Region locking discussion thread

[Elixir]

Since I'm sick of reading about this in every new thread, and since it's completely unrelated to the thread and has nothing to do with the game, please redirect all region locking discussion here.

It's evident that making Futari region free didn't make a scrap of difference so I don't know what complaining about in this forum will achieve, but after all, people love making suggestions that won't go anywhere.

I'd like to propose that all future thread derailment over region locking gets merged in here too. Just so we can keep it all together. When I want to read about Galuda 2.. I want to read about Galuda 2, not whether it's being localized or region free.

[lgb]

region locking is a great idea because it pisses off certain groups of westerners so easily, HAHA FUNNY WESTERNERS PEOPLE

[Dragoforce]

I bought my first imported console when I was 10 so I fail to see the problem.

[EOJ]

It's evident that making Futari region free didn't make a scrap of difference

"Difference" in regard to what? It was never intended to see if they should make future games region free. It was a test to see if there was enough foreign interest to localize the games in other regions. People really need to re-read the original Kotaku interview with Asada (linked below), as it says this clear as day. It's getting all twisted into something it never was (i.e. "If enough people buy Futari, future Cave ports may also be region free! It's in the Kotaku article!"). In all likelihood Espgaluda II won't be region free (the fact it hasn't been announced as region free by now pretty much seals the deal on this). It could, however, get a US release later on, like Deathsmiles.

http://kotaku.com/5368190/bullet-hell-s ... x-360-game

[Elixir]

It's evident that making Futari region free didn't make a scrap of difference

"Difference" in regard to what? It was never intended to see if they should make future games region free. It was a test to see if there was enough foreign interest to localize the games in other regions. People really need to re-read the original Kotaku interview with Asada (linked below), as it says this clear as day. It's getting all twisted into something it never was (i.e. "If enough people buy Futari, future Cave ports may also be region free! It's in the Kotaku article!"). In all likelihood Espgaluda II won't be region free (the fact it hasn't been announced as region free by now pretty much seals the deal on this). It could, however, get a US release later on, like Deathsmiles.

http://kotaku.com/5368190/bullet-hell-s ... x-360-game

Making it region free didn't really do anything, sales wise. It solds below that of DS, which was region locked, right? So what influence does making it region free have for future titles? The article says, basically, "buy Futari because it will influence whether or not future Cave games [Galuda 2] will be region free", and since it sold below that of a region locked game, it can't have been very effective.

[EOJ]

The article says, basically, "buy Futari because it will influence whether or not future Cave games [Galuda 2] will be region free",

Wow, you still haven't read the article? I'll help you out by cutting and pasting the relevant section here. And I quote (note the part underlined in bold):
--
"By making Mushihime-sama Futari region-free, what we're doing is measuring the amount of overseas users," Asada explained. And if you care about your Cave shooters, it's probably a good idea to import a copy. Or two.

"This will have a direct impact on whether Espgaluda II and other titles will be localized for America," Asada warned us. "So it's probably a good idea to pick it up!"
--
You will note he said LOCALIZED not REGION FREE.

[emphatic]

I support this thread with all my heart. Please make a new thread with "Time estimates for games shipping from Asia" so all that buffoonery can get the hell outta the what's actually on topic yet consists of somewhere near the 60% mark of the total threads at best.

[Acid King]

Please make a new thread with "Time estimates for games shipping from Asia" so all that buffoonery can get the hell outta the what's actually on topic yet consists of somewhere near the 60% mark of the total threads at best.

Second.

[Elixir]

The article says, basically, "buy Futari because it will influence whether or not future Cave games [Galuda 2] will be region free",

Wow, you still haven't read the article? I'll help you out by cutting and pasting the relevant section here. And I quote (note the part underlined in bold):
--
"By making Mushihime-sama Futari region-free, what we're doing is measuring the amount of overseas users," Asada explained. And if you care about your Cave shooters, it's probably a good idea to import a copy. Or two.

"This will have a direct impact on whether Espgaluda II and other titles will be localized for America," Asada warned us. "So it's probably a good idea to pick it up!"
--
You will note he said LOCALIZED not REGION FREE.

