Play-Asia suspends Euro Sony imports

Another import store has confirmed to GameSpot that it will no longer be offering Sony products to European customers.

The future of another major game import company based in Hong Kong is in doubt as Play-Asia.com has put a stop to a large number of orders "for the time being."

Last week saw the demise of Lik-Sang, as it announced it would close after losing a lawsuit to Sony over the legality of importing Japanese PSPs to the European Union. Sony commented that it would be moving to block all "grey importing" of its products, including the PlayStation 3 console, to the European Union.

Other similar companies have so far maintained silence over their plans, but today another major importer, Play-Asia.com, announced it will not be shipping Sony goods to certain territories, including the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

A spokesperson for Play-Asia.com issued a statement today stating simply: "For the time being we are not offering any PSP/PS3 consoles, software, and first party accessories to selected territories, including some parts of Europe. Apart from this [confirmation], we are sorry, but we would not like to further comment on this issue."

103 Comments

  • burbruee

    Posted Oct 30, 2009 1:41 pm PT

    It's been 3 years. And still no imports to Europe. =/
    There's some really good games in japan which I would like to buy and support the developers, and I won't be able to..

  • Neolucifer999

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 6:38 am PT

    i'll try getting a US ps3 between january/feb ...
    Hell even if i must i'll diligently wait the crappy march euro release .... only if the ban is lifted once the european ps3 is released , so those who still wants get us consoles...
    I dont plan on constantly doing maintenance on my old and tired ps2 .. i dont plan on buying another one , ps2 emu is still quite shaky , and i still plan on playing my US ps2 games on ps3 ....

    And loosely based on that subjects ... that is what i dont like with you gamespot , ign , 1up , gamespy or whatever , guys ...
    You are basically PR guys , without guts and actually asking annoying , and really technical stuff ...
    How about acting like journalists , instead of just being fed pre hashed answers from constructors and devs ... might as well read news from sony , microsoft and nintendo's sites ...

    On the subject of ps3 alone .. it took almost a year for you guys to tell us players that PS2 games would be restricted .. before it was just a laconic "ps3 games wont be region coded , and ps3 is ps2 compatible" ...
    On that same subject , why has no one even asked yet , why are ps2 games still region coded on ps3 , given the new policy with ps3 ones ? If its a ps2 design or software issue .. why not just create a software region selector , even limited in numbers of region changes ? Or why not propose and sell from the go , or in the future , a solution to play import ps1/ps2 games ?

    I realize that to most people the subject doesnt matter , but to a not so negligeable part of us it does ... import gamers have always been around , and hopefully arent going anywhere ....
    i'm getting horribly lenghty , but lets take the example of a Xenosaga euro fan ... what precisely are his choices so far ? He can export the 3 games , or he can instead by Xenosaga 2 euro version (yea no xenosaga 1 ever in europe , but instead a "nice" cutscenes dvd) and probably never get XS3 ....
    What about all those games that never leaves japan ? How else would a Fan of the "tales of" games ever be statisfied ? How else , besides piracy , do you play Tales of Destiny 2 (since a moron decided that Eternia US was to be dubbed ToD 2 , and since its a 2d game its a no go apparently ) ? and the list goes on ...

    So basically this is the reward some games fans get ... It would be , and still is far easier to that Xeno guy to simply download the games and be done with it ... instead , apparently , if you choose to buy original import games , planning on playing them on the next gen console that promise you'll have that possibility , you're being told to go away and shut up ...

  • mcrobbie

    Posted Nov 12, 2006 4:23 pm PT

    first they screw us with the ps3 and now this. are they trying to destroy their europe fan base, breking their promise on europes launch is one thing but now they are deliberately trying to stop us getting any sony goods early and cheap.

  • Doolum

    Posted Nov 4, 2006 12:32 am PT

    too bad

  • Strike_Zer0

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 11:21 am PT

    Aw crap, now that really annoys the hell outta me.

  • gtjava

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 10:24 am PT

    well its still dry game wise in africa so us africans just gotta get used to this!!!!!!nooooooooo

  • 808crunk

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 8:20 am PT

    sony stopping japanese imports to europe.. . hrmm..
    i really hope that imports to the US won't end as well =/

  • chiefmegadeth

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 8:13 am PT

    well this is sony for you...
    they are the devil

    bunch of idiots and a hole lot more

    so everyone that reads this and is sick of sony!!!!
    easy way dont buy there products i stoped years ago
    and if you do then they learn a lesson dont mess with your customers cause you wont have any left...

