AfterDawn: News

PS4 is not region locked

Sony's upcoming PlayStation 4 (PS4) will reportedly drop region locking - meaning games bought in any territory should work with any PS4 console.

Region locking is a practice common with forms of digital media intended to lock a movie or game to a specific territory. This is done for a variety of reasons, but the most obvious is to discourage the importing of content from regions where they have lower prices than in richer economies.



Movies on DVD, for example, have often been sold for very low prices in regions of Asia where street piracy is rampant. In order to stop consumers in the Western World from simply buying in bulk from developing countries, region locking was enforced. This led to entire databases of "region hacks" for DVD players being built, and gave another reason to make hardware modifications to games consoles.

Now, according to Shuhei Yoshida, President of Worldwide Studios, Sony Computer Entertainment, the PlayStation 4 will be region free when it launches this holiday season.

And yes, PS4 is region free :D

-- Shuhei Yoshida (@yosp) June 11, 2013

Does this make a difference to your interest in buying a PS4?



Written by: James Delahunty @ 11 Jun 2013 14:32

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• 36 comments

• emugamer

  Wow, they are really buttering us up! Ok Sony, you've got us in bed....you're clean, right?

  11.6.2013 14:51 #1

• Mysttic

  Also the HDD is removable and upgradable so yay...

  11.6.2013 14:57 #2

• baxter00

  Looks to me like Sony is trying to basically kill the XBox One before it even gets its baby legs.

  11.6.2013 16:22 #3

• koolxxx

  ps4 will destroy the xbox one hands down..
  

  11.6.2013 16:37 #4

• emugamer

  Originally posted by baxter00: Looks to me like Sony is trying to basically kill the XBox One before it even gets its baby legs.
  Xbox One will need to really promote the heck out of Halo.

  11.6.2013 16:59 #5

• Picazzo

  Watch how fast Microsoft does(excuse the pun)a "360" on their recent announcements...Believe me things will change before the "One" even gets out the door. This is Microsoft dipping it's toe in the proverbial customer opinion before setting itself in stone.Sony has no choice but to kiss some a** as they have been pounded by Microsoft Xbox 360 for the last 3-4 years.

  11.6.2013 17:01 #6

• Picazzo

  Originally posted by koolxxx: ps4 will destroy the xbox one hands down.. Not gonna happen....

  11.6.2013 17:02 #7

• Frogfart

  MS seem to want to shite on all their customers.
  Office subscription shite.
  MS Flight shite.
  Windows 8 shite.
  Xbox DRM shite.
  Windows RT shite.
  Can you add to the list?

  11.6.2013 17:21 #8

• SProdigy

  Originally posted by Frogfart: MS seem to want to shite on all their customers.
  Office subscription shite.
  MS Flight shite.
  Windows 8 shite.
  Xbox DRM shite.
  Windows RT shite.
  Can you add to the list? Yes but everyone is so quick to forgive and forget the failures of the PS3 launch. Price, dropping backwards compatibility, the six-axis controller, no PSN network at launch (and for like a year or better) controllers that didn't sync with other consoles, that whole sims/avatar ripoff deal that launched like a stinker, the PS Move...
  
  Plenty of rotten eggs in that batch. They went from the great PS2 to barely being relevant. Hence why they are kissing bum right now.

  11.6.2013 17:25 #9

• Mrmars

  My thing is the price I don't know how Sony can afford to make the ps4 the loss on every system has to be staggering and sonys not doing that well financially if somebody could explain this to me greatly appreciated
  

  HR

  11.6.2013 17:44 #10

• joebloe12

  Originally posted by Picazzo: Originally posted by koolxxx: ps4 will destroy the xbox one hands down.. Not gonna happen.... It ALREADY HAS happened MS fanboy! Get over it!
  

  11.6.2013 17:48 #11

• Picazzo

  Originally posted by joebloe12: Originally posted by Picazzo: Originally posted by koolxxx: ps4 will destroy the xbox one hands down.. Not gonna happen.... It ALREADY HAS happened MS fanboy! Get over it! Already has ?...How ? Microsoft has been kickin Sony's ass for years. Sony is in serious financial trouble.Microsoft stock continues to climb while Sony's continues to nose dive. Do your research before you shoot your mouth off CLOWN.

  11.6.2013 19:23 #12

• Picazzo

  Originally posted by Picazzo: Originally posted by joebloe12: Originally posted by Picazzo: Originally posted by koolxxx: ps4 will destroy the xbox one hands down.. Not gonna happen.... It ALREADY HAS happened MS fanboy! Get over it! Already has ?...How ? Microsoft has been kickin Sony's ass for years. Sony is in serious financial trouble.Microsoft stock continues to climb while Sony's continues to nose dive. Do your research before you shoot your mouth off CLOWN. Hmmmmmm Sony $20.30 a share and dropping.....Microsoft @ 34.84 and climbing.....Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out....back to your hole....Sony Troll!

