Persona 4 G: Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena (PS3/360/Arc) Announced (2012,ASW/Atlus)

[Yggdrasil]

"Sorry for the delayed confirmation, but yes, the PS3 version game will be region-locked. I certainly can't offer details as to why, but there might be an official response at some point.

To reiterate, our version of the game works for the North and South America regions. Also keep in mind that both the NA and JP versions have both English and Japanese text/voice options, making them nearly identical. I'm unsure of what the case will be for the EU version." -- Source: Atlus U.S.A. Forums

Uh-oh.

[Lard]

Horseshit.

[Maxximum]

So, a remake, a fighting game, an Anime... Atlus has found its golden goose*, their very own FFVII if you will...Milk it baby, milk that sucker for all its worth! THEN MILK IT SOME MORE!!

*Yes, Im aware its supposed to be the "goose that lays the golden eggs" but "golden goose" just sounds better.

[Akanbe-]

Max, index could be, and probably is, more at fault than Atlus.

As for region locking, it does suck for people importing.  I'm kind of wondering if they're trying to prevent Japanese people from buying a fairly cheaper US version since the versions are largely similar and release date isn't too far apart.  You could easily save $20ish bucks even with S&H.  Not sure why else they would do it.

You should check out the shitstorm people are throwing over at Neogaf.  It's just as bad as the ME3 ending shitstorm.  Calling for boycotts, etc.

[Lard]

Deservedly so, imo.

They've confirmed they're region locking it to stop importing to force Japanese consumers to buy the more expensive version.
Fucking sleazy move on Atlus' part.

On top of that, they claim they're delivering features that everyone wants (dual audio) but that's part of why they're region locking it.
What happens when the next game with dual audio comes out?

ADMIN EDIT: Siliconera URL cut due to continuing trojan concerns.

[Eusis]

What happens when the next game with dual audio comes out?

Depends on the game and release date I think, actually. If it's an RPG that comes out months later I doubt they'd bother region locking, it'd probably have to be a sequel to P4A or an updated release to repeat that. Also, it looks like a case where it's more expensive because of the exchange rate, had it stayed the same as a few years back it'd probably be slightly CHEAPER than the NA version.

[Lard]

I'm worried about the larger implication that region locking is going to come back because of exchange rates.

And now that it's happened, we all know it's going to happen again.

[Ashtrot]

Yeah, this is pretty much bullshit, there's no compelling reason to region lock it.

[Starmongoose]

Guess the proof that this won't become a trend will be in the pudding. I mean, there's really no reason for every developer to not use this excuse.

[Akanbe-]

They say it's not a slippery slope, but I'm not so sure.  Yeah, the scope were a company would want to do this might be limited, but still.  What developer doesn't want more profits?

Makes me worry about UNiB a bit.  Probably no reason to worry because the Japanese release will most likely be months in advance to any other releases, but still =\

[Alisha]

im curious why the japaneese version costs more.

[Kevadu]

Games always cost more in Japan.  And the current brutal exchange rate isn't exactly helping.

[Eusis]

Games always cost more in Japan.  And the current brutal exchange rate isn't exactly helping.

We've historically gotten games cheaper than in other major regions too. Only big exceptions are some Eastern European and Asian countries and where it's more about competing with piracy. It's also likely why the exchange rate hits especially hard, if they reliably COULD sell at an MSRP of 70-100 or higher the exchange rate wouldn't be a fatal blow to some localization prospects.

[Akanbe-]

**Warning to anyone interested in playing online (I know a few of you are)**

Xbox360 has been confirmed to play like shit online by Japanese players.  PS3 seems to be fine.  While fighting games netplay often tend not to be patched (or are given a placebo patch ala KoF13), the fact that PS3 plays well probably means it's just a bug and can hopefully be fixed.

Stupid me for pre-ordering at Gamestop.  Gonna have to trek all the way there if I decide to switch to PS3.

edit for clarity.

[Annubis]

disregard, missed the word "online"