kasumi1970 said:
the only time i cared about a game being region-locked is the Arcana Heart 3 for the Xbox 360 in the USA. the 360 owner got screwed from aksys by them putting it only on the PS3 in the USA . Than Zen united put region-locked on Arcana Heart 3 So the USA 360 players were screwed again. if Persona 4 Arena was not coming to the PS3 in the USA or EU I would understand being upset but it is coming to both USA and EU.

Would not have been a problem, since JP version had Eng Dub, so just import it (presuming Region lock haven't been there)

It's not the Ultimate Excuse, but ATLUS has given their reasons for this, but does the Internet care? no, your all to busy playing Chicken Little and acting like the Sky is Falling just because of one little thing. Region Locking can be annoying I guess, but it's still not something new. I've said it before but if companies were REALLY going to all suddenly start doing this (and why would they, just because one company is doing this for one game?) they would have done so years ago and not at the tail end of the PS3's Lifepsan. I just LOVE how logic doesn't seem to matter, jumping to conclusions over first world problems is faaar more important.

Mr. Stewart said:
You do realize that your first post made you come off as completely ignorant to the topic at hand, along with insulting anybody that is against region-locking?

Sure, I am against region-locking on the whole, but I know the subject in depth in its entirety and I do not believe that I have to like region-locking just because it is there. I bought the PS3 so I would not have to deal with the hubbub of having to worry about importing another console because it is region free.

I'll say it again, it is unfortunate that Persona 4: Arena is region locked, what we are worried about is the results that this may bring. A water drop may become a wave.

Yes, I did have my share of fun in my last post, but I highly doubt that this old man is a child. My point still stands, your reading comprehension is lacking. Hurling curses like a sailor and throwing a temper tantrum definitely does not become you.

The point in this topic is that we are worried about the future of import gaming, not so much just this game. This may set the precedent for future releases.

Calm down. I do NOT respect anybody who comes into the topic half cocked that has NO idea on the subject matter at hand and that throws insults on top of it.

Really, I am self entitled? How? My posts have been completely neutral (minus my lovely poem to ValkyriaXEdge) and that this has been a DISCUSSION, we are supposed to be open to healthy debate. I stated my side and gave the facts and my ideas, so you turn around and lambast me for it?

Am I totally missing something here?

Please re-re-read my topic again, Sony likes to take away features on the PS3, while it would be improbable, it is still possible.

I am not opposed to being challenged or proven wrong, but Jesus Christ people, don't just insult me for my argument! (obviously the people that are not part of this merry insult fest, please disregard this)

Finally, if anybody has anything else intelligent to add, please quote the person you are replying or referring to.

Given how I was following the Aksys forums for a couple years before joining, I knew what to expect, but jeez.

Prove me wrong (or right) with facts, people, insulting me and calling me self entitled sure does not look good on you guys.

Matty and Neco, you are doing me proud. I appreciate the well thought out ideas and arguments you guys are posting. Thank you.

Maybe you wanna read my post again then I didn't insult everyone who doesn't support region locking games I called the ones who want to come out of the blue saying they don't yet they can buy 3ds games and own a 360 (which DO region lock games)I didn't come in not knowing what I'm talking about since I clearly do. I'm sorry I'm not jumping on the doom and gloom train like most people i seen are...Oh wait I'm NOT. Sony has always given the choice sure atlus for some silly reason decided to go alone with it. This is the same thing when EA/Ubi started online passes and everyone went all doom and gloom thing everyone would follow suit. Did everyone do it? No its a scarey thought sure that this could turn into a trend and we go back into the ps2 era one would say of where everything was locked and had long releases but everyone needs to chill and keep a level head about it.

Tho keep it up trying to say my reading comprehension is lacking or I lack any smarts it really makes you look cute and shows how mature you are.

ValkyriaXEdge said:
Sine you want to play that intelligence bullsh** and insult me you can kindly go F*** yourself ok if you want to be a child I can be one aswell. Come back to me when you don't come off as a prick ok.

You do realize that your first post made you come off as completely ignorant to the topic at hand, along with insulting anybody that is against region-locking?

Sure, I am against region-locking on the whole, but I know the subject in depth in its entirety and I do not believe that I have to like region-locking just because it is there. I bought the PS3 so I would not have to deal with the hubbub of having to worry about importing another console because it is region free.

I'll say it again, it is unfortunate that Persona 4: Arena is region locked, what we are worried about is the results that this may bring. A water drop may become a wave.

