Mitchell Corp founder Roy Ozaki thinks that Nintendo's region locking policy has more to do with shifting additional units than it does with controlling releases in different territories.
While Nintendo has always exercised some kind of regional lock in its home systems, its portable devices have traditionally been region-free — which makes sense when you consider that people can take them all over the world. However, this all changed with the 3DS, which is only capable of playing games from the territory in which is was purchased. Even the New 3DS — which is due out in Japan next month, and in the west next year — will be region-locked.
We've discussed the whys and wherefores of region locking before, and Nintendo has even gone on record to state why it chooses to use this approach when its rivals — Sony and Microsoft — have all but abandoned it.
However, Ozaki — whose company has enjoyed a very close relationship with Nintendo over the years, producing exclusive titles such as Tokyo Crash Mobs, Polarium and Magnetica — feels that the real objective behind locking out games from other countries is to sell more consoles.
Speaking to John Szczepaniak in his excellent book The Untold History of Japanese Games Developers, Ozaki explains his perspective on the matter:
John Szczepaniak: I haven't bought a 3DS, because Nintendo put region locking on it. What do you think?
Roy Ozaki: That's to get more sales. You see, Nintendo is a hardware company. They want more people to buy their hardware.
JS: So you think it's deliberate, to encourage people to buy multiple machines?
RO: Yes. Nintendo has a lot of Kyoto University graduates. So you've got the best brains in there. As a matter of fact, I'm on pretty good terms with the guy that comes out with those kind of ideas for Nintendo.
JS: Really? Who is the guy?
RO: Higashiyama? I don't know, they're like banks. Every three years or so they move. Anyway, Higashiyama really helped us a lot. With a lot of things. Really nice guy.
JS: So Higashiyama came up with the idea to region-lock the 3DS?
RO: Probably, it's all on consensus.
Do you think Ozaki has a point, or is the reasoning behind region locking a bit more complex than that? Do you think the opposite is true, and that Nintendo is likely to sell less systems because of this approach, and not more? As ever, the comments section is your friend.
Comments 90
I don't mind if they region-lock Japan as they release games earlier or exclusively in there. What I wish is I could play US version games along with European versions without a problem.
I'm not convinced. I think the average gamer wouldn't invest in two consoles to play international games. Especially if these titles haven't been translated (my Japanese ain't so great). It might be the strategy behind it, but I don't think the hardware sales would outweigh the software sales they would sacrifice by closing off these markets.
Importing games is such a niche hobby that I doubt sales is the motivation. The extra few hundred units they ship in a console's lifetime really isn't worth it. Region-free importing obviously didn't save the Vita in the West, so there's no reason to believe it would help the 3DS much either.
While I think region-locking is pointless, I disagree with Mr. Ozaki's reasoning.
There may be some truth to this, but Nintendo actually "locks" a fair bit regionally, from different iterations of it's hardware (special edition consoles) to vastly differing promotions and varying levels of customer-base involvement. There doesn't seem to be a worldwide strategy as such concerning these things, they seem to leave it up to the different regional teams, with resulting differing levels of fan happiness and frustration - cf special mii distribution, Club Nintendo, relay station provision...
I'm not really sure about that since there wouldn't be a whole lot of people getting a 3DS and especially Wii U from more than one region. (Although I do have a NA and Japanese version of each myself).
Cue people defending a practice that has no benefit to the consumer. Seriously - this is 2014, Simultaneous international releases and regionless consoles should be a given. Nintendo is just using aged practices that shouldn't be around anymore. Fix it Nintendo - stop willingly screwing over your own customers.
I would buy more software yes.
I can only say that i refuse to buy the exact same system twice just because it won't let me play games from another region. In my case they're losing out on software sales instead since there's quite a few NA games i would've imported or downloaded if the Gamecube, Wii, 3DS and Wii U were region-free.
If my 3ds was region free I would have a lot more games for the system then I already have. I really wish Nintendo would just have had games region free.
Region locking affects the customers. If there was a game released in US and Japan only then European/Australian gamers are out of luck and would have to buy an US/Japaneses system. While importing may only be a small percentage there would be an even small percentage of that that would buy a second system from a different region.
