"You should be careful what you wish for" says Yoshida

One of the most long-standing complaint against Sony's PlayStation Store set up is that the content differs by region. Because Sony Computer Entertainment divisions operate independently, what's released on the US Store may not be released on the European Store, and vice versa.

[bad naruto]

BullSh*t, IF MS can do it so can Sony, i want a global PSN Store damn it.

This is one of the psn BIG problems. atleast they should make a global psn cards.

[Optical_Matrix]

But Microsoft don't do it though. A big complaint in continental Europe in fact is that XBL Gold is nowhere near the service it is in English speaking countries in terms of services and content. This is evident when you then realise why the 360 is more popular in the US/UK than it is in Japan and Mainland Europe.

So I think it's something everyone needs to work on, Nintendo included.

[Yi-Long]

... here in Holland, we STILL don't have access to the indie-store! It's ridiculous!

As far as PSN is concerned, I would love to get it all global, especially considering that I'll be moving to the other side of the world next month so I'm kinda worried about my purchases I made on my EU-account. I'm guessing I can still download them, but it will probably be extremely slow doing so.

Also, here in Holland our PSN-store is only available in the Dutch language, without any option for english text. I hate that, especially considering the sometimes quite poor translations.

[CraigandDayDay]

The PS Store could be made universal if they wanted it too, but I"m sure there are legal issues with each region. There has to be a reason why Sony does this. They've come a long way since the PS3 launched though.

Their gaming division has remained profitable. They are doing most things right. They've improved the PS3 since it released. The network is a lot better than at launch. The games just keep on coming.

PSN is still FREE. That is a HUGE differentiator for some gamers. When people are paying $60 a piece for games and then even more money for DLC on all these games, they shouldn't have to plunk down another $50-60 a year for the ability to use the online component of their already bought games.

The Vita is proof that Sony is listening to us. It has a party system and cross game chat built in the system. This means the PS4 will have these features as well. The Vita's online REMAINS FREE so that means the PS4 will most likely have FREE PSN still. PS+ will continue on the PS4 to provide Sony with an additional revenue stream and to provide us gamers with an endless slew of free/discounted games and other perks (automatic downloading, etc.).

Sony just needs to implement Gaikai into the PS4 and all their products. If they offer a seamless transition of gaming to where you can play PS exclusives and third party games on the PS4 and then save the game and instantly pick up where you left off on your Vita or Sony/third party tablets, they'll have a real game changer on their hands. I think the Vita will have a 4G/LTE model in the future that will allow seamless Gaikai integration for on-the-go portable/home console gaming, both online and offlline.

If they can get all their products talking to one another like Apple products do, they'll have a winner when the PS4 comes out. I should be able to control my PS4 with my Sony tablets and Sony phones. The PS4 should be able to stream content from Sony cameras and Sony Vaio computers. Finally, they should build in Gaikai into their Bravia Televisions so that people can play certain PlayStation games, which will pique their interest in the PS brand, so they might go out and buy a PS3/Vita/PS4, etc. Third party integration would make all of this even better. Oh, and btw, LOWER YOUR TV PRICES. LoL

@ElitaStorm (below)
Well said. It would suck if games had to be removed for everybody if just one region deemed it unacceptable.

[Army_of_Darkness]

Relax dude, relax! only you and 7 other people seem to have a BIG Issue regarding this non global psn service....
Better Listen to the reason first, before going on a Geeky-monkey-rage on us.

read Elitastorm's comment. It makes sense.

[DOMination-]

Gaikai is all well and good but im amazed that people are ok with the idea that they will have to re-buy their ps3 games next gen.

[StanSmith]

Yoshida: "You should be careful what you wish for"

Stansmith: "Do you expect me to talk?"

Yoshida: "NOooo, Mr Smith, I expect you to die"

*cue laser*

[Gamerita]

for *** sake why do you only have 1 speech bubble ?

n4g = if we don't like what you say we will silence YOU.

[irepbtown]

I live in England.

I have a US and Japanese playstation accounts (obviously my main English account as well). One reason is you Americans tend to get demo's early (few days only). Japan have some of the most badass themes. I've got this one with Zebras that walk around in the wild (for free).

