Bad news for import fans, or people who might be thinking of moving country such as yours truly. Rockstar has decided to region lock Grand Theft Auto IV for the Xbox 360. Unlike the PlayStation 3, where everything is region free, Microsoft lets the developer decide whether or not to lock the games down. Western developers usually don't bother, while Japanese companies can nearly always be relied upon to do it. Rockstar, despite being based in the West, has decided to pull what we professionals call "something a sh*tsnake would do."
This is actually very annoying news for someone like me, who internationally travels and intends to settle in another territory in the future. While the Xbox 360 version was looking to be a worthy purchase, hearing something like this makes the PlayStation 3 version of GTA IV look far better.
A disappointment, to say the least.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
12:32 PM on 04.28.2008
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That shit is lame. Region locking should be extinct already.
While we're on the subject of shitty things Rockstar has done, have they managed to patch Bully 360 fully yet? Haven't heard a peep about the game since the first patch which created tons of new crashes. I'd really like to buy that one, but I'm not paying money until its fully functional.
On a lighter note I am going to be attending the midnight sale tonight (12:01am) to buy GTA and I might pick up the LE version....not sure yet.
I feel for you Jim! I remember when I was in Ireland for a year and the new Beastie Boys came out (yes I still buy actual CDs for artists I like). I had been waiting for that album for months and then I had to find out it wouldn't be in stores there for another 3 weeks. I got a friend to shoot me one across the pond. Got there on release day in Dublin. :\
I do think its about time they scrapped this region code crap now. Is it not more important that Rockstar get a legal sale from us, instead of a gamer resorting to downloading ripped ISOs from the net?
If you guys are ever importing a game, go over to Play Asia, where they have a guide telling you, which 360 games are region free of region specific. I use it all the time.
I am very interested to find out as well
I want to import a uk pal copy but am unsure that it will work in Australia with all the region locking etc.
anybody have any CONCRETE proof either way?
Jim?