I really hate this Love/Hate I have with Nintendo.
From the companys side of things: Its reasonable. Its a form of purchase controll.
From the consumers side: We have no benefit from it whatsoever.
So, its a "He said, she said" situation
"So you know the guy that came up with this then.
Yes I do...
Well Maybe..... I don't know"
This is what I got out of it. I bunch of baloney .
"Nintendo Region Locks Consoles To Get More Hardware Sales"
That's not the best way to go about getting those sales in the long term imo because it just leaves people frustrated with the company's needlessly restrictive decisions (from the customer's point of view).
In the long term giving the consumer the products and services that actually truly satisfy them is how you drive continued sales and loyalty.
Some people will continue to defend Nintendo's every decision and make excuses for them but I'm absolutely convinced that's basically the only real reason they are region locking these devices when everyone else now sees fit to make their devices region free and imo that's not actually the smartest decision in the long term.
I don't agree with his conclusions at all. Even in my most hardcore days I doubt I'd have been so invested in Nintendo that I'd want multiple consoles to play different regions software.
Being honest if I were so inclined to play games that were unavailable to me I'd look into less salubrious methods before throwing down more cash on another console.
For more money? Yes. Why? Because consoles cost more in some regions rather than others.
For more sales? No. Why? Because anybody that wants a 3DS would go out and buy one, either from stores or online. Plus if it wasn't region locked, then people that want say a Japanese 3DS, will order one online anyway...
I dare somebody to say otherwise...
well id herd that its to do with the perental controls as difirnt regens have difrnt age ratings (as i sed that's what iv herd so not FACT so there's no need to atack me over it)
Plus, wouldn't no region locking mean more software sales anyway??
These quotes are speculation. I don't really think that is the case as it is extremely cost prohibitive and you lose out on a warranty. I'm pretty vocal about how much I hate region locking because I do buy multiple systems but I think that I'm a minority. I think that they did it in part to combat piracy. The ds got cracked really quickly but aside from one cart that has very specific requirements the 3ds is pretty much a fort. Sucks for me, but if piracy is up then software sales go down. They don't want or need any (more) devs jumping any ships. Be it WiiU or 3ds. I'm just going Japan only next gen I think.
How did the DS sell more than the 3DS? Because it was region free. Some will debate that the 3DS isn't any different than the DS but I assure you that if the DS were region locked, it wouldn't have come close to outselling the PS2 records (I believe DS is winning as the PS2 is discontinued.)
"However, this all changed with the 3DS". Not quite right. This changed with the DSi when running DSi only games. Original DS games were not region locked.
The introduction of region locking in Nintendo handhelds arrived at the same time as parental controls/games with ratings built in. There is your reason for the introduction of region locking. How do you determine whether a game that is acceptable for all audiences in one territory is the same for all others?
Region Locking will forever bother Nintendo fans. Quite a shame they won't remove it.
Imo they're losing out on software sales, there's quite a bit jp exclusive games I'd like to have but I'm not buying another console (or two) just to play them.
if they removed the region-lock maybe pubs/devs like Atlus would finally release their games with dual audio (or more), I've opted out on more than a couple of localized games due to bad english voice acting (yes it annoys me that much ).
I'll agree that region locking does make people buy more hardware. Unfortunately for Nintendo, it made me buy a PS Vita.
That sounds like conspiracy talk to me. The ammount of people that feel forced to buy multiple hardware copies for each region can't possibly be that great. I will bet a steak dinner that this practice wouldn't possibly move their stock share a single point into the black.
@ImDiggerDan Agreed. That is also the exact reason that Iwata gave. I really think it is as simple as that, plus anti piracy measures. They aren't using the same methods Sony and Microsoft are for parental controls, which makes sense given their large family demographic. I do wish that they would make a universal system os that was unlocked but cost more.
I thought it was so they could accurately measure what countries buy their games, and not make it so everyone imports from where the games are cheaper. This explanation is just dumb.
People outside of Japan have bought a Japanese 3DS to play Smash Bros early for example, so I don't think region locking is losing those hardware sales.
