Persona 4 Arena on PS3 will be region-locked

Noob question: Aren't games usually region locked?

I wasn't really looking for to P4: Arena however since I'm a techie, this whole PS3 region lock thing sounds pointless. I even taken the time to import when the PS2 was around and it still doesn't add up! 

I think it's another move cheap move from Atlus as always. I feel bad for Arc System Works because they make great games and have a great rep for fighting games and Atlus are messing it all up for them.

 @ZeroX91 @Warlord_Irochi The reason/point is so you can't buy it cheaper from the usa, rather than paying for overpriced local copy. It's unfair and should be against the law. Sony has always been a big proponent of region-lock. they were the ones that forced it into the DVD standard (and it's in Blu-Ray since that's a Sony owned format).

I don't see the point in the region-lock, but doesn't bug me any as long as I get it in English which is guaranteed at this point.

Ok, I think I know why... well Atlus... don't take 8 months to release a game in Europe after releasing it in the States like you did with Catherine and people will not import.Do things RIGHT, puting this kidn o block is just the easy and cheap way of doing things.

The question is "why", makes no sense if you ask me...

Im 100% fine with this. I games cheaper from my own country funnily enough.

Anyone who wanted to read this...I got this from the IGN site and I felt that it is needed to be read 

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Friends of Atlus,

The last week brought with it news that Persona 4 Arena would effectively become the first PlayStation 3 system game to be region-locked. We can today confirm that this is true; the game will be region-locked in all its respective territories of release.

As we've ascertained from your impassioned responses online, this is obviously a tremendous frustration for many fans. We understand the various perspectives on the matter. Those who fear this is a slippery slope, the beginning of a dangerous and unnecessary precedent. Those who import foreign hardware for a multitude of reasons and expect to be unlimited in their software selection. Those who aren't necessarily affected by this issue, but who are principally opposed to it. We are not blind to these concerns and we pledge to grow ever more informed as to exactly what our fans want. It should be added that we were completely unprepared for the force with which the community communicated their disapproval.

There are, however, a few points to clarify. This is NOT the beginning of a new Atlus policy, nor do we view it as a precedent or a slippery slope. If anything, your determination and dedication to what you believe in has certainly stood in the face of that. This is an isolated case, a situation precipitated by a number of factors, some of which are simply out of our North American hands. Moreover, and perhaps there is no way to convince our fans of this considering the magnitude of the betrayal many are feeling, but we are not doing this out of malice or a desire to control. Allow us to explain.

Persona 4 Arena achieves a number of triumphs for our North American publishing house. For years, our fans have asked us to include dual language audio in our games. Finally, with P4 Arena, we were able to deliver on that desire and include the exact same content as the Japanese release for our North American fans. Moreover, our North American community is often forced to wait months for a localized release (a plight our friends across the Atlantic can relate to). Again, with P4 Arena, we're able to release within two weeks of Japan. We pushed hard for these things. We know our fans want them--well really, EXPECT them--and we did our best to get as much for our release as possible.

The unforeseen consequence in all of this was that we had a version of our biggest game of the year releasing within a couple weeks in two territories, both identical in content, but at radically different price points. Importing, as great as it is for gamers who otherwise can't get access to a title, can also cannibalize the performance of a title in one territory to the benefit of another. While we're all one big Atlus family, the reality is that the dramatic difference between the Yen and the Dollar makes for a dramatic difference in price. So the decision was made, perhaps at the expense of some of our fans, clearly at the frustration of many, to region-lock Persona 4 Arena.

For many of you, there is no explanation that resonates, no justification that atones for this fact. We can only endeavor to earn back your confidence and, to learn from your arguments. We absolutely recognize the fear that this is the beginning of a trend. We in no way view it as such. Please also keep in mind that the game's excellent online multiplayer is global, a fact that is in no way affected by the region-lock. Players can compete against fighters from all territories.

A tremendous team of talented developers and artists poured their blood, sweat, and tears into Persona 4 Arena, and every reaction we've ever received to the game has shown that those efforts are readily apparent. The decision to region-lock P4 Arena was a business one, one that has very clearly affected how many perceive the project, but we ask you to please not overlook the exceptional efforts of the people behind the game and to work with us through constructive dialogue.

Thank you.

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I feel sad that Japanese publishers are wanting to go back to region locking their games on the PS3 all because of the strong Yen and not wanting gamers in japan to import from america. 

I just hope that Atlus of Japan eventually understands how much this can backfire against them. 