Yes, I did have my share of fun in my last post, but I highly doubt that this old man is a child. My point still stands, your reading comprehension is lacking. Hurling curses like a sailor and throwing a temper tantrum definitely does not become you.

The point in this topic is that we are worried about the future of import gaming, not so much just this game. This may set the precedent for future releases.

Calm down. I do NOT respect anybody who comes into the topic half cocked that has NO idea on the subject matter at hand and that throws insults on top of it.

Endless_.Hacker said:
P4 Arena is getting a near simultaneous world wide release though, and the English Version also has Japanese Audio. I can easily see why ATLUS Japan would want to Region Lock the game since even brand new, the English version will be cheaper then the Japanese release.

Also "Long Term"? don't give me that BS, the PS3 has been out for years and is at the tail end of it's life cycle, if there was going to be some mass Region Locking it would have happened years ago. Companies have had the option to Region Lock their games from the beginning, don't act all shocked and appalled because a company finally decided to use it. WAH WAH IMPORTING GAMES WAH WAH! God such First World problems, gamers today make me ****ing sick with all their self entitlement.

Really, I am self entitled? How? My posts have been completely neutral (minus my lovely poem to ValkyriaXEdge) and that this has been a DISCUSSION, we are supposed to be open to healthy debate. I stated my side and gave the facts and my ideas, so you turn around and lambast me for it?

Am I totally missing something here?

Please re-re-read my post again, Sony likes to take away features on the PS3, while it would be improbable, it is entirely still possible.

I have never spoke out against the region-locking of Persona 4: Arena except for being 'unfortunate.' I understand the reason behind it.

Please, do not call my argument BS. You are trying to challenge my argument and then you turn around and call me entitled. That is known as 'irony,' you are trying to prove one thing (your point) but pretty much retcon it by accomplishing the opposite of your intention by calling the other side 'entitled.'

So just because you do not agree with me, I am 'entitled?' I am not entitled to anything other than what I pay for and my opinion.

I am not opposed to being challenged or proven wrong, but Jesus Christ people, don't just insult me for my argument! (obviously the people that are not part of this merry insult fest, please disregard this)

Finally, if anybody has anything else intelligent to add, please quote the person you are replying or referring to.

Given how I was following the Aksys forums for a couple years before joining, I knew what to expect, but jeez.

Prove me wrong (or right) with facts, people, insulting me and calling me self entitled sure does not look good on you guys.

Matty and Neco, you are doing me proud. I appreciate the well thought out ideas and arguments you guys are posting. Thank you.

Endless_.Hacker said:
P4 Arena is getting a near simultaneous world wide release though, and the English Version also has Japanese Audio. I can easily see why ATLUS Japan would want to Region Lock the game since even brand new, the English version will be cheaper then the Japanese release.

Also "Long Term"? don't give me that BS, the PS3 has been out for years and is at the tail end of it's life cycle, if there was going to be some mass Region Locking it would have happened years ago. Companies have had the option to Region Lock their games from the beginning, don't act all shocked and appalled because a company finally decided to use it. WAH WAH IMPORTING GAMES WAH WAH! God such First World problems, gamers today make me ****ing sick with all their self entitlement.

Chillax, bro :D

You see the weight of concern here, though. Europe's issue aside, locking something that has been accessible for so long; you may see it as noting notable, but the fact they pushed to move in this direction is enough to set a motion here. The press release says it's an isolated case, yet, they say they have no control over this = ???

It's just unsettling to me that Atlus would enforce this. Yeah, it's a good "business move" - what incentive to capitalize isn't? Just stepping aside because it's Atlus over a matter that greatly denies access for consumers to use a product they bought legally with their own money. That's not entitlement. Importers who always go out of their way to support the game they want are always the first (sometimes only) ones that get ignored and punished in acts like what Atlus just pulled. THAT is the slippery-slope.
Ever since I was made aware of region-locks I've always thought it was such an unfortunate thing that companies would not want games to be played. You may make an exception here, but I won't - There's nothing in my eyes that makes region-locking become an issue be taken lightly. The same way you're not surprised Atlus made this move to make a profit is just as unsurprising to me that fans who are familiar with this issue have reacted so negatively to it.
You say this isn't a long-term issue, but think; why is Atlus making this an issue now? All this shows is that Atlus Index doesn't trust their customers, which is too bad.

@Neko: That's the gist of it. Part of it, at least.

People almost always ask for more in games; Dual-voice overs, more content, etc.
So what if in order to satisfy the wants of the consumers, they take the effort to do so, only at the cost of making the game region-locked. And even after that, the company still can't satisfy the wants, as the consumers still want more. I really must give credit to the video game companies. They really have to put a lot of factors into consideration.