We do not discuss that here, thank you — TBD
Well, if Mr. Ozaki's theory is true it certainly worked on me, as well as owning an original UK 3ds and XL, I bought a Japanese LL about a year ago as I wanted to play Gundam The 3d Battle, E.X Troopers and several Japan eShop exclusives...
Also imo, the fact that a Japanese eShop account can be funded by a UK (and maybe worldwide) credit/debit card and (I believe) US and PAL accounts can only be funded by cards from their own regions says to me that Nintendo enable users who wish to import from Japan...
Good times ><
@ImDiggerDan But the DS family itself didn't introduce region locking as standard, and there were hardly any DSi-only games - which I why I didn't mention it.
This makes me so mad. I'm already fed up with the whole "New 3DS" thing. I shouldn't have to buy a New 3DS just because it can play new games - and I wont. But now this? I always go back to Germany every summer. It would be nice if I could actually play games there... You people need to realize that nintendo is a company. They don't care about you, they care about your money. It's pretty sad, huh.
I very much doubt this. The percentage of gamers that would buy two or more 3DSs from different regions must be tiny. Nintendo would make more money leaving them region free and let gamers just import the games. Although I was one of those that did import a Super Famicom back in 1990/91, but those were different times when games and systems were launched light years between regions. Plus time moved more slowly when you were 14. Things are a lot different now.
Unless I'm mistaken, Nintendo do very much cater for the Japanese market much more than Sony and Microsoft. They have a very overprotective nature of gamers and they try very hard to not offend anyone, so they limit the possibilities of this by region locking.
It could also be a sales tracking issue. Having region locking gives a clearer indication what type of games gamers from different regions prefer.
Whatever the reason. It stinks.
Its not about selling consoles, its about screwing everybody outside the U.S.
Well that's dirty lol
What a strange idea: region locking a console so that people may need to buy two consoles if they travel to another region?
Don't they need to buy a separate set of games as well?
I hate region locking, but the idea that Nintendo added it to the 3DS simply to move more systems doesn't make much sense. I mean, how many people actually buy 3DS's from multiple regions? They usually cost extra to import, and they can have a language barrier. On top of that, all games for that system will have to be imported, or bought on the eshop, often at extra cost. I doubt there's much sales potential there. If Nintendo wanted to sell more systems, they'd be better off making more special editions.
Besides, while Nintendo's a hardware company, they make most of their money from games. They were even taking losses on the 3DS for a while, which means the more 3DS's someone bought the more it cost Nintendo. Their top goal is to get systems to as many people as possible, so that as many people as possible can buy their games. Having a handful of people buy multiple systems doesn't really help them with that goal.
But if they get rid of region locking they can sell for software for Japanese-only games like Dragon Quest X.
Definitely see this as a possibility. There are people importing a Japanese 3DS to play one or more games that aren't out (MH4 for instance) or importing special editions that will never come out here. There don't even have to be a lot of people doing it, even 1% of 3DS owners makes up almost half a million sales.
This guy is full of crap. While region-locking could in turn help hardware sales, that's not it's sole purpose for existing.
Region-locking has connections to ratings boards, which are government-run, so the red tape piles up as you go from region to region. As someone who worked in dvd distribution, I could tell you a lot of companies use region-locking, Sony among them.
Licensing could be another issue, because certain licenses arent allowed in certain regions. Games on Steam, XBL, and PSN have been pulled from the store completely due to licensing issues or simply expiring. Look at the PSTV, it's biggest form of distribution would be through limited licensing (like Roku and other similar devices)....and that is region-locked.
Why do you think it took 10 years of lobbying just to get the R18+ rating for Aussie game distribution? This isnt some interconnected world where all countries sing kumbaya by the fire. There are a lot of confusing policies, some which could outright negate another's, creating some sort of sadistic catch-22.
At least they're honest
I highly doubt it since I believe it more of a legal reason then a business (money) reason. With ESRB and other boards and organization to filter through, I can imagine the situation to be more complex.
HIGASHIYAMA!!!!!1!!!!11
As long as Nintendo is aware of the fans' annoyance at regional lockout, it's their choice.
