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Gaming: PSP's games support region-locking
Posted on Dec 12, 2004 - 09:59 PM by zmcnulty
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Topic: Sony
Category: Gaming
Technorati: Linking Blogs

We're about 98% sure the PSP does indeed have support for region-locked games.

Sorry, everyone. Details inside.

We reported on Friday about something pecuilar on PSP software packaging. If you missed it, it's here. Basically, a "2" icon appears on the packaging for Namco's "Ridge Racers" and other PSP software.

Some speculation into the icon led to mostly dead ends, as Sony hasn't officially announced anything regarding this issue.

On the PSP unit's packaging, the following line (outlined in an obnoxious red color) appears:

That translates as "this unit can playback 'UMD' with region codes '2' and 'ALL.'"

I know you're thinking "well that doesn't mean anything because they could just be talking about movies," but when you look at the packaging on Ridge Racers, it becomes clear that Ridge Racers uses Region "2" and not Region "ALL."

We're 98% sure of this, because there is still a small chance that the "2" on depicted on the Ridge Racers packaging and the "2" referred to on the PSP's packaging are unrelated.

A very, very, small chance.

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Comments (must be registered to post)
Anonymous 13.12.04, 02:45	well japana dn the uk are the same region code anyway
Anonymous 13.12.04, 04:43	theres no guarantee they will follow DVD region codes, so who knows.
sar7501 13.12.04, 04:55	I think it's pretty much a certainty that Sony will obey the DVD region codes for movies. I seem to recall this was one of the conditions imposed on them by Sony Pictures. As for games, there's still a possibility that they will be region-free but, if that's the case, why put the region code icons on the boxes in the first place??
Anonymous 13.12.04, 13:01	It could just be something odd about first run packaging. I'm not sure if anyone else remembers this, but the original Ridge Racer for the PSX said "NOT FOR RESALE" across the top because it was originally planned for it to be packed in with the system. As a graphic designer myself, I have had to put information on boxes that ends up being totally wrong, but then again, it may be the truth.
Anonymous 13.12.04, 19:42	wtf? i thought the uk use a region code that was specific to ONLY the uk? Like with there VHS tapes and cds?
struppi 14.12.04, 12:22	Why would they make the disc region discovery code different than in the PS2? When I insert a Japanese PS2 game into my US PS2, it acts like I've just inserted a blank disc (it immediately returns to the browser menu). Same when I insert a US PS2 game in my Japanese PS2. I have some PS2 games from the near east region, they also fail on both boxes. I don't see why Sony would choose to do things any differently with the PSP. We'll just have to wait for the PSP mod kits to arrive..:)
Anonymous 14.12.04, 13:56	I have the same thing as struppi. We thought about doing a mod until we got a US one for free. Now we have 2, one that plays our japanese games and movies from when we had it in japan. And the other is for the games that we buy here Most people think its insane we have two but it works. I agree, I doubt that sony will change the way they do it.
Anonymous 14.12.04, 17:00	Gamespot and tech officer masa chatani just had a Q&A session: GS: Why did you choose to make the system region-free for games? MC: Technically, the PSP does have a region mechanism in it, but, for now we decided to have all region discs work on all systems. This is because people who travel around the world may want to pick up games in different territories. However, each game will only be tested for that specific region and the hardware available in that market, so, technically, not every game may work.
Anonymous 15.12.04, 15:40	I think that this is probably the biggest mistake that Sony will ever make with the PSP. My reasoning for this comes from the fact that the PSP is a handheld console, meaning that a substantial sector of its market will be overseas travelers (it was said that one of the reasons for the success of the Nintendo Gameboy is that it was popular amongst frequent travelers, such as business men, who found it to be a very convenient form of entertainment with its games available everywhere). The fact that a PSP owner will only be able to buy a game from his/her system's original region only will be extremely limiting for those traveling overseas and wishing to buy a new game for their system (they will either have to go to an import shop and pay a large some of money or travel back to the PSP’s country of purchase to get a game a luxury that some can not afford). I think that Nintendo has shown their experience with handheld consoles by avoiding any type of region blocking for their handheld consoles. This and the long battery life of the DS could mean that the long run the PSP would have a very difficult time trying to compete to with its more practical rival. Note that a reason for the success of the Gameboy was not the its great graphics or amazing specs (the Sega Game Gear had the edge of color and power when it competed with the Gameboy years ago) but its amazing collection of games and convenience to users.
Anonymous 30.01.05, 21:44	Re DS vs PSP: Come on , there is no comparison, I laugh at the DS ;)
Anonymous 31.01.05, 21:08	who can i chnge color for PSP
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