    But seriously you should of known when they wanted to charge a arm and leg for the ps3 Do they care about customers haha lol NO WAY!!!!

    do we need blue ray NO WAY
    Crysis is on a normal dvd cd and it looks amazing... so do we really need 50 gig for game no no no no no or 25 what there useing right now?
    or 15 no!!!! sony only want your money

  • Baa1

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 5:47 am PT

    Just get a PC, no region issue with the games plus they are cheaper. I know a gaming PC is very expensive but at least you don't have to worry about as mentioned region issues and besides the graphic power on a gaming PC is incredible plus it is so dynamic for upgrading and future games.

  • KoruKinshi

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 10:39 pm PT

    Does Sony see no end to their treachery against us gamers? Seriously.

  • Sonicplys

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 8:38 pm PT

    wow.....

  • Thorpe89 Site moderator

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 3:36 pm PT

    Oh my, Sony sure don't like Europe getting their pressies early.

  • anton10000

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 3:06 pm PT

    Next they'll be sueing eBay, amazon, a friend whow has one......
    Pretty much anyone who sells you a foreign PS3 to Europe will get burnt with a red hot poker.
    OWNAGE!!111

  • bluemonkeyuk

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 2:31 pm PT

    Sony really hate us Europeans. I'm getting sick of this.

  • brantothehizzam

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 2:31 pm PT

    the trooper uk i approve your message

  • MrPuzzlez

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 1:07 pm PT

    Fony's a glutton for bad PR...

  • amurphy245

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 12:47 pm PT

    im tired of sony,im fed up of hearing their name and then teh bad news that follows.

  • TheTrooperUK

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 12:46 pm PT

    I am so tired of reading about Sony.......I wish that the playstation brand would be baught out by another comapany that would give gamers a console that is realistic in price and is soley identifiable as a console first and foremost.

    I realy do believe that Sony are in financial trouble, I think that its worse than what is currently being portrayed,they are definately losing so much money through the whole battery recall issue and they are desperately trying to reclaim their status as leader in the television market.

    They have absolutely lost their stranglehold on the portable music scene, not too mention the amount of ground they are currently losing in the console business. Articles like this further prove how desperate they are to protect whats left of their assets and financial intrests.The playstation brand has been significantly tarnished by bad bad PR and delays and outrageous pricing.

    The PS3 is so over the top and out of sync with what its actualy supposed to represent.........what is that supposed to mean? Well its meant to be a home console focousing on game content and affordability.After all that is exactly why consoles have been the bridge between PC gaming and arcades.

    Sony have forgotten what the essence of console gaming is and what it offers over and above PC and arcade software.

    Ease of use, affordability, and the sole purpose of playing games, that is what defines a gaming console.

    Cheers all....have a good day.

  • i_like_evil

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 11:21 am PT

    Yes but Lik-Sang had evidence AGAINST Sony and contradicting their claims. They're just ponying up the money for the lawyers at the moment...

  • cjcr_alexandru

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 10:39 am PT

    Interesting to see how many people are mad on Sony. I don't know the Hong Kong laws, but probably what Play-Asia was doing wasn't totally legal (at least that seems to be the case with Lik-Sang). Think before you post!

  • dougal_670

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 10:36 am PT

    what does this mean for the PS3? does this change anything about where it will be released?

  • MattHall

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 9:54 am PT

    At least that means Play-Asia should be safe from all this court trouble. Sony have really shot themselves in the foot this time with the playstation 3. Now in the UK there is an instant stigma attached to saying your getting a PS3. I constantly get comments that "buying a PS3 lets sony get away with this" and that "buying a PS3 will hurt the games industry". Unfortunately i want to support my favourite franchises (MGS, DMC etc.) and these are PS3 exclusives. If these two titles came out on the 360 there would be a premium pack sat next to me right now, instead of an empty space till march.

  • HuxleyHobbes

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 9:50 am PT

    Seriously, Sony are being idiots right here. I'm as avid a fan as you get, but this is beyond the pale. Governments alone have the right to prohibit sales in any form - corporations do not.

    Hope this doesn't hit VG+, I use them the most. Still doesn't look like anyone OTHER than Sony cares about this - and my FFXII already shipped - so it oughtn't to be too big a deal.