Obviously, I don't think we need to point out we wouldn't even need a region-free console if only we could be sure all games are actually released in every region.
@AlexSora89 Which would be impossible even if localization was free all of a sudden because licensing issues would pop up for some games. Also certain regions get certain versions of games. For instance...I won't play Just Dance from my region, but I'll buy the Japanese one in a heartbeat.
Same with Taiko no Tatsujin. The one English outing they did had a poor song selection.
Plus as much as I hate to admit it many people are happy with playing what comes out in their region. Sony and Microsoft are region free but I don't see lots of features where people are talking about what import titles they are playing.
Don't get me wrong as an importer I HATE region locking. However looking beyond myself I can totally understand why Nintendo does it.
Lol is it just me or is that interview sketchy and weirdly worded?
Been saying this ever since the 3DS was announced as region-locked.
It should've been pretty obvious to anyone that this is their reason for region-lock. If they can get more importers to buy more consoles that they shouldn't need, Nintendo makes more money.
Glad I'm not alone on this.
EDIT: BTW, I haven't read the other comments yet, so I don't know if anyone else mentioned it yet, but Nintendo started region-locking their handhelds with the DSi. This affected games such as FIRE EMBLEM NEW MYSTERY OF THE EMBLEM HEROES OF LIGHT AND SHADOW twitch.
And while they intended to make MORE sales with the lock, it may have done the opposite and stunted their sales for a while.
Region Locking is stupid.
@ImDiggerDan
To be fair the DSi exclusives were just awful, and there were barely any, so region locking that actually affected anyone started with the 3DS...
Nah I don't buy it. Not to mention that the interview comes off as a little odd.
There is obviously a trade off. Sure region locked consoles require multiple systems if people really want the exclusive games from that region. However, most people don't have any part of that. How many people do that honestly? That question is rhetorical by the way, I know a lot of NL users do this, but I'm talking the general public. It has to be a very small number. If they were region free, then they would obviously sell more software since people are more inclined to buy a game as opposed to a game and new hardware.
For instance, if the Wii U was region free I would buy the crap out of Fatal Frame when it releases later this year. I certainly cannot afford a Japanese Wii U as well as the one I already have from NA, so there's some lost software sales potential. You could argue that Nintendo won't get all the profits from 2nd and 3rd party games, but even so, I think either decision balances itself out money-wise.
I believe it has more to do with ESRB boards, or something along those lines.
Somebody give me Higashiyama-kun's address. I'm going to have a very serious talk with him.
@ZenTurtle
It affected Fire Emblem fans who didn't have a DS Phat or a DS Lite. Fire Emblem New Mystery of the Emblem (DSi-enhanced) was never released outside of Japan, and because the game had DSi-exclusive features the game will not work on non-Japanese DSis and 3DSes.
Of course Nintendo does it to monopolise the market. Don't like it? Too bad. Xbox One became region free because bar a few exclusives most of its major games are on PS4 & vice versa. Whereas most major games that are on Nintendo's platforms are only on Nintendo so there's no alternative, you either pay up or miss out. That way they can get the most money possible out of each region. But honestly I don't actually care myself, I've got enough of a games backlog as it is & I'm earning more now than I ever have before hence I don't mind 'throwing my money' at Nintendo every now & then
Before I thought "Region Locking sucks." and this didn't change my views one bit. So yeah, I'm calling BS.
Region lock sucks! It's a selfish business model and is directly aimed at making more money. I agree with Roy on this one. I don't see any reason for it and games have to get approval in each country/region before they are approved. For example, Japan loves the over-sexualization of children (gross, but true) and many of their games are considered inappropriate for regions outside of Japan. I've had a few Nintendo reps tell me personally that Nintendo makes different hardware to accommodate these changes. Bravely Default is a classic example of how the original game from Japan was not approved in the West until clothing and costume changes were made to the children characters. People in the West don't like seeing 13 year old girls wear G-strings, sorry Hentai fans (pukes in a bucket). I just don't buy this as an excuse to make different hardware. Just make changes to the game BEFORE it ships to the different regions. If people want the Japanese version, they can buy it and pay for the shipping. Nintendo isn't allowing customers to make choices, they are making the choices for us. I bought my PS3 in South Korea but every summer I could buy new games in EB games when I was home visiting. If I take my 3DS to South Korea, it will lay on the shelf and collect dust unless I pay big shipping fees to get games. Now that my rant is over, I can honestly say "what can I do about it?" Nintendo doesn't really listen to fans that much and their financial numbers have been crappy lately. They need all the sales they can get! Region locking is here to stay, or until sales prove they don't need it. Sadly, I'll nerd rage online with you guys and then jump in line to buy a N3DS next year! Gahhhh Nintendo, you got me early and now I am hooked.
