PS4 Blu-Ray Player Is Region Locked (For Films)

While it is great news to hear that the PlayStation 4 continues the trend of being a region-free console in terms of gaming, the same cannot be said for all of the console’s multimedia facets. Despite Sony being a main investor into the Blu-Ray Disc Association, Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida confirmed that the PS4 Blu-Ray player will be region-locked.

[rajman]

Not a surprise, was the same for PS3. Alot of studios these days release multi region blu rays, which is great

[Abash]

Yeah I dont mind region locked Blu-Rays, it's the games that need to be region free

[caseh]

Not even much of an issue these days. Not many people can speak Japanese and there is rarely any need to import from English speaking regions as the game is already available.

I think I imported a grand total of 3 games this gen, Initial D (Jap), Wangan Midnight(Jap) and Demons Souls (US) none of which I would have missed that much, Demon's Souls got a European release in the end.

[badz149]

same with PS3 but this seems like a total non-issue considering how many region free BD movies out there.

[sigfredod]

PS3 was the same, no news here

[djplonker]

I dont go out of the country to buy my dvds so I should be fine ;)

[Godmars290]

What, is the XB1's not?

Odd considering that almost everything else was when the console was first announced.

[XB1_PS4]

It doesn't say the xb1 isn't region locked. I assume it is, this isn't a comparison article.

[Godmars290]

Its also nothing that the PS3 doesn't do, so unless the XB1 as the only other game system that plays BR disc does something different from what's been established, there's really no point in this article.

[XB1_PS4]

A question was asked, and answered. If anyone else had the same question regarding the PS4, it's now answered. It has nothing at all to do with any other platform. Not everything has to be "this vs that".

[PlayStation_4]

All BDs are region locked unless the studio specifically states otherwise.

Blame the BDA if for some reason you watch imported blu-rays

[MidnytRain]

Of course it has a purpose. It informs anyone who might have hoped that the newest console might have taken a step forward in region access.

[MegaRay]

Pre-order cancelled.
Wait for movies? This a gaming site b*t**es HOW AM I GONNA RE-PREORDERING MY SYSTEM!

[Summons75]

that's fine, netflix gets bombarded with good and awful japanese and korean movies anyway so no need to buy them.

[SaffronCurse]

Most BD movies are region free anyway.

[Naga]

This might have an impact on the importation sales of the PS4 with places like Japan, who may not have wanted to wait until next year for the console's release.

[djplonker]

No way people will be buying it for the games not the blu-ray player IF they were going as far as importing it!

I think of it more as an added extra

[Naga]

Would you still import a system early if it meant it would never play your region's movies? Rather than just wait for the proper release and get a fully-functional console?

The truth is people will be less likely to find importing early to be worth that permanent sacrifice. Most people don't think of Blu Ray capability as just some "added extra". It's a core feature of the hardware.

[djplonker]

I am sure they have a ps3 and blu-ray players are cheap as chips!

[Naga]

You are actually suggesting that the Blu-Ray movie capability has no substantial impact on the perceived value of the PS4.

Applying your reasoning, if Sony took away the ability of the PS4 to play Blu-Ray movies, they would still sell the same number of PS4's. You and I both know that isn't true; it would be lower.

My claim is that the percentage drop in sales that the aforementioned hypothetical situation would create is approximately the same as the percentage drop that will hit would-be PS4 import numbers as a result of this region lock.

Would-be importers will be more inclined to wait for the legitimate launch of the console in their region (which won't be terribly long) in order to get the most out of their hardware. People want a PS4, not an almost-PS4.