  • SouthAmerica09

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 9:34 am PT

    Even though this sucks it makes sense from a buisness standpoint, so I'm guessing this will be another article where sony haters have an excuse to vent their anger, congrats. Oh yeah you're idiots.

  • i_like_evil

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 9:30 am PT

    Well done Sony! You have absolutely DESTROYED ALL POPULARITY AND SUPPORT IN EUROPE. I don't blame Play-Asia. If one more import site went then Sony would be literally dead

  • Maazio

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 9:26 am PT

    y dont they just pull their underwear up and save the little dignity they may have left in a few minorities' eyes!

    EDIT: i'll edit it myself bfor sum mod has to do it for me.. *sigh*

    Sony can stop all the production for their own consoles and products if they want, but they have no right to stop consumers from buying nintendo products from these sites aswell. sony, i hate you.

  • FallenOneX

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 9:11 am PT

    Bathyj

    Sorry, but if you like Sony screwing you, go right ahead and defend them. What if Gamespot told you that you couldn't view its' website anymore until they released a Euro. version? Sound stupid? So is $ony telling customers they can't import. Notice, Play-Asia is only halting orders of $ony first party products. When Square-Enix jumps in and says no importing of FFXII to Eur...... I can't even finish that sentence, they aren't that stupid. You may be fine with waiting, but others with money are willing to pay extra for early. The problem is, Sony wasn't getting the extra. Modded system I totaly agree with, but not this.

  • megamanias

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 8:53 am PT

    Last straw Sony. This is the end. Shut down another company and that is it. We will take over as we have the courts on our side. You have been warned.

  • Animal91X

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 8:24 am PT

    SONY are determined to piss off Europe !!!

  • Maquis_UK

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 7:53 am PT

    and Yes-Asia will be next. if fony shuts that one down, i reckon my boyf will trash his fony-erricsson mobile phone. the last fony equipment in the house, and its outstayed its welcome. crap hardware from a crap company.

  • thefjk

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 7:01 am PT

    Coool, UK's beeing blocked of again!

  • PaddyDX

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 7:00 am PT

    I used to like Sony, but now I couldn't care less about them anymore.Everything they do is negative in one way or another. They're rapidly growing into one big joke of a company. From the PS3 announcements to the death of Lik-sang they havn't really got much going for them now. I think I'll with my Xbox 360 and Wii. Microsoft and Nintendo seem to be the ones doing things how they should be done around these parts.

  • aramitz

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 6:54 am PT

    JdKnight21 -

    Sony don't want importers supplying the UK/European market because that'd mean they'd miss out on the (substantial) EU markup. They'd effectively be letting everyone buy their product at the cheapest worldwide buyers price rather than their RRP.

    Importing is supposed to let people have a free choice to get around this. Sony seem to have set a precedent in saying no which although im not convinced they can legally do seems to have done nothing but damage their PR even more.

  • ZEELIX

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 6:16 am PT

    i say a big FU to sony.

  • batosaisilver

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 5:48 am PT

    Sony..... I'm getting tired of hearing them in the news articles now.... nothing good is ever attached to their name anymore. tsk tsk tsk.

  • Bathyj

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 5:25 am PT

    Why are Europeans taking this delay so personally? Aren't you used to getting everything after Japan and America? They tried to do a world wide release and obviously they couldn't manage it. Its not like they delayed it just to piss you off. Would you rather they took 50,000 units from USA and gave them to you just so you can be part of the launch. What would be the point of that? Then you would say not enough consoles for Europe while Usa say not enough consoles for USA. No one would be happy.

    Its disappointing I know, I live in Australia so I'm used to getting everything last and paying more. Yes even more than Europe. I have to pay $500 for a Wii and Zelda. And it used to be we waited nearly a year before our launch.

    I'm not trying to upset any europeans or stir up arguments even though no doubt I'll be posted back with all sorts of unflattering comments. You have a right to be pissed, as do I. I'm just trying to say dont take it to heart so much. Sony makes mistakes, just like anyone. They don't hate you. They're not out to get you. Europe is a huge market and probably the quickest growing. What possible reason would an electronics company have to hate Europe?

    In a perfect world they would have had 5 million consoles and launched everywhere in the world on the same day with a FFVII Avent Children Blu-Ray packed in. Last time I looked the world wasn't perfect. Not even close. All I can do is look on the bright side. I have my X360 to play in the meantime. I'll get Zelda at christmas. And by the time March rolls round hopefully all the launch hardware issues will be sorted out and there will be more games available. Despite all the negative press, its still a hell of a good time to be a gamer and in 6 months none of this is going to matter.