Such a tiny percentage of the console user base would ever even consider buying a new console from another region just to play one or two import games that they're missing out on. This surely is not Nintendo's logic behind region locking. It's probably more to do with their massively overzealous child protection safety ethos, it's not good for us customers...but I'm not sure they're doing it to encourage multiple console purchases.
Region locks sucks, because I would buy Tetris versus Puyo Puyo,
@Nintendofan83 I think that if Nintendo were really banking on region locking boosting sales, there would be at least a page on the Nintendo UK store saying something along the lines of: "Missing out on these great games? Buy your US/JPN console and games here." As it is, if I wanted a JPN Wii U, I'd be far more likely to get it off eBay or somewhere from which Nintendo don't really see much financial benefit.
This is just a tiny minority of dedicated gamers forgetting that they aren't at the centre of a company's sales and marketing attentions...
Oh please... how many people would actually buy a Japanese console to play import games? Even here on NintendoLife it would only be a tiny minority and i'm pretty sure that would not even offset the extra cost of implementing region locks. I sure hope this guy doesn't do any programming because his logic is seriously flawed.
@Justin83593 what? Companies are out to get my money? You're kidding! Besides, im okay with the idea of the new 3ds due to the fact that it is a beefier system. You don't have to buy it because they're not going to stop making games for the much bigger 3ds demographic. Just going to be select games made for the new 3ds that weren't possible to play on the old ones
@Mk_II you'd be surprised at the amount of people who will. We're talking about probably squeezing an extra couple of thousand 3ds'. That combined with the software sales that follow as well. I don't think that would be their only agenda for region locks but that is probably one of the main ones
Region locking is all about Piracy Control, nothing else. If there was no regional locks in place, it would be less effort to pirate a game and now every system would have access to it. Regional locking means, that a pirated game in Japan will only work in Japan, therefore limiting the damage.
Doesn't make sense as a reason. It's just Nintendo and their standard archaic anti-consumer nonsense that I'm not alone in getting utterly bored of
@chucknorrmis
I 'm still not convinced. A couple of thousand consoles will not make them do anything. Let's say 5000 consoles times 50 bucks (and they don't make 50$ per console) makes 250.000$. That's next to nothing for a multi-national company like Nintendo and certainly not a major reason for region locking.
@Jellitoe
That doesn't make sense. One of the first things hacks allow a user to do is take the region lock off. It's actually more likely to push legitimate users to hack their machine to play imports they want to buy
I don't blame Nintendo for region locking. People are too entitled, they complain about every single thing. Nintendo doesn't want to get involved with complaints about such thing as gender equality, sexual orientation, uncensored graphics, political, and religious stuff.
@chucknorrmis There are people that will no doubt. I'm one of those people but that percentage is pretty small in comparison to the entire consumer base. You would have to ether be really dedicated or only a nintendo gamer to help mitigate the costs.
Case in point. I'm an American, I'm not going to count my duplicate systems because they don't factor into this argument. I'm also excluding eshop unless they are retail.
I have a 3dsXL (219-zelda edition) and a JPN 3ds ( ice white 230). Right there that is 450 dollars and I haven't bought games yet. Most 3ds games are 40-30 bucks in America during their launch window. Most JPN 3ds games are about 45-60 during their launch window for me to import. I usually buy about 10 3ds games a year and I usually alternate regions each purchase. I'm sure you can see how expensive this can get very quickly. That is just the 3ds. I'm getting a JPN wiiu this year.