So many "What ifs" can come from any situation, and this one is no different. For some, this is a small problem, and when you think about it, it's just a small problem. For others, this is a small thing that can turn into a larger problem in the future. Since companies always had the option to make a game region locked or region free on the PS3, I must ask; What if companies decided to use the region lock system on the PS3 from the beginning? Would you views change from what they are now?

Also "Long Term"? don't give me that BS, the PS3 has been out for years and is at the tail end of it's life cycle, if there was going to be some mass Region Locking it would have happened years ago. Companies have had the option to Region Lock their games from the beginning, don't act all shocked and appalled because a company finally decided to use it. WAH WAH IMPORTING GAMES WAH WAH! God such First World problems, gamers today make me ****ing sick with all their self entitlement.

matty said:
There was no real option for 360. The best we got was when we asked Cave to keep making their games region-free when they didn't have an official U.S. branch.
I bought a Japanese 360, but I don't believe this is a reasonable choice for most people.

As for 3DS, I would I have bought one already along with three imported games. I bought a Japanese DSi to play one game because it was not playable on a U.S. DSi. Not doing that again any time soon.

I'm curious, though, ValkyriaXEdge, what do you have against games being playable across all regions? Or are you upset about something else entirely?

I'm upset slightly its a BS move on atlus Japan sure and it will hurt them in the long run.Sony has always given the choice in if a game gets locked or not no one has done so since the beginning just because atlus doesn't doesn't mean everyone is going to follow suit. Everyone loves to go the doom and gloom route as soon as something happens this comes off as a bad move of trying to control the market and could have done alot better then just locking the game IMO. Also I have nothing agaisnt playing across the region but i do hate it when people want to dumb on a hate train like i don't support x thing happening when in a way you are. Region locking is indeed a dumb thing I still don't understand why its still in use to this day when in the end they are still making money and I fail to see why a small group of Japanese players is the reason for all this.

Mr. Stewart said:
Thank you for completely missing my point, even though I explained that topic in the post above yours, while insulting me on top of it. It really shows that you are a highly intelligent and caring individual.

To compliment your fantastic reading comprehension, I will re-post what I had previously posted that you just oh so happened to miss.

Given your extremely high intelligence, please allow me to rephrase my entire point so your inept mind can comprehend:

Even though we explained many times
and yet you failed to understand.
In many posts, we have once said:
'We are worried about the future of an import game
that this event may be the gasoline to a flame'
To which you did not understand.
'No! we are not necessarily worried about this game
sucky as though the situation may be.'
Missing the point, you still replied;
'You are a fool, for I do not agree with you,
nor will I read, nor shall I read, nor can I read.'
So I wrote you this poem
of my own design.
To help you understand my thorough debate,
which is oh so divine.
Please read my posts again
if I may so inquire.
For if you do not
the consequences will be quite dire.
The fact of the matter is
you are quite screwed in life
if this is the level of your reading comprehension
and as such, I will no longer bother.

Sine you want to play that intelligence bullsh** and insult me you can kindly go F*** yourself ok if you want to be a child I can be one aswell. Come back to me when you don't come off as a prick ok.

ValkyriaXEdge said:
MS and Nintendo have been doing it for years...not a problem but one game gets locked on ps3 its a problem I hope the people that are saying they don't support locking games aren't buying 360 games let alone the 3ds because you will look like a fool.

Hey cool, I purposely didn't buy a 360 or 3DS for that exact reason, thanks for trying to "trap" me with some hypocrisy I never took part in.

ValkyriaXEdge said:
MS and Nintendo have been doing it for years...not a problem but one game gets locked on ps3 its a problem I hope the people that are saying they don't support locking games aren't buying 360 games let alone the 3ds because you will look like a fool.

Thank you for completely missing my point, even though I explained that topic in the post above yours, while insulting me on top of it. It really shows that you are a highly intelligent and caring individual.

To compliment your fantastic reading comprehension, I will re-post what I had previously posted that you just oh so happened to miss.

Mr. Stewart said:
With the Xbox 360, you expect a game to be region locked in most cases. With the PS3, you would not, as it was considered unthinkable that they would ever region-lock a game in the first place, hence the uproar.