Also the reply letter was sent by Atlus USA saying that they could not do anything about the situation and that they understood how worried most North American and PAL gamers feel about Region Locking.

This is bad. I hope the game flops just because of this. I definitely won't be buying. Publishers only understand one thing : money. And they won't have mine on this one.

European and Australian/NZ gamers should boycott this out of principle.We're already in 2012 and Atlus is still pretending we don't exist. This only hits us the hardest as importing is the only way to go, unless you want to wait 6-8 months for Zen United to bring out PAL version, which will be released at full retail price while all the other versions have already dropped in price.If you still insist on getting it then buy it used.

Only possible feasible reason I can imagine is because of different video standards and specifications in the differing regions (the only reason we even have Region-specific PS3s in the first place). This is especially true with the rise of digital video and a move from analog video (NTSC in America, PAL in EU).

Really there's no reason to import the JP copy of this game at all so I don't see it being much of a big deal, the JP audio is there if you want to listen to it (which I probably will).

There are probably hundred's of games that are region-locked that we just don't know about yet, it's not done solely for marketing reasons.

atlus after releasing demon's souls - never got something clever done. i think this is just stupid move. another no-brain evidence of publishing company.

I thought that sony have a policy of no region locking

I just warn my regular game shop visit here in singapore and let them know about it and beside i am a member of that shop. Anyway i better get a AS version of persona 4 arena

i see region locking equal to a dev/studio shooting them self in the foot. it completely blocks any revenue for the game coming from imports as well as encourages piracy. well no piracy involved here though because its the PS3 we're talking about, but still WHY? it hurts both the fans and the studio

Strange, especially considering both version have both subs/text. Why the need to region lock?

can't believe we still region lock, hopefully this is for a good reason, and its for the better...

wtf

going back to the dark ages. I had greater expactations from atlus then this. 

I really hope this doesn't catch on. Region-free gaming is one of the finest features of the Ps3. Of course, if it does become more widespread all it'll do is increase the number of hackers trying to remove it.

Looks amazing....

It's because the japanese developers are paranoid that japanese gamers will reverse import the game. 

It's much like the anime industry at the moment.  Since the North America & Japan share the same region for blu-rays.    With the anime industry, some companies are refusing licenses for blu-rays releases right now.  Because they're paranoid that japanese customers will just import the U.S. version, since it's cheaper(even with import fees) to buy.  That's why most of what anime is released is on DVD, since it's a different region compared to Japan.

Region-locking is a nationalist form of DRM.

I remember back when the vintage PS3's could play PS2 games, until I found out that all my UK games didn't working on my US PS3... The horror is starting again D:

I'm a big Tensei fan. I love Persona, Devil Summoner and Devil Survivor. It's such a shame that Europe keep missing out on these games. I love Japanese culture so I'm into the computer games too. It's hard enough to buy manga and Anime series here (price wise and limited selection in most shops). People are more likely to hack because of these limitations, aren't they shooting themselves in the foot here? I worry about Persona 5 now, will we ever get to play it?

stupid decision. my PS3 is a Hong Kong made and I always play NA games. what do I do now? I knew the answer! just don't buy this game.

Cucumbers.

Persona 4: Arena region locked? Hmmm... I'm guessing they're planning to release different DLC on different versions maybe. Either that or there's something in the Japanese version they don't want us to see in our version.

But what about guys who imported their PS3 (FFVII AC ltd ed), I'm now screwed because I bought a Japanese PS3, precisly because it is REGION-FREE. I never thought I'd say this but F**K Atlus... They were my favourite comapany, I even bought Catherine for both PS3 and XB360, KoFXIII, for both, and now they announce this? I was planning to buy Arena for both, but now I will get neither...I guess they are starting to get the sense that people will just buy their stuff just because of their name being on it, and guys like me are to blame for sure. I hope they don't start getting cocky like capcom has, because they don't even have the resources to sustain such an attitude.

And people wanted PlatinumGames to partner with Atlus after that whole Sega west delayed AR bullshit. No thank you

Why now? These are the main reasons why there is region locking, but I don't see how they affect this game, someone explain!!!:

Pricing: different territories can have different prices for games without people simply shopping "wherever is cheaper".

Sensitive regions: Some games could be regarded as offensive for religious or political reasons.

Staged launches. If a console is region-locked, then staged launches of the games would be easier, as console producers could easily control the huge bow-wave of people wanting a game the moment it is released.

Piracy. Piracy is more common in some countries than others. For example it is particularly common in China as compared to North America. Region locks can prevent pirated games from these countries from being played on systems outside of their designated region.