...again, Futari sold below that of DS, which was region locked to JP-only. I don't know how they're going to measure the amount of imports (judging by mygamercard.com, perhaps a maximum of 400) but it didn't sell well in comparison. Let's say it was localized by Aksys. Reviews will slaughter it for being "too hard" or having "too many menus" or "for looking like absolute sewage on an LCD or HDTV". It might sell a thousand or two before hitting bargain bins like Senko did. By that time they would no longer be making any profit from making them. But I don't know, it's too early to tell if it will be localized. If it is being thought of, this would explain the huge probability of Galuda 2 being region locked.

Another thing. I hope this doesn't get "localized". This screws out anyone that isn't in America/Canada, meaning all PAL regions. At least things being region free solves that problem as well. This screws over all the people here who only own PAL 360s, or those who have only JP consoles (like myself) that would like to support a localization.

[Taylor]

This topic coming up every game thread would be bearable if it didn’t go through the same process of posts, discussion and theory as if all the other threads hadn't happened each time. We should know why region locking takes place (approval processes), and it's not because publishers haven't thought through the process of selling games enough.

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

I don't understand how they can get away with portables, tho. Don't portable games go through similar rating systems? How about the PS3?

I think it's unreasonable to tell people to not post about a feature they want in a game in the game's thread. They are still talking about the game. I personally want all games that I want to be region free so I don't have to buy an extra system to play them.

I can't stand the current downloadable games trend, but I don't go around telling people not to talk about it except in the thread I want them to or petition a game to become downloadable.

[EOJ]

The article says, basically, "buy Futari because it will influence whether or not future Cave games [Galuda 2] will be region free",

Wow, you still haven't read the article? I'll help you out by cutting and pasting the relevant section here. And I quote (note the part underlined in bold):
--
"By making Mushihime-sama Futari region-free, what we're doing is measuring the amount of overseas users," Asada explained. And if you care about your Cave shooters, it's probably a good idea to import a copy. Or two.

"This will have a direct impact on whether Espgaluda II and other titles will be localized for America," Asada warned us. "So it's probably a good idea to pick it up!"
--
You will note he said LOCALIZED not REGION FREE.

Futari sold below that of DS, which was region locked to JP-only.

This is correct of course, but unfortunately it and the rest of your post is completely irrelevant to my post you quoted, as anyone can clearly see. Perhaps you were trying to quote someone else's post and accidentally quoted mine?

[Damocles]

Who still gives two shits about localization or a game being region-free? I got into the game relatively late with shmup importing, starting with the PS2 ports of Espy and DDP-DOJ and even then I was aware that if you wanted the good shit you had to have a JP console or mod. Did I miss an elusive period between the PS2 and 360 where region locking disapeared and that became the norm?

It would be nice to have only one 360, mostly because I rent games and can't always check region compatability at the store, but I don't see it happening (this console cycle) and don't much care.

[Elixir]

This is correct of course, but unfortunately it and the rest of your post is completely irrelevant to my post you quoted, as anyone can clearly see. Perhaps you were trying to quote someone else's post and accidentally quoted mine?

I "clearly see" you trying to disregard my post, which was a direct response. I'm trying to explain that a US-only localization isn't worthwhile, and because Futari was meant to be a direct influence on this, a localization seems unlikely.

Who still gives two shits about localization or a game being region-free? I got into the game relatively late with shmup importing, starting with the PS2 ports of Espy and DDP-DOJ and even then I was aware that if you wanted the good shit you had to have a JP console or mod. Did I miss an elusive period between the PS2 and 360 where region locking disapeared and that became the norm?

It would be nice to have only one 360, mostly because I rent games and can't always check region compatability at the store, but I don't see it happening (this console cycle) and don't much care.

Last generation we didn't have consoles that were region free by default (PS3) or could possibly be region free if decided on (360).

I think I'll write Asada a letter in Japanese, explaining to the best of my ability why we don't want a US-only localization of any port. I can understand JP-only releases--because their intended audience is Japan only and this is where the core fanbase is--but to localize something from that audience to US-only is just pointless. There's obviously more shmup fans worldwide in comparison to just the US.

[adversity1]

It might sell a thousand or two before hitting bargain bins like Senko did. By that time they would no longer be making any profit from making them.

LOL, so now Deathsmiles is of the same quality as Senko?

[Elixir]

I never said that and I never compared them. You can't as they're completely different games. Quality isn't the issue here because that won't get looked at, but the $40 dollar price tag will be. The fact that it's a full 2D game "that should be on XBLA" will be, and the 1400 point DLC on top of that. How many 360 games have been released outside of Japan that are 2D? RFA, which was praised for quantity over quality for a low price, and Raiden 4, which had all of the complaints above including DLC.