Most people are not going to do this. There is no way that Nintendo is locking systems to try to capitalize on this. It is a silly gamble.
well i bought a vita instead of a japanese 3ds. it was an easy decision.
The amount of people who actually give a **** about region locking is way too miniscule for that to possibly be the reason.
Nintendo sells more hardware by introducing new iterations so frequently (with handhelds, anyway). Region locking is more likely a combination of Nintendo's institutionalized paranoia over piracy, and its desire to discourage importing games. If the 3DS wasn't region-locked, Nintendo could have a shortage of Super Smash Bros. for 3DS carts in its home market because of overseas importers. Of course, digital downloads make this practice even more ludicrous.
Stupid, but Nintendo is the most stubborn console maker around. What a dumb reason. My sister lives in Australia & can't get many wii u games, as stores carry a very limited stock.She tried to pick up DKC Wii u this week, and no store had a copy to sell. So she ends up buying very few games, months apart, due to the poor selection. If she could get US based games, she would in a heart beat. Instead, she buys nothing. That's lost sales and over time, lost interest in the system.
That doesn't really make any sense. I'm pretty certain they do it to control certain parts of the market, specifically. If 3DS allowed region-free game cards to be ran, people would start asking for eShop support. Nintendo figures that if people are willing to buy import games, the games will ultimately do better if they are translated and actually have presence in the country.
A game that has been translated to whatever language, and has made the the appropriate moves to be localized is the best option there is, so that is the only option. Media that has gone through the localization process is basically guaranteed to do much better than just allowing imports and hoping some people import it. By the time they want the U.S, U.K, or any other places to buy their game, it will go through localization.
People should be hoping for the games to be localized; not import ability.
@Agent721
There's a nice little online store on the Wii U, named eShop. There's unlimited copies there
@SCAR392 Localization and importing are not mutually exclusive. I can hope for a game to get localized and still desire to play it in its original form.
It's used to increase hardware sales, but it's more than that. Nintendo has always been obsessed with having an iron grip on everything, and controlling importing is part of that, and region locking being a part of licensing games in regions part of that.
It doesn't change that it's an anti consumer practice.
I think the lost sales of games-that-could-have-been-importable far outweigh the earned sales of regionlocked consoles.
The only thing regionlocking DOES protect, is importing of games that WILL be released localized, but after a delay - except most of the people who import them end up buying the localized copy as well, at least among the people I know IRL.
Nothing nintendo will ever say about region locking is gonna get me to agree with it. it's an outdated practice that was used in a time when gamestores were the only option you had when buying a game. In this day and age there is no excuse to not have region free consoles.
@Ryu_Niiyama
That doesn't make any sense. If you want to import so badly, that you will do it even if the game is localized, then you should have an imported console by now.
Most of the reasoning behind why people import games, is because it's not available in their region. If you are buying even localized games as imports, then you are part of an even smaller niche than most importers to begin with. The games are still how they were originally. They are just translated with possible changes for you region, which are usually minor to non-existent.
The majority of people who could even buy the game are not part of the importing crowd, which is why localization is ultimately more important than allowing people to import.
However many more sales in hardware they are getting, I think they are losing out on game sales. I'm not shelling out for a whole new system, but I may have imported some games if not for the region lock.
@SCAR392 Not sure if I understand your comment. I have already imported consoles as I explained in a previous post. My comment to you was in reference to your "People should be hoping for the games to be localized; not import ability." statement. As I said before they aren't mutually exclusive. Localization or the demand for it (which I support since the majority of the people I game with aren't going to import a system to play a game) doesn't mitigate the demand for import ability. There are two types of importers: those that wish to play the game in its original format (or rather a game that will never be localized due to licensing/cultural reasons) or those that import solely because a game has not been released in their region--or cheaper price. Localization takes care of the latter but not the former. So region locking is still a valid concern.
TLDR: There is nothing wrong with people wanting both localization and import ability. Which is what I was saying in my previous response to you.
They're nuts if they think that people will buy multiple platforms to get around region locked software. Nintendo being stubborn as usual.
