Why are people reluctant to import a Jap 360

[Kollision]

Jesus, talk about flogging a dead horse. Pretty sure the PS2 was more region locked than the 360.

Exactly!
This has been going on for several video game generations already, I wonder if people were so eager to argue about it back then.
But then again, modding was much more simple, I guess

[Some-Mist]

No, I don't. I want a region-free 360, to play games from all regions of the globalized world we live in.

the beautiful thing is that, 99% of US games are region-free - I've only bought 2 games that ended up being locked.

But then again, I can see your concern because had I not owned a US360 too, I wouldn't be able to play either game.

Unfortunately, there isn't a safe way to have a region-free console and online access. In the end, "sticking-it-to-the-man" and simply purchasing a J360 thinking you're "rewarding" Microsoft for region-locking is pretty hilarious in itself. But I hope it works (lolol) for everyone's sake because region-locking is dumb.

[HydrogLox]

No doubt that'll be much cheaper to buy for than Japanese 360 shmup releases.

Better not be looking to pick up a PSX copy of "Zanac X Zanac", "Gaia Seed", "Donpachi", "Dodonpachi" or "Toaplan Shooting Battle" then. Meanwhile some of them can be had for $6 off of PSN for PS3, PSV and PSP.

I have personally imported every single 360 shmup. A 360 with RGH is not a license to pirate.

This is were things get a bit dodgy. The purpose of an RGH-unit is to run unsigned code. The primary use of running unsigned code it to run pirated software. It is an untenable position to simultaneously rally against pirating and sing the praises of RGH-units. You personally may have the integrity to only run legitimate software but you are not going to convince me that the community that popularizes and proliferates that technology shares your conviction.

The point is that if the will of the corporation is sacrosanct to you, then you shouldn't import an Xbox 360 either. You should instead refrain altogether from buying games not released in your region, because that's the whole point of region-locking.

Maybe in protest to Microsoft's region-locking you should neither purchase or use anything with Microsoft's logo on it ... not that Microsoft will ever notice.

[TransatlanticFoe]

No doubt that'll be much cheaper to buy for than Japanese 360 shmup releases.

Better not be looking to pick up a PSX copy of "Zanac X Zanac", "Gaia Seed", "Donpachi", "Dodonpachi" or "Toaplan Shooting Battle" then. Meanwhile some of them can be had for $6 off of PSN for PS3, PSV and PSP.

Nope, there's nothing I've seen non-PAL that I haven't already got for the Saturn at a reasonable price. Digital downloads don't interest me where a physical release exists - may as well emulate it. A much better option than buying a PS3, seeing as I bought a gaming PC for all my current gen needs.

[Ganelon]

Pretty sure the PS2 was more region locked than the 360.

Nope, PS2 protection was easily defeated by a Swap Magic and fliptop or slide card (not even needed for slims) for $20. 360 is certainly easier to pirate though...

[AweOfShe]

I've had my Japanese 360 since 2007, and I can say that I definitely do not regret the $500+ (after shipping and customs) I threw on it.

It has access to more games than the other region 360s. English-US/PAL version of a game I wanted locked? No problem, just get the English-Asia version. Never felt like I was jumping through hoops, 'cause I did the majority of my game shopping on Play-Asia back then anyways.

I definitely recommend it over any other region. The extra money needed to get one would have just probably been used on a game or two that would probably just be sitting on a backlog shelf, not being played anyways.

[Skykid]

Pretty sure the PS2 was more region locked than the 360.

Nope, PS2 protection was easily defeated by a Swap Magic and fliptop or slide card (not even needed for slims) for $20. 360 is certainly easier to pirate though...

It was a discussion from the corporate perspective.

It seems MS and Nintendo are constantly vilified for region locking, but since PS3 ditched it (can't say I don't thoroughly approve) suddenly all past sins are null. I don't see how that tallies. There are hundreds more region free discs floating around in the 360 catalog than the zero RF discs for PSX/PS2, so it's not all bad.

A few of them happen to be amazing shmups, to boot!

[TrevHead (TVR)]

I get the vibe that you think you're righting some wrong, and I think that's just the wrong mentality entirely.

Damn it now you've made me feel bad for mentioning modding

But I look at it this way, it's very doubtful I'll buy a J360 in the future so I'd rather throw some money CAVE, MOSS etc way rather me not bothering and just emulating it years from now.

Anyway I think ppl are forgetting the best reason to go legit, that is to have access to the leaderboards, those replays are worth their weight in gold as a teaching tool. If it ever becomes likely they will be shut down, we will have to do something to preserve the best ones. Whose servers are those replays likely to be on? If it's the devs then that makes them more likely to vanish out of the blue. I think I'm gonna download a few to my HD just for safe keeping.

[xgunnBlaze]

Pretty sure the PS2 was more region locked than the 360.

Nope, PS2 protection was easily defeated by a Swap Magic and fliptop or slide card (not even needed for slims) for $20. 360 is certainly easier to pirate though...

It was a discussion from the corporate perspective.