It's worth making a couple accounts since there's no 'Global' one which exists. I guess one reason is legal issues as CraigandDayDay mentioned. I'm hoping they'll do it for the next console (same goes with Xbox).

[hkgamer]

@irepbtown

i also live in the uk, but i have a japanese ps3. i cant play psone classics from the uk store because they are in pal format so i have to download it from the us store. i dont mind doing all this because switching account and paying a little extra for psn cards is nothing to me.

however, my main problen is that vita only allows one psn account, unless i want to keep reformating my vita memory card i would have to purchase psone classics from the uk store and not be able to play on my ps3. or to switch to use my us account permanently and pay a premium using psn cards.

if they globalised the whole store in the future, it probably will be better for me, but for others it probably be worse since the prices will probably be unified and the pruces will be european prices. will have plenty of delays. etc...

instead of globalising the whole psn i reckon they should have an import section. i wouldn't mind if i could use my uk psn account and purchase things from the japanese/us store at a premium. i mean people from the uk would finally be able to play some games that weren't released over here. some psone classics like xenogears and parasite eve was not available.

[badz149]

dude, troll somewhere else! the only places that XBL is what people so-call "great" are US, UK and JPN....the others? not so much but you know what? it cost the same to be Gold members as US while getting less!

that's 1 thing PSN is better than XBL because they can't offer the exact services like what the US, UK and JPN got in other countries but it cost nothing to access it anywhere, so no biggies!

[ElitaStorm]

hes right
i think what he means is if a game gets banned in one country for example is better then getting a game banned global

[FACTUAL evidence]

judging by that avatar....you're verrry naughy.

[ShaunCameron]

And part of the reason why region-lock exists is because of this. What may be perfectly legal in one region might not be in another region. Hence the delays, bans, etcetera. Despite the PS3 and its games being region-free, Sony still has to respect the laws of the land they're doing business in especially local content laws.

[Dee_91]

lol i was like damn why does that picture look so familiar

[FragMnTagM]

Love your avatar. That is my second favorite website, after fuq.

[MasterCornholio]

I agree Xhamster.

LOL

[ajax17]

Like in Austrailia! They're one of the worst when it comes to banning games!

[hkgamer]

i think they should have content restriction. just filter out some things for some people.

it does sound stupid and takes away the whole point of having a globalised service, but it would be taking the first step.
globalised service can also help smaller devs reaching a massive audience. if its not in your language then tough. try to play the game without understanding a word.
i remember all my games used to be japanese when i was younger. never understood a damn word but still completed plenty of games, including mgs2, breath of fire, zoe, etc...

anyway before i go more offtopic, would just like to saythat having a globalised network would benefit vita users because it is so hard to keep juggling accounts on the vita

[Dir_en_grey]

I don't need global PSN cards, but I don't want to be penalized if I DO have access to different region PSN credit. I want a way to buy DLC for a Japanese Vita game played on my US account. As well as downloaded Vita or PSP/PS One games from Japan on my US account.

Yes I know and I do have 2 vita memory cards, but it takes a long time just to switch back and forth between memory cards/accounts. Everything is fine on PS3, but really a pain on Vita and I wish they could somehow fix that. It's not just that either, imagine IF a multi-player game like Ragnarok Odyssey was never picked up by a US publisher, if it was on PS3 I can still import the game and find many others from US who imported and online to play with (like Monster Hunter P3 HD) cuz of the ease.
And the penalties for playing an import game on the Vita deters more people from importing, things like that.

I'm not asking for one big legal and world wide QA. Sony can still have regional management as they do now, but if they can say let people choose a main account, and allow people to assign one sub account per region under that main account (kinda like PS3 with main and subs), then that would totally solve the problem on Vita.

There are many Vita games that will never come to US due to cultural or various reasons. Language preference is also reason for multi-lingual people to import these Vita games (Like Persona 4 Golden not having Japanese voice tracks etc)
Don't penalize us for trying spend money for DLC in other regions. Most of people that import still mainly buy domestic games. And it only helps if you give them more incentive to use your products.

