[PS3] Persona 4 Arena Will Be Region Locked

[Steve-O]

I don't agree with locked content on the disc, if it on the disc it should be able to be used, you payed for the content on that disc and i just think it very unfair doing that, but I CAN see the reason of region locking the game. I'm going to use Catherine as my example here, it came out in japan in late 2010 I believe (november I think) it took over 6 months to get it over to america, and then another 7 month to get it in the UK Finally in 2012 (we got it on the second, same day as FFXIII-2). During that time I bet loads of ps3 users imported the game from america, and Catherine ended up getting really bad sales in Europe, and the Europen version of persona 4 arena (remember the EU version of Atlas games are developed by Zen United) hasn't even got a release date. soo they are doing it to stop sales from being really bad in Europe, yes I am gutted as i'm gonna have to wait for a EU Release, but I do see the reasons why they are doing it.

[WolfBlack]

I don't agree with locked content on the disc, if it on the disc it should be able to be used, you payed for the content on that disc and i just think it very unfair doing that, but I CAN see the reason of region locking the game. I'm going to use Catherine as my example here, it came out in japan in late 2010 I believe (november I think) it took over 6 months to get it over to america, and then another 7 month to get it in the UK Finally in 2012 (we got it on the second, same day as FFXIII-2). During that time I bet loads of ps3 users imported the game from america, and Catherine ended up getting really bad sales in Europe, and the Europen version of persona 4 arena (remember the EU version of Atlas games are developed by Zen United) hasn't even got a release date. soo they are doing it to stop sales from being really bad in Europe, yes I am gutted as i'm gonna have to wait for a EU Release, but I do see the reasons why they are doing it.

Exactly. The only reason to be up at arms on region-locking is if your region isn't getting it. And even then, region-locking more often than not is the console-developer's decision, not the game developer's. For example, the 3DS is region-locked. I'd be pissed if SMT 4 or Soul hackers for 3DS never made it to the states, but it'd be Nintendo I'd be angry at for making that stupid call, because it's often the console developers that block certain releases to other countries as well (see Operation Windfall or even Starmen's case for Mother to view all the RPGs Nintendo was trying to block from overseas release).

[MagicMasher]

...Unless I sped-read the thread too fast and all, @kratoscar2008, this has NOTHING to do with any disc-locked content. Persona 4: ARENA, in both regions, on both PS3 discs, will have everything that the other has. The only difference is you have to buy the disc that is sent to your region. It's honestly not a shady move at all; it's a sales move. And honestly, I don't care that they did it.

I can understand if people get up-at-arms for something like "Oh, this region will has this content, but this region won't" or "This region can only have online play with the region they are in", but neither of those seem to be the case. The online play is Global. I don't understand why you, or anyone with these same complaints, are bashing or saying you refuse to buy the game.

[Steve-O]

...Unless I sped-read the thread too fast and all, @kratoscar2008, this has NOTHING to do with any disc-locked content. Persona 4: ARENA, in both regions, on both PS3 discs, will have everything that the other has. The only difference is you have to buy the disc that is sent to your region. It's honestly not a shady move at all; it's a sales move. And honestly, I don't care that they did it.

I can understand if people get up-at-arms for something like "Oh, this region will has this content, but this region won't" or "This region can only have online play with the region they are in", but neither of those seem to be the case. The online play is Global. I don't understand why you, or anyone with these same complaints, are bashing or saying you refuse to buy the game.

I agree with you right down to the letter there, it a sales move to stop sales going down due to imports, tbh I'm not fussed, yes i'm gonna have to wait for Zen United to move their butts, but I can live with that, had to do the same with BlazBlue Continuum Shift Extend, soo nothing new there

[Hayabusa]

Got more news regarding the region lock.



Atlus has released a statement regarding recent news that Persona 4 Arena, due for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on July 26 in Japan, August 7 in North America, and later this year in Europe, is region-locked on PlayStation 3.

(Note: I did receive a few e-mails about this, and didn’t think it was important to address considering the game is launching in all three major territories, but apparently the Atlus fan base has proved me wrong. For that, I apologize.)
Find the full statement below.

Friends of ATLUS,
The last week brought with it news that Persona°4 Arena™ would effectively become the first PlayStation°3 system game to be region-locked. We can today confirm that this is true; the game will be region-locked in all its respective territories of release.

As we’ve ascertained from your impassioned responses online, this is obviously a tremendous frustration for many fans. We understand the various perspectives on the matter. Those who fear this is a slippery slope, the beginning of a dangerous and unnecessary precedent. Those who import foreign hardware for a multitude of reasons and expect to be unlimited in their software selection. Those who aren’t necessarily affected by this issue, but who are principally opposed to it. We are not blind to these concerns and we pledge to grow ever more informed as to exactly what our fans want. It should be added that we were completely unprepared for the force with which the community communicated their disapproval.

There are, however, a few points to clarify. This is NOT the beginning of a new ATLUS policy, nor do we view it as a precedent or a slippery slope. If anything, your determination and dedication to what you believe in has certainly stood in the face of that. This is an isolated case, a situation precipitated by a number of factors, some of which are simply out of our North American hands. Moreover, and perhaps there is no way to convince our fans of this considering the magnitude of the betrayal many are feeling, but we are not doing this out of malice or a desire to control. Allow us to explain.
Persona 4 Arena achieves a number of triumphs for our North American publishing house. For years, our fans have asked us to include dual language audio in our games. Finally, with P4 Arena, we were able to deliver on that desire and include the exact same content as the Japanese release for our North American fans. Moreover, our North American community is often forced to wait months for a localized release (a plight our friends across the Atlantic can relate to). Again, with P4 Arena, we’re able to release within two weeks of Japan. We pushed hard for these things. We know our fans want them–well really, EXPECT them–and we did our best to get as much for our release as possible.

The unforeseen consequence in all of this was that we had a version of our biggest game of the year releasing within a couple weeks in two territories, both identical in content, but at radically different price points. Importing, as great as it is for gamers who otherwise can’t get access to a title, can also cannibalize the performance of a title in one territory to the benefit of another. While we’re all one big ATLUS family, the reality is that the dramatic difference between the Yen and the Dollar makes for a dramatic difference in price. So the decision was made, perhaps at the expense of some of our fans, clearly at the frustration of many, to region-lock Persona 4 Arena.

For many of you, there is no explanation that resonates, no justification that atones for this fact. We can only endeavor to earn back your confidence and, to learn from your arguments. We absolutely recognize the fear that this is the beginning of a trend. We in no way view it as such. Please also keep in mind that the game’s excellent online multiplayer is global, a fact that is in no way affected by the region-lock. Players can compete against fighters from all territories.

A tremendous team of talented developers and artists poured their blood, sweat, and tears into Persona 4 Arena, and every reaction we’ve ever received to the game has shown that those efforts are readily apparent. The decision to region-lock P4 Arena was a business one, one that has very clearly affected how many perceive the project, but we ask you to please not overlook the exceptional efforts of the people behind the game and to work with us through constructive dialogue.
Thank you.

Source: Gematsu