  11.6.2013 19:25 #13

• tongs007

  Originally posted by joebloe12: Originally posted by Picazzo: Originally posted by koolxxx: ps4 will destroy the xbox one hands down.. Not gonna happen.... It ALREADY HAS happened MS fanboy! Get over it! it HASN'T really. I have both "our gen" consoles and prefer my ps3 ( ps3 is running rogero and my xbox 360 has the xk3y) but and its a big BUTT ;) M$ announced the used games bull and internet to be activated every 24 hours kak. Now sony have announced the complete opposite..... i guess we will see. If i was Mr Sony i wouldn't have said anything other than the ps4 is still in the final stages, wait till the xbox one goes on sale then boom hit the market witha £350 no drm and used games allowed. they would blow them out of the water. M$ will certainly do a 360 now as someone said. If not then game over

  11.6.2013 19:31 #14

• Picazzo

  Originally posted by tongs007: Originally posted by joebloe12: Originally posted by Picazzo: Originally posted by koolxxx: ps4 will destroy the xbox one hands down.. Not gonna happen.... It ALREADY HAS happened MS fanboy! Get over it! it HASN'T really. I have both "our gen" consoles and prefer my ps3 ( ps3 is running rogero and my xbox 360 has the xk3y) but and its a big BUTT ;) M$ announced the used games bull and internet to be activated every 24 hours kak. Now sony have announced the complete opposite..... i guess we will see. If i was Mr Sony i wouldn't have said anything other than the ps4 is still in the final stages, wait till the xbox one goes on sale then boom hit the market witha £350 no drm and used games allowed. they would blow them out of the water. M$ will certainly do a 360 now as someone said. If not then game over
  AMEN TO THAT BROTHA!!!

  11.6.2013 19:39 #15

• KillerBug

  I still don't intend to buy one...and I'm guessing the region free is going to be limited (after all, Sony is the company that pushed for bluray regions...and it still plays blurays).
  

  
  

  11.6.2013 19:44 #16

• deak91

  found more on this
  
  The PS4 continues the tradition of having no region lock following PSP, PS3, and PS Vita. Those PlayStation devices do not have region lock. Xbox One is reported to have region locking.
  
  How would this news factor into your decision on choosing your next-gen console? Does it hold any significance whether you can import games?
  
  
  
  Update: Shuhei Yoshida, president of SCE Worldwide Studios, made a tweet last night confirming that the PS4 is indeed free of region lock. A Sony representative also issued a statement to Joystiq.
  
  "In general, neither digital or disc-based games will be region locked, but we recommend users purchase games at the region of their residence to guarantee the best overall consumer experience (eg, customer service). In addition, certain software makers game titles may be region locked."
  
  please afterdawn stop posting parts and giving false hope

  11.6.2013 20:29 #17

• GryphB

  Half sold. I think this is only at the surface. Just like when they allowed for dual booting of Linux on the PS3, then they decided to take it away. I feel the same thing might happen.

  11.6.2013 20:33 #18

• xboxdvl2

  if i end up getting a ps4 eventually i will be testing it with asian imports.
  i highly doubt it will be region free but we will wait and see.
  

  i have the big screen tv,a ps3 and 5.1 channel surround sound.car still runs smooth and computer still works but its a bit outdated.

  12.6.2013 07:20 #19

• DK1979

  Wish it would be region free for blury/dvds to, that would boost sale a bit i my book.

  12.6.2013 08:01 #20

• Jemborg

  Another good sign.
  
  Why would they introduce region lock if they do not have it for the PS3 games?
  

  Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
  
  
  

  12.6.2013 13:54 #21

• Jemborg

  Originally posted by SProdigy: Yes but everyone is so quick to forgive and forget... They went from the great PS2 to barely being relevant. Hence why they are kissing bum right now.
  ??? And the downside to that is... ???
  
  LOL
  
  
  
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  

  Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
  
  
  

  12.6.2013 14:11 #22

• ps3lvanub

  people still console fanboy? Really? Get over it guys. I'm sure both consoles will be great in their respective ways.
  

  
  
  IMPORTANT: If you hate Sony for being so corrupt, copy this image into your signature too!
  
  OMG! COD6 TENTH HACK WITHOUT JTAG!

  14.6.2013 06:12 #23

• Jemborg

  Since we Aussies are shafted pricewise it's a bonus to be be able to buy games discs online from overseas... no doubt about it.
  

  Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
  
  
  

  14.6.2013 06:51 #24

• SProdigy

  Originally posted by Jemborg: Originally posted by SProdigy: Yes but everyone is so quick to forgive and forget... They went from the great PS2 to barely being relevant. Hence why they are kissing bum right now.
  ??? And the downside to that is... ???
  
  LOL
  
  
  
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------- IDK, ask Sega ;-)

  14.6.2013 09:38 #25

• A5J4DX

  awesome!
  

  15.6.2013 22:10 #26

• Jemborg

  Originally posted by SProdigy: Originally posted by Jemborg: Originally posted by SProdigy: Yes but everyone is so quick to forgive and forget... They went from the great PS2 to barely being relevant. Hence why they are kissing bum right now.
  ??? And the downside to that is... ???
  