It seems MS and Nintendo are constantly vilified for region locking, but since PS3 ditched it (can't say I don't thoroughly approve) suddenly all past sins are null. I don't see how that tallies. There are hundreds more region free discs floating around in the 360 catalog than the zero RF discs for PSX/PS2, so it's not all bad.

A few of them happen to be amazing shmups, to boot!

It's not that all sins are null, it's that they are not doing it right now. Do you want people to curse Sony for making PS2 region locked in the past rather than celebrate the fact that they ditched region locking on PS3? That would make no sense at all.

[Marc]

You want a JP region 360.

No, I don't. I want a region-free 360, to play games from all regions of the globalized world we live in.

e: YOU might be the wrong term, I don't know if you specifically want one, but it's the stance you're taking about it that bugs me.

And what stance is that? The stance to not put up with corporate anti-consumer bullshit or the stance that I own the things I purchase and am free to do with them as I please in my own four walls?

"Not for sale and use outside of Japan"
I hope for the sake of your troubled conscience that you are abiding by this.

Sorry, but... he's right.

[HydrogLox]

As found in Mushihimesama Futari (Xbox 360), the standard version of which Cave enabled for all regions:

This game is for use in Japan only. Sales, export, or operation outside this country may be construed as copyright and trademark infringement. Violators are subject to severe penalties and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. 2009/9/18 Xbox360 Arrange Ver

Is this confused or what?

[Jeneki]

This game is for use in Japan only. Sales, export, or operation outside this country may be construed as copyright and trademark infringement. Violators are subject to severe penalties and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. 2009/9/18 Xbox360 Arrange Ver

If it's not the full extent of the JAM, it's not enforceable.

Cave: "Exporters about to be ... jammed!"

Play-Asia: "There's only one company who would dare give me the raspberry!"

[Skykid]

It's not that all sins are null, it's that they are not doing it right now. Do you want people to curse Sony for making PS2 region locked in the past rather than celebrate the fact that they ditched region locking on PS3? That would make no sense at all.

Er, no. Of course not, I wasn't saying that at all. I get the impression you floated into the discussion halfway, which I really don't appreciate, so let's just leave it there.

[MauJustice]

The other issue is getting both XBL gold and point cards.

[AntiFritz]

Aren't xbl gold cards region free?

[MauJustice]

Aren't xbl gold cards region free?

You're right, they are.

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... +to+owning

Kind of a bummer to see that Games on Demand is unavailable.

[gray117]

Cost is a factor sure...

But I think no.1 is the hassle of importing in general. Postage, time, insurance, provider... even if people can afford, they don't want to get ripped off and so start comparing all kinds of sources - it just all fcks people off, and it is a stupid problem to have these days on the face of it ... And it just generates a kind of backlash that adds to the resistance to buy into that [most likely second] box.

Compared to limited editions, or whatever exclusive box set, these present themselves as a bonus, an extra or secret, a means to show your support... Not something you've been forced to buy in order that you can buy something else to play... Assuming you're into LEs etc. of course

[Never_Scurred]

I was happy when Ketsui was announced, but reluctant to pull the trigger on importing an 360 as I was unsure if we would get any more Cave love and Ketsui was (at the time) the only real desirable title. Once MMP/PS was released, I cashed the fuck out on an asia region 360 S-model (jp's were backordered because of the tsunami/earthquake madness) and a grip of shmups. For the few region-locked titles I own (that haven't been localized), it was worth the investment.
Region-locked titles:
Ketsui
DFK: Black Label
DOJ: BLEX
SDOJ (preordered)
Mushi 1.5
TGM: Ace

Also, i'm not the kind of person that HAS to own a console right away, nor am I the type to splash money on every new triple-A game that comes out, so it was pretty easy for me to import (and really, it didn't cost THAT much). I only really play shmups and Tetris these days. The only hassle I remember was the limited availability of jp consoles and having to wait an extra week for a couple games because of the disaster in Japan.

[Strider77]

Hassle/price. And a Japanese 360 is also region-locked, which means you'll still need a secondary 360 for domestic releases.

Must US releases aren't locked. I haven't ever encountered a US game that was locked. If it was I just got the asian version what cost the same as a domestic release.

[Skyline]

Cost was an initial stopping point for me, aside from the pre-requisite that said console had to be Jasper or newer. Wasn't taking the chance with an older, more failure-prone console. The price was right for the one I did get, from someone on these boards, no less (vercimber - thanks again, by the way, it's getting a lot of love in it's new home!)

[DQuick]

Hassle/price. And a Japanese 360 is also region-locked, which means you'll still need a secondary 360 for domestic releases.

Must US releases aren't locked. I haven't ever encountered a US game that was locked. If it was I just got the asian version what cost the same as a domestic release.

I found the same thing with PAL games innitially. When I got my asian 360 I found only 4 games I owned wourldn't work on it, and most of those were games released close to the the consoles release. I have however noticed recently that the number of region locked releases has increased considerably to the point where I actually had to get my PAL console out of the closet Seems region protection, especially in the PAL regions is making a comeback.