Senko is just one example of a JP-to-US game that sold poorly.

[adversity1]

Anyone have reliable Raiden IV figures for the US incidentally?

[Skykid]

Please make a new thread with "Time estimates for games shipping from Asia" so all that buffoonery can get the hell outta the what's actually on topic yet consists of somewhere near the 60% mark of the total threads at best.

Second.

Where were you guys to back me up when I brought that issue up in the original Futari 1.5 thread? I got noob attacked!

[emphatic]

Please make a new thread with "Time estimates for games shipping from Asia" so all that buffoonery can get the hell outta the what's actually on topic yet consists of somewhere near the 60% mark of the total threads at best.

Second.

Where were you guys to back me up when I brought that issue up in the original Futari 1.5 thread? I got noob attacked!

Watching you dance, while eating popcorn of course.

[Skykid]

Watching you dance, while eating popcorn of course.

As I guessed...

[neorichieb1971]

I don't buy Cave games on consoles anymore because A) I have a 16:9 TV now and it looks like ass with its 4:3 into 16:9 B) They chose 360 and I'm not buying a console for 2 games C) They could have chosen PS3 which I do have which is region free.

I'd rather buy the £400 arcade game and play it the way God intended.

[Acid King]

Please make a new thread with "Time estimates for games shipping from Asia" so all that buffoonery can get the hell outta the what's actually on topic yet consists of somewhere near the 60% mark of the total threads at best.

Second.

Where were you guys to back me up when I brought that issue up in the original Futari 1.5 thread? I got noob attacked!

Well, I do drink a lot.

[EPS21]

I just hope when and if Cave localizes some of their games, there won't be any dubbed over voices in English. Given the fact these games won't be huge sellers over here, it'll be bound for some "quality" VA. Or at least have the decency to include dual-audio. But most likely, maybe just subtitles (I wonder where they'd place those if someone was playing a vert like futari in full tate mode...).

[Acid King]

I think the thing that's getting glossed over here in the discussion over region locking and what not, is Microsoft's minimal print requirement in the States. I'd be willing to bet that that's a bigger roadblock to niche releases coming to the states than anything, especially shooters. Maybe if developers were allowed to print 10 or 15 thousand copies instead of 50 they'd be less apprehensive about localizing games like this and selling them at full price, especially considering how little text there is to translate.

[Rob]

Who still gives two shits about localization or a game being region-free?

It's funny when people cry about their second 360 being completely useless.

[jonny5]

I'd rather buy the £400 arcade game and play it the way God intended.

^this.....minus the god part

[NR777]

Anyone have reliable Raiden IV figures for the US incidentally?

Though I am aware of the fact the VGChartz is not a very reliable source, they have domestic US sales at around 60K. If this data is correct, then Raiden IV definitely sold more than the minimum required print run. The problem, though, is that outside of Japan Cave's games have next to no name recognition. Almost anyone can hear you say "Raiden" and know what you're talking about. DoDonPachi? Deathsmiles? Not so much.

[iatneH]

Almost anyone can hear you say "Raiden" and know what you're talking about.

Yeah, that's the dude from Mortal Kombat, right? I played that game on PS2 when I was a kid!

I just suspect the circle of people who know (and know it's not a sequel to Ikaruga) is probably smaller than we all like to think.

[NR777]

Yeah, that's the dude from Mortal Kombat, right? I played that game on PS2 when I was a kid!

I just suspect the circle of people who know (and know it's not a sequel to Ikaruga) is probably smaller than we all like to think.

Every time I've mentioned Raiden (the game) to my friends, most of whom I would not call hardcore gamers, they've known what I've been talking about and there was no mention of Mortal Kombat. Not calling my results the norm, though.

[Acid King]

Yeah, that's the dude from Mortal Kombat, right? I played that game on PS2 when I was a kid!

I just suspect the circle of people who know (and know it's not a sequel to Ikaruga) is probably smaller than we all like to think.

I think there's a pretty big section of gamers that would recognize it. There are a lot of people in their mid-20's and later who actually remember going to arcades and would recognize the game, if not the name. The toothpaste laser is a pretty memorable weapon.