  LOL
  
  
  
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------- IDK, ask Sega ;-) Why don't you elaborate in regards to Sega?
  

  Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
  
  
  

  15.6.2013 23:34 #27

• Picazzo

  Guess I was right '-)

  20.6.2013 10:44 #28

• SProdigy

  Originally posted by Jemborg: Originally posted by SProdigy: Originally posted by Jemborg: Originally posted by SProdigy: Yes but everyone is so quick to forgive and forget... They went from the great PS2 to barely being relevant. Hence why they are kissing bum right now.
  ??? And the downside to that is... ???
  
  LOL
  
  
  
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------- IDK, ask Sega ;-) Why don't you elaborate in regards to Sega? Uhhhhhh... Sega doesn't make consoles anymore. Gone. Goodbye. Kaput.
  
  If Sony stayed on their anti-consumer trend, this would be another one of their devices to go the way of the Walkman.

  20.6.2013 10:53 #29

• Jemborg

  Originally posted by SProdigy: Originally posted by Jemborg: Originally posted by SProdigy: Originally posted by Jemborg: Originally posted by SProdigy: Yes but everyone is so quick to forgive and forget... They went from the great PS2 to barely being relevant. Hence why they are kissing bum right now.
  ??? And the downside to that is... ???
  
  LOL
  
  
  
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------- IDK, ask Sega ;-) Why don't you elaborate in regards to Sega? Uhhhhhh... Sega doesn't make consoles anymore. Gone. Goodbye. Kaput.
  
  If Sony stayed on their anti-consumer trend, this would be another one of their devices to go the way of the Walkman. The various mini discs would be a better example but I fail to see the connection especially since MS has backed down.
  

  Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
  
  
  

  20.6.2013 13:44 #30

• SProdigy

  Haha, no offense, but can't see why I'm explaining this so much.
  
  Sony is very anti-consumer and the reason they lost market share in their other ventures such as HDTV, portable music players, cell phones, etc.
  
  The PS3 had a number of famous flops during it's introduction and is the clear #3 in the current generation. Hence my comment about the "forgive and forget" because they are really gearing the PS4 for fanboys and using a number of anti-consumer tactics that MS introduced in the new Xbox, against MS.
  
  The irony is Sony is every bit as anti-consumer. My comment merely referenced, had they went the same route as MS, they could lose even more market share in this new generation, thus taking the same path as Sega and being forced out of the console market.
  
  I know you might think Sega wasn't anti-consumer, and they made good consoles, but don't forget how many times they abandoned add-ons or ideas. The start was a 6-button controller that was needed for many Genesis games. Then the Sega CD, which was somewhat supported. The 32X was a dog and the Saturn was abandoned quickly which ultimately hurt them when the Dreamcast came about. (Which I felt was a tremendous system, but it lacked support after the Saturn debacle, as everyone moved to the Playstation.)

  20.6.2013 13:56 #31

• Jemborg

  Originally posted by SProdigy: ...they are really gearing the PS4 for fanboys... I think your off on your own planet mate. (I thought you would have understood that by now.)
  

  Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
  
  
  

  20.6.2013 14:09 #32

• SProdigy

  Originally posted by Jemborg: Originally posted by SProdigy: ...they are really gearing the PS4 for fanboys... I think your off on your own planet mate. (I thought you would have understood that by now.) Not at all. Sony has been very anti-consumer. Just look at the Blu-Ray anti-piracy measures and music CD rootkits for example.
  
  Now explain to me how Sony "got everything right" in gamers' eyes, and MS apparently got "everything wrong" when Sony is usually the one up to anti-consumer tricks?
  
  Typical cutthroat corporate tactics. They heard everything MS was doing and did the exact opposite. (Someone did their homework, unlike MS, who apparently didn't do any surveys or research to explore potential consumer backlash.)
  
  And I should've said "gamers" instead of "fanboys." My bad.
  
  Disclaimer: I could really care less about all 3 of these consoles. I've owned products from all of the big 3 and will continue to support them all in one way or another. I just see the PS4 propaganda to be very convenient taking their past history into account.

  20.6.2013 14:17 #33

• Jemborg

  I obviously don't think Sony are perfect but this time around they have built a better machine than MS...
  
  ...Unless you are really into the Kinnect.
  
  I not buying either of these consoles for a fair while, meanwhile, my OUYA should be arriving in a week.
  

  Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
  
  
  

  20.6.2013 14:30 #34

• SProdigy

  Originally posted by Jemborg: I not buying either of these consoles for a fair while... Same here. I'll wait for them to drop in price, as I did with the 360. I did, however, get a launch day Wii, something I'll never do again is wait out and overpay for a product that is destined to drop in price over time.
  
  My early adopter tune changed when I almost got suckered into buying HD-DVD!

  20.6.2013 14:35 #35

• Jemborg

  I bought betamax :)
  

  Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
  
  
  

  20.6.2013 15:03 #36