Also I buy downloaded games on PSN because I know they'll try to carry it over to the next gen and maybe the ones after that. I rather them do something about multi-region accounts now rather then maybe in the future I'll be locked down to one account per machine and not able to play all the games/dlcs I bought from other regions.

[wastedcells]

Nobody can do it. It's too much trouble. Every country has different ratings systems and rights necessary to clear a game for sale. It would just delay everything.

[JoGam]

Check ur facts first before u comment.

[r1sh12]

@CraigandDayDay
I do think sony is slowly creating its own eco system. Getting the PS stuff on android etc.., gearing up for cloud tech, the vita etc.
I think its a logistical thing where they do not need to spend too much money on integration right now, they are working towards making something due for PS4 launch.
Makes more sense to have it ready for PS4 release because they can phase out PS3 integration.

[Athonline]

There are legal issues (e.g. money back laws in EU for digital services ,compare to US, Japan, etc).
Moreover Sony operates as a different legal entity in each reason. Extreme example: Sony Entertainment Europe goes bankrupt, banks can go to seize SEE assets but can not touch anything owned by Sony Entertainment America! Plus it is better for Sony to distribute financial risks, costs, taxes, etc etc...
Microsoft does the same thing. This is way XBox Live! Marketplace is sometimes more expensive in EU than US.
The difference between Sony and Microsoft is that Sony older titles (PS1-2 games) were released with region locks, different ratings/contexts across different region. These are the main titles not appearing at every store. Microsoft doesn't have to deal with this, as most context distributed through their services, is made for digital, international distribution.... can tell you more if you want :)

Just remmber even Apple with iTunes, Amazon with their digital marketplace, etc etc got such issues..

[Dir_en_grey]

@Athonline
They can only sell what they can sell, but it is not illegal for them nor the people that decide to import to buy their games right?

So they've already divided the stores into regions and separated the currency/region locked PSN cards, isn't that enough on their part?
It was like that on the PS3.

If I have a Japanese credit card but live in US, it's not illegal for both me nor Sony for me to buy stuff from their Japanese store correct?

So wouldn't it be ok for Sony to allow multiple accounts on Vita just like PS3? (I know it's done to prevent game sharing, but how about just allow one more account per different region and sub it under one main account, where only main account can access sub account purchases and not the other way around)
This is different then joining and having one big global store. The local branch seriously do not lose business from people importing because they don't do it often and it goes both ways.

This only makes buying a Vita more attractive to people so they know that they can still buy an imported game once in a while but still have the ability to download DLC's for that game without being locked out.

[Athonline]

@Dir_en_grey
Due to fair global trade laws, it isn't illegal to import games, etc etc. However is some countries where a game is banned or under different rating, it is "illegal" to use it. Depends on the ban and the law system of the country. It all comes down to the legal system of the country and how the ban was enforced.

For buying online games through digital marketplace: Depends on the marketplaces ToA. Normally as you register to the marketplace, they required you to enter an address from the country the marketplace belongs to (e.g. a US address for the US PSN). This is the illegal part, as you use fake data at the moment you agreed when you accepted the ToA that all information you enter are valid for you as a legal entity. Hope I make sense!

The reason behind Vita not having multiple accounts is I guess:
-Vita is a personal handheld, while a PS3 is a console. Sony expects every person to have their own Vita, but only one PS3 per household for the whole family.
-Memory. Creating an account may need some extra MBs of memory, sounds little, but when it comes to flash memory every extra MBs costs..

Even large international corporations with "brick" stores, have different local branches with unique pricing and context. Marks & Spencer in UK is cheaper than in Cyprus for example, but in Cy they offer much more variety of food.

Stores like Game in London, due to competition, it is cheaper and with better offers than the Guildford Game store! And their online store, even cheaper!

The localisation is done due to laws and in order to appear more attractive to the local residences, while maximising the profis.

I did Marketing, Business Finance, IP Law and Business law at Uni (part of BSc in Computing degree).

[xtremeimport]

I just have a canadian and european account.
the american is near the same as the canadian.

so im okay with it.