@Ryu_Niiyama
I know importing and localization are not entirely tied together, and you mixed up 2 of your reasons that are basically identical, as being to separate points. The point is that if there was enough demand to localize a game, it probably would already be there, and I have never seen a import game being cheaper than a localized one, unless it was around for years by randomness, and people are just trying to get rid of it for whatever price they can, and it's always older games.
They aren't going to waste their time localizing a game that probably won't sell in said region. Like I said in an earlier post, allowing imported cartridges would basically mean every region's eShop would have to be available on every console, and they are willing to support multiple eShops across 2 regions. The biggest difference between DS being region-free and 3DS being region-locked, is that 3DS has the eShop, as mentioned.
Being region-locked benefits their business the most, otherwise they wouldn't do it, Just think if people started importing New 3DS from Japan or Australia before it comes out in other places. They don't want that to happen, specifically because they intend for only those regions to get the system for whatever reasons they may have; the eShop being the most obvious reason.
Something people saying importing isn't big enough to boost console sales seem to be overlooking is the current official explanation, controlling content distribution. If thats a big enough problem that region-locking is needed, then it means importing is common enough for it to be an issue as well. If importing wasn't a thing you wouldn't need regional lockout to begin with.
@SCAR392
She didn't mix anything up, you did. What if you wanted to play the original, unsensored version of a game? What if you want the original voices and dialog? You can't get that from the localized version in most cases. Whats "worth" localizing is only from a financial stand-point, not quality, nor is it a full representation of the demand for it.
That doesn't benefit them either. If region-locking is to increase hardware sales then they'd actually be losing them by preventing those sales. Having multiple e-shops available shouldn't be an issue at all, all they have to do is make only 1 accessible at a time.
Its all about control for Nintendo. They have a history of being obsessed with having complete control over every single facet of the market. They want everyone and everything to go through them. The problem is, they're in no position to demand that anymore.
I don't understand region locking
I don't get, really. The games say "Only for use in ___________________', but are we talking 'bout the games, systems, or both??
@Zombie_Barioth
I didn't say that they mixed anything up. I said that they tried to pass off 1 reason into 2 by wording in differently, 2 times. I get the reason that they would buy the imports for the original dialogue, language, etc. My point was that that reasoning probably puts them into a smaller niche than most importers to begin with, which are already part of a smaller niche to begin with. Most people aren't willing to buy a game unless it's in their language and they can buy it at their own store.
Nintendo isn't region-locking 3DS to get more hardware sales. That was just some BS this guy made, because he didn't think about how the market plays out in favor of localization above importing.
It is a form of control, but if it works better for them, then I don't see what the big deal is. I don't think 3DS being region-free would benefit Nintendo as much as being region-locked, otherwise they wouldn't do it in the first place.
The only other console specifically in 3DS' market is PS Vita, and it's not doing nearly as well, so it's a non-issue, really. That's what it comes down to, pretty much.
@SCAR392
You told @Ryu_Niiyama she mixed up her 2 points together, that they're basically identical, I simply spun your wording around. They're not, she didn't split one reason into two, your lumping two similar reasons together. You do realize that not only are there games than never see the light of day outside Japan, but also not every game that does reaches all shores, right? A good part of that is cultural or license differences.
I don't mean to parrot myself, but the fact that Nintendo sees a need to use region-locking at all is proof in and of itself that enough interest in importing exists, regardless of the reason(s) for it. You don't need to restrict something that nobody does.
As for your last point, Nintendo is the only one that benefits from it. They're also the only company to still do it. You don't see the big deal in Nintendo utilizing anti-consumer practices that benefits nobody but them, but I don't see how anyone could defend it. Nobody is saying Nintendo doesn't have its reasons, they're saying those reasons are bogus. The Vita being the only alternative doesn't excuse it either, all your saying is its ok for them to exploit a near monopoly, its not. The "because we can" excuse is unacceptable.
@SCAR392
Hi! I think we will have to agree to disagree. Then again that is the fun of discourse. However, I did want to offer one final reply. I didn't mix up my points although I did tack on the price motivator to one of the types of importers because I don't import due to price (as it is more expensive for me to import) but I realized at the last second that others in different countries that can get a game in a language they can read would do that if they could.