Given your extremely high intelligence, please allow me to rephrase my entire point so your inept mind can comprehend:

Even though we explained many times
and yet you failed to understand.
In many posts, we have once said:
'We are worried about the future of an import game
that this event may be the gasoline to a flame'
To which you did not understand.
'No! we are not necessarily worried about this game
sucky as though the situation may be.'
Missing the point, you still replied;
'You are a fool, for I do not agree with you,
nor will I read, nor shall I read, nor can I read.'
So I wrote you this poem
of my own design.
To help you understand my thorough debate,
which is oh so divine.
Please read my posts again
if I may so inquire.
For if you do not
the consequences will be quite dire.
The fact of the matter is
you are quite screwed in life
if this is the level of your reading comprehension
and as such, I will no longer bother.

ValkyriaXEdge said:
MS and Nintendo have been doing it for years...not a problem but one game gets locked on ps3 its a problem I hope the people that are saying they don't support locking games aren't buying 360 games let alone the 3ds because you will look like a fool.

There was no real option for 360. The best we got was when we asked Cave to keep making their games region-free when they didn't have an official U.S. branch.
I bought a Japanese 360, but I don't believe this is a reasonable choice for most people.

As for 3DS, I would I have bought one already along with three imported games. I bought a Japanese DSi to play one game because it was not playable on a U.S. DSi. Not doing that again any time soon.

I'm curious, though, ValkyriaXEdge, what do you have against games being playable across all regions? Or are you upset about something else entirely?

Endless_.Hacker said:
I really don't see the issue, I mean the PS3 has been out for a long time, if companies were going to try and do some kind of mass region locking then they would have done so a long time ago. So what if ATLUS wants to region lock their own game? it's their game and they have every right to do with it what they want. People love to take stupid -your mother is a classy lady- (Like this!) and then blow it out of proportion and act like it's the end of gaming as we know it and it's really annoying

So sayeth the one who cares what random people on the internet say about, well, anything? In particular, I am talking about your extensive negative coverage about the Fate/ series along with other various series with comments from random people that probably cannot tell their heads from their asses. So I redirect your statement back to you: Why do you care about idiotic statements from people whom you will never meet? Why do you always blow it out of proportion?

Everything you stated in your post is exactly the same thing you do. As such, I believe you are calling the kettle black a little too often.

So please, I invite you, take a deep breath, regain your composure, and re-read my post. If you notice, I was talking about everything long-term and the ill direction that it looks like Sony is heading. As The_Console1 has said, in addition to my speculation, that this may impact the Playstation 4's 'region free' status. Speaking as a frequent game importer, that would really, really suck.

Speaking on this game alone; imagine if you bought an imported PS3 from a different country (for whatever reason) and given that you knew that the PS3 was region free and that it would have no problem playing games released domestically, you would be S. O. L. in this case. What if you live somewhere that is not US, EU, or JP? Again, you would be out of luck. With the Xbox 360, you expect a game to be region locked in most cases. With the PS3, you would not, as it was considered unthinkable that they would ever region-lock a game in the first place, hence the uproar.

For the record, Sony has removed key features in the past ('Other OS' and the '5 system activations to 2 system activations' are the major ones that spring to mind) so who is to say that Sony will not turn around and make 'any new games after [MM/DD/YY] must be region-locked' mandatory? THAT is what I (and others) fear. Or even just Company [X] following in Atlus' footsteps.

In other words, no, I do not think that they will do an instant 'region-lock' that blocks any and all imports on a PS3. But there is nothing stopping them from making it a permanent implementation on future releases.

I am a realist, and given how horrendous the internal management of Sony is, I am calling it how I see it. Keep in mind that everything I have stated is only a possibility, albeit, a quite probable possibility.

matty said:
^Maybe 'cause the issue here mostly concerns the future than the short-term results. Also, if you can't see how people who feel they already support games in imports and domestic releases might feel a little upset here (among other legitimate reasons), then I can't help ya.

Anyway, Atlus USA released a statement about all this. Explaining with was the parent company's decision, not their's:

http://www.siliconera.com/2012/07/06/atlus-persona-4-arena-region-locking-not-a-slippery-slope/

You can make your own judgement from that.
Personally, as an importer of many years, this issue weighs more than a single released game - and as much as I love Atlus and their work, I stand firmly against region-locking.

I agree and I heard of this beforehand. While I am happy that Atlus seems to have understood the gravity of the backfire, as I have said before, there is technically nothing stopping another company from doing the exact same thing in the future.

I fear that 'import sales' may become the new 'used-game sales' finger pointing that companies will throw around and then jump on the bandwagon for region locking.

Finally, I also am against region-locking, which is why I bought my PS3 in the first place.