[GribbleGrunger]

'You should be careful what you wish for. If you want all regions managed by one perspective, one view of the largest country, then you are not in for a good ride.'

Oh WOW! Did he really just have the balls to say that? We know, you know, but it's heartening to know, you know we know too. Respect.

[Godmars290]

He is talking from his own, corporate, perspective. The same one that's caused a number of issues in consumer eyes.

[GraveLord]

Different PSN stores per region allows Sony to cater to the needs of each region.

[RustInPeace]

Exactly! Imagine the problems a global store would cause... You think downloads are slow as is, just think how non-existant the dl speeds would be every time there is an update to the store... The network would probably collapse!

[EmperorDalek]

A global store does not necessarily mean infrastructure to support it would be centralised in one place.

[RustInPeace]

@Dalek,
I didnt mean servers would be held in one place, but the massive amount of traffic would bring it to its knees... Wow, 3 disagrees because of people not understanding what I meant... Gotta love this sites community./s

[wastedcells]

True and there are all kinds of bullshit laws and trouble getting things cleared for sale in different parts of the world so it would be a mess. Never going to happen.

[DivineAssault]

I see his point.. This is why we love PS, the fact we have so many options opposed to the competition.. If it were like MS, we prolly wouldnt see as many eastern releases as we do.. The one committee would say "NOPE!, wont sell in the west & they dont like it" end of story.. "NOPE! only make shooters cuz thats all they want." Im sure theres many other factors as well but look at nintendo.. Westerners dont get much beyond adolescent titles localized because of sh*t like that

[Knushwood Butt]

There are obviously pros and cons.

In Japan, we miss out on a lot of stuff other countries get, but the reverse is also true.

Also, people have financial limits, if there was a global store the amount of content would be overwhelming.

Still, there are still game available on other PS Stores that I want, yet aren't available in Japan. Some quite surprising. For example, Dead Nation never got released in Japan. I still want that...

[RustInPeace]

Really? Never? I thought they did, considering the fact that the leaderboards had Japan placed 2ed under USA in total zombie kills until a few months ago (I think they're placed 1st as of now). Is that just a made up in-game stat (real question)?

[Knushwood Butt]

Yeah, check Wiki. No JP launch date.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

[Baka-akaB]

Not to play the dumb cheerleader , but what do you truly miss and how is financial constraint in play ?

You were buying a game online , bare a few differences in exchange rate , you'll be paying it , be it on us , japanese , uk etc stores .

You have an array of game with only a few oddities server restricted online , most of those from the past , and can safely jump from a local store to another .

The only real barriers could be languages , PSN + not being a worldwide unique service , a big one indeed , or some people's unwillingness to press a few buttons to connect on a second account to purchase stuff or get demos

[Knushwood Butt]

I don't know for sure, but Japan never got Super Streetfighter II Turbo HD (surprisingly), or Silent Hill PS1, or SF Alpha (PS1).

I miss all of them.

[Baka-akaB]

Yeah but even so any japanese can set up a us or eu account and get it . it's even cheaper when you factor change rates to switch between stores .

Like other pointed out , many would lose out , with a flat rate established global store and a consensus on what's good everywhere as content , over the diversity we get .

[Knushwood Butt]

Yeah, but they would get the store in English.

Very few people would do it.

I realise I should get around to doing it, but haven't.. Too many unplayed games as it is!

[pain777pas]

Be very careful what you wish for indeed. That was a deep post believe it or not. There is nothing wrong with the setup the way it is believe that especially from an economic standpoint. Convenience in one area will bring about disaster in another. Mr. Yoshida is to be commended.

[kopicha]

actually Sony don't need a global store. what they need is to further improve their internal certification process across region in order to allow releases to be more consistence across regions. global store is kinda stupid. not only download speed can be affected (imagine downloading a really huge game). I think people who ask for global store also forget about time zone differences. with that everyone will have complain again over slow download speed and late delivery (in specific country due to time zone and some country would even gain access earlier than it should) So he is right. Be careful with what you wish for...

[Baka-akaB]

THis exactly . Last thing we need is a global store dictating what's released for everyone , especially according to worlwide performances .

