Atlus Explains Persona 4 Arena's Region Lock on PS3

Business reasons

by Sammy Barker Sat 7th Jul 2012

The pitchforks are well and truly out again. This time gamers are agitated over Atlus’ decision to region-lock the PS3 version of Persona 4 Arena – an issue which is largely unprecedented on Sony’s home console.

Sales manager Aram Jabbari explained that the move is not the beginning of a new policy, but more the unfortunate consequence of business decisions. He continued that due to the alignment of the Japanese and North American release dates (26th July and 7th August respectively) the company was concerned about cannibalizing the performance of the title in either of the aforementioned territories.

He concluded: “The decision to region-lock Persona 4 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.”

Come on, guys – it’s really not a big deal.

As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.

1
ShogunRok
Sat 7th Jul 2012

I don't really see the problem with region lock if the game's coming out in your area anyway. Just be patient like everyone else.

2
get2sammyb
Sat 7th Jul 2012

@ShogunRok I agree. I could understand why people would be annoyed if this wasn't ever coming out — but it's only a couple of weeks behind.

3
turtlelink
Sat 7th Jul 2012

Is this the first PS3 game to be region locked?

4
ro-kurorai
Sat 7th Jul 2012

@turtlelink Yea. all other games are region-free.
Some of the older games might run in b&w though, if played on a foreign system (PAL and NTSC related). Those are far and in-between and lame titles anyway. So essentially that's the fiirst game to be region-locked.
Gematsu published Atlus' full statement and basically they're saying (Atlus) that some Japanese gamers might've waited two weeks (as this is the first international Atlus game to include JAP voice acting) for the US release as it's 30 bucks cheaper, thus cannibalizing JP sales. Japanese sales will probably be low anyways, as most Japanese fans have probably played the Arcade version to death.
Reasonable decision if all aspects are taken under consideration.

5
CanisWolfred
Sat 7th Jul 2012

I figured as much, but I still don't quite get how it was region locked (not that I expected them to tell us).

6
Stuffgamer1
Sun 8th Jul 2012

@Mickeymac: I answered that question on the previous news post. To reiterate: The PS3 has always been CAPABLE of region-locking...every game box has its region printed on it (on the bottom of the spine). It's up to the software developer to decide to make USE of it, which up until now, nobody has.

Of course, the real issue here is for European gamers, who to the best of my knowledge don't even have the game announced for their region. Also, no matter how much Atlus tries to stress that this is a one-off, it's always going to feel like setting a precedent, which is a dangerous thing.

7
Ginkgo
Sun 8th Jul 2012

It is so they can sell it cheaply in the US and then price gouge the other markets.
if the prices were balanced in the different regions there would be no need.

Personally I like to protest such actions by simply not buying the product. but that's me.