Region Enforcements?

[Korgoth]

Hoping to make a bigger splash in Japan with the Xbox 360 than they did with the original Xbox, Microsoft announced that over 100 Japanese-targeted games are in development. Those of you who like Japanese RPGs, fighting games and other Japanese-style titles will be happy to know that we'll likely see more Japanese-developed games than we did with the original Xbox as well. However, Maruyama did say there will be region enforcements for games on the X360, so importing games from region to region may be difficult.

Can anyone explain to me, why exactly they make games region specific and put lock outs in them to prevent you from importing them? Whats the purpose of this? Other than to keep you from some awesome, uniques play experiences that otherwise woudl never come to your region anyway?

 

[Cole]

It's probably not Microsofts choice. Some developers will keep games limited into where they are. This could be not wanting to redo it in several langauges etc...

Anyway, that wont stop Microsoft from trying to extend into Japan.

 

[Korgoth]

Well I mean, microsoft isn't the first to do this, this goes way back. I just don't understand why they have these lockouts. I mean whats wrong with me importing a japanese language game if I really want to play it? I just don't understand it

 

[Sprafa]

This started with movies were moviemakers decided that because of the delay in the internation releases it would be better to region-lock DVDs so a person from Europe let's say can't import a DVD from the US while the movie is still being shown at theaters in Europe... why this made into games i have no idea

 

[$kelet0r]

its a half assed attempt to stop international piracy
stupid really
don't copy that floppy :E