SCEE , among others need to be more efficiently with their schedules

[Qrphe]

Would we all be paying Japanese, European or North American PSN prices????

I'm not down for a global store neither.

[talisker]

European prices also differ between countries. So does the content. Just for your information.

[b_one]

as a user from Poland i must admit we have a good exchange rate from Euro to our currency

[Kiwi_Blue]

They should at least have comparable prices across all regions.

[GreenRanger]

There won't be a worldwide PSN store because of the different laws in each country/region.
I think that he was hinting more towards a unified Sony.

[Cam977]

I love the Ps store, a weekly shop never hurts anyone!
Yesterday I was going to buy the Donut Party-Hat pack but chose a gas mask for my Uncharted 3 Desert agent 13. I only just bought the U3 GOTY for all f the Mp Dlc and it is so much better.
After trading in my standard U3, I only got it for £4!
£20+ of content for £4 - bargain!

[redtideone11]

Ok to go along with this article, where is crash bandicoot for the ps vita on North American Psn store? come on sony! get with it or fire the people in charge of psn. I am sick of waiting when UK alredy has it.

[Phantom68]

This is rubbish! Stema is able to publish globally and still deals with the differnt laws of the land in Europe so why Sony cannot?
If he thinks by creating mini corporation in each territory he is giving us good service he is very much mistakne. PSM3 has decided to investigate the store discrpancies and look into these issues. It is not just about games delayed or MIA. It is also about the lack of communciation from the 'so called' PR team which at best answers 'the game is in QA' and at worst answers 'no comment'.
A game that has passed QA in NA needs to pass QA in Europe and that is bollocks. The purpose of QA is to check that there is nothing foundamentally wrong with the game that can break the experience (well done Sony QA for Skyrim) and also to check that tehre are no holes that can be exploited by hackers. If the game passes QA in NA than it should be good to be publishedi in Europe provided the licence is in place.

[Baka-akaB]

It's not that simple ... crappy remnants of the Pal standards kinda force you to test and tweak your games for Eu zones , among other things . Now there is no reason for it to be that slow

[MYSTERIO360]

It seems Sony adopting MS approach(in Managing multiple small countries)would be far more inefficient for them in relation to their current system. But surely the next best solution for Sony would be to employ a bigger localization/certification team that could get content released on all regions at the same time would be great.

I for one dislike how the current system structure is missing out on counterstrike and other games/content is a bit disappointing.

[Kos-Mos]

At least I managed to get my copy of Xenogears from buying a pre-paid US psn card.

[DeletedAcc]

You should be careful what you wish for

Nathan drake said it, too :D

[carlocgc]

thats always been my main problem with Playstation i waited for years for resident evil 2 & 3 to come to europe by the time they did i was a PC gamer and didnt care anymore.

[OooHJohnny]

Well... it's kinda cool to have multiple accounts in different regions of the world...

[thehitman]

Dont ppl think that Sony would want to have 1 store than make a different store for each region? There are reasons behind the way things are if your too ignorant to understand why dont blame Sony for it. Every global company works the same way in almost every industry around the world not everything is the same.

[kingPoS]

Be carefull what you wish for.

What other game console lets you openly play current gen games from other regions. It seems like people have taken for granted the overall region freeness of the ps3.

Why can't people just be glad they can import with relative ease. With the ps3 a current gen game is always within reach regardless of region.
So hop on to ebay, amazon, psn or your local importer and enjoy an open platform while you can.

[snarls200]

In Canada a certain % of the store must be candaian content.

[Phantasic_Glaive1]

Are you guys f#$&n nuts! The man Just basically warned you guys ..
You guys are so spoiled by Sony, that you don't know when to quit while your ahead! How do you know exactly that you would love a global store? Cause EU got Res E5 for plus??? Sony stop listening to these kids who think they can do a better job, cause they graduated community college and do what's best!

[Tzuno]

Yeah it might happen :)

[Saturne3]

The store would probably crash all the time considering the insane amounth of people browsing through it at the same time.

Look what happned to COD Elite app.