80°

PS3's gone all this time without any region locked games. So why has it happened now?

GamesRadar - Unlike Xbox 360, PS3 managed to get almost seven years into its life before any of its games were region locked. But it's finally happened – Atlus' new brawler Persona 4 Arena is going to be the first game that will only work on PS3 consoles from the same region the game is being sold in. The news has angered the internet, which has become accustomed to not only getting PS3 games earlier by importing, but sometimes cheaper too. But now, US gamers won't be able to get it earlier, and Japanese gamers won't be able to get it cheaper. So Atlus has responded with a press release – the content of which pretty much amounts to: "We are really, really sorry, and it won't happen again. Sorry, bye. Sorry".

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gamesradar.com
Godmars2904300d ago

Has more to do with Japanese gamers importing the Western which will likely be cheaper than the other way around.

sinncross4300d ago

Actually this is a really good point.

Looking at CODMW3 atm, the US version is much cheaper to purchase in Japan (well off an online site at least) than the actual Japanese versions.

nukeitall4300d ago

I always thought it wasn't even possible to region lock on PS3 games.

GillHarrison4300d ago

The releases are about a month apart, it's to prevent reverse importation.

hellvaguy4300d ago

I dont get why you would want a game thats in a foriegn language. I mean how would you even navigate the menus?

GillHarrison4300d ago

A fighting game doesn't really require much knowledge of a foreign language to get the game running

baldulf4300d ago

Both USA and JAP versions are multilanguage, that's why.

Hicken4300d ago

Some people in the world know more than one language, too. Sometimes, they prefer certain things in a certain language, even if it's not their native one.

Sometimes, it's just cheaper.

Whitefox7894300d ago (Edited 4300d ago )

You would actually be surprised in Japanese games Menu's are in English however all other forms of text such as in story mode, victory quotes, or move lists use some form of Japanese scripting: Kanji, Hiraganan or Katakana (Persona 4 Arena being an exception since I believe the JPN copy has the option for English text like Arc System Works Previous Fightning Games Blazblue series)

And what better example of what I mean then the Persona 4 Arena Main Menu :D

http://i55.photobucket.com/...

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4300d ago
Summons754300d ago

I can understand wanting to import games that are not leaving Japan if you know the language, but I don't understand why you would want to import a game that is coming out literally a month later in your respective language. Can't wait for P4: Arena or P4 Golden...just wish they would put P4 on the psn like the did with P3.

Oh yeah ANNOUNCE P5 already pleasee

Whitefox7894300d ago

The region locking is more for their own home territory since a brand new copy of P4A in Japan is $90 where someone can wait in Japan for literally 12 days for the U.S. version where they can import it for $30 cheaper.

The region locking probably wouldn't of come up if the release for the U.S. and EU versions weren't so close to the Japan release date.

Source:
JPN Release Play Asia Price: http://www.play-asia.com/Pe...
Asian Release Play Asia Price: http://www.play-asia.com/Pe...
JPN Release Special Edition: http://www.play-asia.com/Pe...

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30°

Persona 4 Arena Celebrates One Decade of Pushing Persona Forward

It's hard to imagine a time before Persona spin-offs, but Persona 4 Arena marked the turning point from a humble RPG series to something greater.

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gamerant.com
60°

Inside the Creation of Persona 4 Arena | Thisvthattv

Persona 4 has been an incredibly popular series for Atlus over the years. After its initial release on the PlayStation 2 in 2008, it has received a remake, multiple sequels, and various adaptations. Out of all of the ways that fans imagined their favorite characters interacting on screen, seeing them beat the life bars out of each other probably wasn’t what they had in mind. Today, we’ll be taking a closer look at one of the most interesting genre crossovers of the early 2010s, Persona 4 Arena.

150°

A beginner's guide to Persona

Atlus’ Persona series has exploded in popularity. This means there are not only mainline installments, but also ports, updated releases, reimaginings and spin-offs. There are all interesting games that do cool things with elements from the series, but it is also a series where you probably shouldn’t go and begin with the very first game. Fortunately, it isn’t difficult to find a good starting point.

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michibiku.com
Zodiac1629d ago (Edited 1629d ago )

Frome what I remember, the PSP version of Persona 3 added the ability to command your teammates in battle? There was something different/better about battle for the PSP one. I remember noticing because I played 4, started 3 on PSP, then started over when i got the ps2 version.

I would def recommend playing either 3 or 4 before 5. the menus and the colors and fonts and everything in 5 was just SO MUCH to get used to. I felt like it was a comic book and an episode of JoJo at once. Amazing game, though lol

feenix-51629d ago

I wish I could go back and be a Persona virg once again!

goldwyncq1629d ago

Persona 4 Golden is one of the best games of all time.