46w ago - This weekend Atlus has confirmed that Persona 4 Arena will indeed be the first PS3 region-locked video game for the PlayStation 3 entertainment system.

Up until now, all games (not Blu-ray movies) have been region-free on the PS3, however, the Atlus representative stated to EGM that "Persona 4 Arena will be region-locked in all territories on both PS3 and 360."

Sony developers have been able to region-lock PlayStation 3 games since PS3 Firmware update 3.30, although publishers didn't utilize the option until the PS3 3.50+ SDK.

From Atlus Staffer lol, forums via Forum to quote: "Sorry for the delayed confirmation, but yes, the PS3 version game will be region-locked. I certainly can't offer details as to why, but there might be an official response at some point.

To reiterate, our version of the game works for the North and South America regions. Also keep in mind that both the NA and JP versions have both English and Japanese text/voice options, making them nearly identical. I'm unsure of what the case will be for the EU version."

To quote from the official Press Release: Friends of...

119w ago - Update: Dutch site PS3Clan.nl has now confirmed that it is indeed possible to share your DC Universe Online PS3 disc with a friend and play the game for free, noting simply that both users will need to pay the subscription fee.

While not as bad as previous rumors, today LazyGamer.net (linked above) reports that Sony has confirmed DC Universe Online PS3 discs are locked to a single PSN account connected to their first player.

Essentially what this means is when you buy and play DC Universe Online, your PSN account will be automatically tied with that specific PlayStation 3 game disc.

If other PSN accounts try to play the game using that disc, they will be denied. Only you, the first player, will be able to play it.

To quote: "We discovered that DC Universe becomes linked to your account when you activate it, destroying your ability to sell it, trade it or rent it.

The folks at SOE were very quick to respond to our enquiry, and they had the following to say:

"Once the PSN key has been consumed with a disk it cannot be resold/replayed with the second user adding...

189w ago - Recently PS3Blog.net (linked above) has compiled a list of locked game saves on the PS3 console. Although most PS3 game saves are not locked to the console itself, the exceptions to this rule are detailed below.

The list is derived from a few smaller ones including those on Eurogamer and Loot-Ninja, and if anyone here wishes to add to it feel free to do so and you will be +Rep'd!

Locked PS3 Game Saves:

• 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand
• Assassins Creed 2
• Batman: Arkham Asylum
• Bomberman Ultra
• Brain Challenge
• Burnout Paradise
• Call of Duty: World at War (mixed reports)
• Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
• Crash Commando
• Dark Mist
• Demons Souls
• DJ Hero
• Dragonball Z Burst Limit
• The Eye Of Judgment
• Fat Princess
• Fight Night Round 4
• Godfather 2
• Guitar Hero: Metallica
• Guitar Hero World Tour
• Heavy Rain
• High Velocity Bowling
• Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights
• Killzone 2
• LocoRoco Cocoreccho!
• Lost Planet: Extreme...

218w ago - Just logged in today with one of my alt accounts and it is no longer locked to the account that originally purchased it.

This ticked me off so much when I originally bought it from the PlayStation Store that I never bought a PSN version of any game due to not wanting to get burnt again by Sony.

Why would I buy a game if my whole family can't play it on there own accounts?

I'm sure the original account must be present on the console your playing on but I can't confirm this because my wife is playing on her account at the moment. lol

Well thumbs up to Sony for finally getting rid of this stupid restriction.

Regards,
Krack3n

242w ago - After numerous rumors since it's initial announcement, today Nintendo has issued a statement to CVG to clarify the confusion over the region-based restrictions on the new DSi.

To quote: "DSi software (software that is only compatible with DSi) is region locked, eg: European DSi software can only be played on European DSi consoles," a Nintendo spokesperson has told CVG.

They confirmed that this means BOTH download-able games and future DSi-only cartridge-based games would be region locked.

"Nintendo DS software however is region free so you can play any DS software on DSi from any region. You can also browse the Internet on your DSi wherever you are in the world and exchange your photos with friends from around the world."

This follows a statement from NOA exec VP Cammie Dunanway saying: "I believe that just as you can currently buy a DS in Japan and use it here in the U.S., that you should be able to do that with DSi," as we reported this morning.

Nintendo went on to explain to CVG: "DSi is region locked because DSi embeds net communication functionality within itself and we are intending to provide net services specifically tailored for each region. Also...