and distribution.

I have never heard of that. Source?
Last time I checked, each divisions still handles the sales of their own regions.
If it was no longer the case. It wouldn't make any sense to keep region locking for sales and licensing issues.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_divisions_of_Nintendo

 

[ov3rkill]

Nintendo DS wasn't region locked. They should learn from it. It has a ton of games. I still believe that in the end, it's the consumers choice whether they want to import games or not. Having two consoles of different regions just beat the purpose of portability plus it'll be redundant it just doesn't make sense.

 

[WiiCube_2013]

If region locking didn't exist there'd be a lot of people who'd buy the American 3DS version of games they want because they weren't released in Europe, such as Shin Megami Tensei IV which now is on eShop but no actual physical release for the fans.

Come on Nintendo get rid of region locking and improve your crappy online services (don't jump straight to pre-loading games all of the sudden).

 

[the_randomizer]

Consoles sales are not the point.
Licensing issues and fees, and price regulations are the biggest reasons for region locking as of today.
For nintendo, it's that and something more: Equal distribution of profits between its branches.
Basically, nintendo is STILL using region locking because its outdated business infrastructure depends on it.

It's still a bullshit business practice that needs eradication.

 

[KingVamp]

That said, Iwata is the very definition of hypocrite. Back in GCN-era he criticized online services, citing that kids have no access to a credit card and no one wants them. He says one thing then changes later on.

I'm going to complain about him changing his mind and I'm also going to complain when he doesn't change his mind.

Iwata: What do you want directly from me?


There are games that I would buy from Europe, at least, that haven't made it here.

 

[Celice]

Except that when Iwata took over Nintendo he consolidated nearly all of Nintendo's operation to NoJ.

NoA, NoE, NoAU, etc pretty much reduced to the role of PR and distribution.

Essentially, each branch is responsible for, in their designated regions: localization, marketing, PR, licensing, trademarking and other intellectual property issues, customer support, fiscal reporting, regional transactions, legal handlings, R&D both internal and public, etc.

 

[Bladexdsl]

as long as Nintendo keeps these archaic region codes they will continue to fail. it's not 1980 anymore you can't just do whatever the fuck you want!

 

[Vipera]

Can't you see what's happening? In 2010 Nintendo states that they would have pushed games for worldwide location. If the region lock is gone, there's no reason foe them to localize great games that aren't going to sell I a million years (Xenoblade).
Not that I care, as I go DD only. You guys are on your own.

 

[WiiCube_2013]

Can't you see what's happening? In 2010 Nintendo states that they would have pushed games for worldwide location. If the region lock is gone, there's no reason foe them to localize great games that aren't going to sell I a million years (Xenoblade).
Not that I care, as I go DD only. You guys are on your own.

Batman voice: So this is where we part ways, Viper. Farewell.

P.S.: Sorry mods but couldn't resist.

 

[SSG Vegeta]

Its about time region lock disappeared if this turns out to be true I'll by my New Nintendo 3DS XL early he he he

 

[SamAsh07]

Not really bothered with it, though it is sometimes frustrating to see a certain game I want to buy is only available in PAL while my 3DS is NTSC.