    Peace to you all.

  • joey2day

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 4:02 am PT

    Sony should've learned from the PS2 launch, and prepared for this. In the year 2006 big companies should be able to lauch worldwide without a problem.
    But they are incompetent and lack willingness. Quite honestly Sony should apologize to europe for the delay, specially after they said they would be launching the PS3 in November. Not only do us europeans have to wait, we get to pay the largest price tag in the world. 600 euros is not the same as 600 dollars.

    thanks a lot Sony!

  • joey2day

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 4:01 am PT

    Sony should've learned from the PS2 launch, and prepared for this. In the year 2006 big companies should be able to lauch worldwide without a problem.
    But they are incompetent and lack willingness. Quite honestly Sony should apologize to europe for the delay, specially after they said they would be launching the PS3 in November. Not only do us europeans have to wait, we get to pay the largest price tag in the world. 600 euros is not the same as 600 dollars.

    thanks a lot Sony!

  • Silasraven

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 2:48 am PT

    All the complaining in the world is not going to do no good. The only way to make Sony take notice of our european market is to hit them where it hurts, thier profits. All thier promises to europe are now broken, they wont even let us import. They think they own us. Dont buy the console when it is released. I was, but not now. Make your protest across all Sony products not just consoles and see if we Europeans are without power. It's the only way to get Sony to notice us. Power to the people, use your money as your weapon.

  • Satanmar

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 2:05 am PT

    People still don't believe that my 'fifth' PS2 broke a month ago, I decided a long time ago that Sony would have to prove that they made a good console to me before I spent money, how come Microsoft make a strong console like the X-Box and 360 but Sony can't. I drobbed my X-Box a few months back and it's still as strong as ever and working great. I don't know why people are standing up for sony! It just gets me angry by the way they treat us folks in Europe all the time. The only things we usually get to play before anyone else is the Football Manager series and the Smackdown series which as been released in Europe before the world for some reason. When or if we get the PS3 it will be Old news to those that live in the rest of the world.

  • TVR_Fan

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 1:48 am PT

    Satanmar sony are just trying to safe your life and money, the money can go down the drain if it fails, and if it catches alight, because its not use to your power, then Sony cannot help up.

  • Satanmar

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 1:40 am PT

    This is a stupid move by Sony, to be honest I won't be buying a PS3 anyway and am happy spending money on consoles that won't break down after a few months. I spent good money on a 360 which I'm delighted by and I'll be spending my money to get a Nintendo Wii, but Sony can say goodbye to my money, it's a bad move in so many ways, There was only one game that I was bothered about with the PS3 and that was Metal Gear Solid. Yet again us folks in Europe get the short stick, it just seems that Sony as little get for there European market! I think they'll live to regret it.

  • macacd

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 1:28 am PT

    I smell a European court of human rights case coming up.

  • webby1

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 1:24 am PT

    Its not really that smart. Im from England and to be honest most gamers over here are "Sony Fanboys" well not hardcore ones but yes. That doesnt mean that no one plays Nintendo and Microsoft consoles at all. I would just think that Sony would treat Europe better. But the PS2/PSX Backwards compatiblity isnt region free along with other things which can help Europe customers, but most people who will be importing probably already know this. I already own other consoles and dont care about backwards compatibilty I just hate waiting around half a year later than everywhere else...and because of imports I dont normally.

  • SnowFarmer

    Posted Oct 31, 2006 11:30 pm PT

    "what im failing to understand is sony made the ps3 region free"

    The made the PS3 region free so that they would sell more software. You don't see lawsuits against software importers because the software importing market is so small that it really isn't worth their effort.

    The other thing to keep in mind is that all of this current drama is being driven by Sony EU. They have the dual problem of the hardware coming out later and costing more than other regions. So they are moving to protect their cash flow.

  • D Farrell

    Posted Oct 31, 2006 10:19 pm PT

    what im failing to understand is sony made the ps3 region free, so what's the fuggin point in all this?thats like giving someone a car with a full tank of gas and no keys!

  • metdevthegamer

    Posted Oct 31, 2006 7:08 pm PT

    Poor Europe.

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Oct 31, 2006 4:06 pm PT

    Well this importing issue is certainly starting to get ugly.

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