Games Region Coding

Do you ever have a problem with console games bought overseas not running on your console. If yes, chances is you are a victim of region coding.

Like DVD, all console games are region coded. The grouping of the region code is different for different type of media. E.g. according to Wikipedia, DVD has 8 different region code. On the other hand, PS2 games only have 3 types of region code - NTSC/U, NTSC/J, PAL.

Region coding the media is futile if the hardware are not region coded. Hence all the consoles are also similar coded. Hence it ensure that games bought from one region cannot be played on console from another region. If a US gamer wants to play games that are only launch in Japan, they will have to buy a Japanese console.

If all games were available at the same price and released on the same day, region coding might not have been such a big issue. However in reality it rarely happens. Some games are exclusive to a region. Other such as Nintendo's Super Smash Brother Brawl was released in Europe/Australia in June 08 - 3 months after it was launched in the US (and 6 months after it was launched in Japan). The price of game also varies widely across different region. Games are cheaper in US than Australia/Europe.

Companies have leverage on 'overriding' region coding to sell their products. Datel's Freeloader allow Wii user to play games from another region. However Nintendo didn't take it lightly. It promptly issue System Update 3.3 which cancel the loophole exploited by Freeloader and render the latter a white elephant.

There are others that uses hardware to overcome the region coding it. e.g. modchip. Console manufacturers responded by making their console harder to mod.

If it is the same game, why don't they just do away with region coding?

Region coding allows software developer to customise their product to a particular.
The controversial Manhunt 2 was deemed too violent in the EU and Rockstar had to launch a "tone down" version of the game there. Suda51's No More Heroes (PAL version) was also customised to address the same concern. Games from different region can also have slightly different content. E.g. PS2's Final Fantasy X.

Console manufacturer priced their console differently in different geographical region. If it desperately want to penetrate a market, the console will be priced more cheaply there. Some times, it can be up to 30% cheaper. If there is no region coding, a shrewd businessman would buy consoles from that region and sell it elsewhere for a handsome profit. However region coding prevents them from doing so. E.g. Wii are sold very cheaply in Korea. However, there is little incentive for one to import a Wii from that region. Firstly it can't play games from your region. Secondly, few people can understand the Korean System Menu.

However in recent years, there appears to be a trend towards "region free" . E.g. PS3 console can play games from any region. Some of the popular Xbox360 titles are also region free. E.g. Assassin Creed, Left4Dead, Fable II, Red Alert 3, Call of Duty: World at War.

Will this trend continue? Only time will tell.