I've acknowledged in earlier posts that those that import to play games either in their original format or that will never be localized due to licensing/cultural reasons are a smaller minority than those that do so due to lack of localization. However since I import exactly because I like certain games in Japanese (the Yakuza/Ryu ga Gatoku series in particular) and certian games I like won't ever get localized (Taiko no Tatsujin) and since I prefer a certain version (JPN Just dance over the NA version), that I know for a fact that is a valid type of importer. I've worked with Gamestop for about 4 years now (currently part time) and I've met a number of import customers (travelers of course) that often look for games to import because it is cheaper for them to buy a NA version and I've had some that can't get the game in their region but can easily read English. So I don't think in any way that I mixed any part of my reasoning up since I've either seen or am a part of the group of importers I mentioned. Neither type will disappear if localization becomes more widespread. You can easily state I should identified a third group due to pricing importers but l'd agree with you.
I'm not saying that localization or importing are tied together. However I've noticed in this thread and others you favor localization (which is cool, as I do too in addition to importing) and your posts are worded in a way that sound like you would prefer localization with importing NOT being an option. If I've misunderstood I apologize but that seems to be the tone of your posts.
I never said that Nintendo is region locking for hardware sales...as I feel it is in part due to piracy control. Piracy increases hardware sales but lowers software sales...the ds suffered from that greatly. I think that keeping the systems sandboxed by region as well the constant updates, have helped keep piracy off the 3ds. I also agree that the ratings/regional requirements also play a big part. I may not like the reason Iwata gave, but I don't think he was putting on a lot of PR spin.
I don't think Nintendo's issue is with people importing hardware from other countries to get it first. That is the behavior of a die hard or a collector. While there are a decent number of them they aren't the ones that drive the majority of sales... the mainstream public that does not care about the exclusive JPN version or the fact that they are getting the system/game later than others.
Also you are totally correct that the best type of a region free Nintendo would also be a region free eshop...though honestly it isn't required since Nintendo can easily argue that an importer bought games from outside their region. Sony allows game and global Playstation store access (sorta it takes some hoops to jump through- such as making a JPN PS ID) but you can't play a bluray from outside your region on their system. Which is part of the reason why they put the region numbering on their games...even though it technically doesn't matter. Sony will quickly tell you you bought a movie from outside your region and you are SOL...Nintendo could do the same for the eshop. Nintendo is in no way obligated to create a global eshop just because they allow cartridges to be used from any region.
The entire point of my response to you was simply: Localization is useful, Importing is useful. Having one will not mitigate the need for the other. So people should champion/request/whatever both.
Also, you are welcome to use female pronouns when referring to me. I'm a woman. I noticed you used "They" when you spoke to Zombie Bairoth.
I think I've addressed most of your response. However I have to go to work so while this will be my last response since there is no point in debating something neither of us can change I hope I offered a suitable final response. Thanks! This was fun! Please note there is no sarcasm in my response.
@hybridseed While I'm also an owner of a Japanese 3DS with E.X. Troopers + Gundam the 3D Battle and also appreciate that Nintendo's store supports English debit cards, they missed out on the chance for me to both own a system earlier as not being able to ever own all of the games you could want even if you have the money is a huge miss and the chance of me buying limited edition 3DS from all regions since I need to gauge whether that American, Japanese or European library is actually worth my time.
To date, I have only have one 3DS (bought in 2013 even) and would have jumped on earlier, bought some more limited edition systems and more games if I could be certain that my games will work.
If importers are a minority, importers who buy multiple systems despite their games only running on one/few of them are a greater minority.
Better lay off the Stupid-Pills, mr Roy Ozaki.
I lived in New Zealand for two years and got my 3DS there. When I moved back to the Philippines a year ago, I found out that no retailers sell PAL region games, so it was either I buy a new console or import games which would cost a poopoodoodoocacapoopledoople load of money because of customs. I refused to do both and decided that I'm gonna stop supporting Nintendo until they abolish this region-locking crap. Since then, I've spent my money on a PS3, a PS Vita and a poopoodoodoocacapoopledoople ton of games. So much money that could've been given to Nintendo... but since they're such controlling ducks with their consumers, I gave it all to Sony.
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