Home will be region locked
by Jem Alexander 
{ Jul 16th 2008 at 10:00PM }
If you want to meet up with your pals from abroad, then you'll be able to invite them into your apartment, but warping into the game space to bowl or play chess is not possible. This is allegedly to make sure that each region receives an "experience most suited to their tastes" as well as, no doubt, to keep advertisers happy. The last thing they want is Europeans seeing an advert directed at Americans.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
stargateheaven @ Jul 16th 2008 10:07PM
Great. Just great.
I wanna be the best in the WORLD, not just the best in my country..
It's what ruined MGO.
Albanian_Killa @ Jul 16th 2008 10:19PM
It's one of the reasons I continue to play Warhawk (apart from being an awesome game), I get to play with Spanish, British, Japanese, you name it, easily, with no lag. It's great playing with Brits, sometimes even messing with them hehe. MGO was just Konami being greedy to service their online needs. Japanese can't do online. I've figured that out already. I wonder if Kojima is happy with how Konami is ripping their customers.
War Machine @ Jul 17th 2008 12:17AM
I can still invite them into my apartment for some hot coffee, right?
GridloQ @ Jul 16th 2008 10:11PM
Please, Sony, just cancel Home already.
linebeginstoblur @ Jul 16th 2008 10:17PM
I was so excited when I first heard about Home, but lately, it's just all talk and nothing else. To be honest, I have to agree. If they're just going to keep taking their sweet time working on it (translation: sitting on their thumbs) and not even adding worldwide support, just cancel it already. I heard Home started as a PS2 project that they later moved to the PS3. I wouldn't be surprised if it either gets moved to the PS4 or just never comes out at all.
AnimaOnline @ Jul 16th 2008 10:33PM
Why cancel it?
If you don't like it then why would Sony need to cancel it.
Surely you'd just not play it.
Regardless people we're pissed off when Sony release In-Game XMB and Trophies with no In-Game Music and only one game with trophies. Would you really want Sony to release Home 2 years ago having it be complete rubbish?
First impressions count.
kevin @ Jul 17th 2008 12:00AM
why cancel it you idiot ? i love it now ur just jealous cuz ur not a tester like me and dont get to see the beauty of it add me if u dont believe me(keviseg15)
Eric @ Jul 16th 2008 10:18PM
that messed up you mean i cant go to otaku land in japans home !!! that was 1 of the main things i wanted...
Bubba @ Jul 16th 2008 10:18PM
Did anyone hear of a possible release for Home? It been delayed and delayed over and over. Sony has to release it before the other box gets their upgraded Mii's
linebeginstoblur @ Jul 16th 2008 10:26PM
I've heard it should be ready by the fall, but I'm counting on news of a delay come Tokyo Game Show in October. I called it.
LT.ShinySides @ Jul 16th 2008 10:17PM
I'm in Aus and get better pings off the US than i do most of Europe....and i can understand US pplz better than UKers 0_o ...Unless it'll be Aus/NZ only HOME...that's going to be a lonely place :(
So HOME is now a glorified voice chat/PSstore....awesome
Albanian_Killa @ Jul 16th 2008 10:20PM
There's always hope. In your situation, I suggest using a proxy server so you get an American IP address. It works for the Video Store, so it should work for Home. Just gotta find out how to make it work on your PS3.
Albanian_Killa @ Jul 16th 2008 10:17PM
First the PLAYSTATION Video Store (which is understandable), now this. I don't like this Microsoft-style strategy Sony is using where they lock things depending on region. Oh no, I saw a Nike Football ad from the U.K and I think Nike sells American Football gear if I visit that web site. Heavens, I am deeply scarred!
Please, can't they just make the ads show depending on where the user is. For example, I see NBC ads and my British friend sees BBC ads. Why can't they make it like that? Imagine if they segregate Canada and the U.S. That would be the last straw.
adolson @ Jul 16th 2008 11:51PM
Do not try and bring rational thinking into this! Everyone knows that you can't tell what country someone is in by their IP address, and slip in the appropriate ads - the technology* doesn't exist! (* - Actual technology may or may not exist. Actually, it does. But still, this is no place for logical thought processes. This is the Internet!)
James @ Jul 16th 2008 10:21PM
Wow, ridiculous. One of my better friends is a Brit so not being able to pretty much jack shit with him in home sucks. Thanks Sony!!
Falryu @ Jul 16th 2008 10:29PM
So much for the "We are going to focus on our users instead of our advertisers." Games are region free yet Home is region locked. Just another thing that devalues home. Xbox 360 recovered and now PS3 is sinking fast again.
Zombie Huggles @ Jul 16th 2008 10:21PM
Now this is horrible...this, to me, is the worst decision Sony can make. They could have promoted PS3 as bringing the world together, but now they're pulling us apart...
Can we start some sort of petition or something, I want this changed.
Mike @ Jul 16th 2008 10:24PM
i agree, mgo shouldn't be region locked, but i can see why this would
i wouldnt have fun not understanding the person i'm trying to meet.. lol
Jerses @ Jul 17th 2008 10:33AM
Im from Mexico and i cant see the store from US, so this means we will have HOME blocked? Im not asking for a Mexico Store...im asking free region HOME... fudge the sponsors!!!! And what about "my life with playstation" will it be a google earth region locked just because sponsors? they are making me want a RROD360....
kentuckyfried @ Jul 16th 2008 10:24PM
Can somebody explain to me why it's so important in regards to movies, and now home, to keep things region-locked?
One thing that's important at this time is keeping games playable. Anybody who's played COD4 knows that it's not that much fun playing against UK people have the time when you're unloading an entire clip into them, only to have your opponent spin around and shoot you dead. So at least, that's one positive of keeping things region-locked.
But to be honest, they should make that a preference of the user. B/c I loved the idea that I could meet and communicate with potentially anybody around the world (hopefully in a more secure format than 2nd life). And this latest development really doesn't help that goal.
MexicanTerrorist @ Jul 16th 2008 10:32PM
Home?
Release date?
No?
(grumbles)
Virduk @ Jul 16th 2008 10:38PM
Well...Sony just killed my interest in HOME.
AL7AIR @ Jul 16th 2008 10:44PM
If it's just the public "entry lobby" that is region logged I don't care, as I still can invite everybody to my place, and enter the game specific lobbies for Uncharted and Warhawk they showed together.
Plus they can set up multiple servers for the different regions so everybody has a good connection to those "entry lobbies".
And if I remember correctly you are able to get or buy those arcade machines, pool tables, and bowling lanes for your home; if you really need them and you have enough space in your room, loft, or house.
Seba501 @ Jul 17th 2008 12:35AM
I´m complety agree whit u AL7AIR.
Hey guys u are exaggerating, u can still invite your friend to your apartment, show your Trophies, talk, etc.... what more u want ??,i think region locked is necesary, for the plubicity
Kenneth H. @ Jul 16th 2008 10:49PM
I agree..this sucks ass..I speak French (very well) might I add, and was very much looking to be able to practice.
Gate @ Jul 16th 2008 10:50PM
Man, I was actually looking forward to Home. I didn't care what anyone said about it sucking, I was going to love it. But making it region locked? That's just stupid. Plain old stupid.
justice @ Jul 16th 2008 10:54PM
its already taking 2 long to come out
and now this region stuff...
this is so sad...
marauder800 @ Jul 16th 2008 10:55PM
Half my friends list is overseas. This is just lame.
Binaryfiend @ Jul 16th 2008 10:58PM
Sony is really sucking lately. I mean the video store is cool but loosing FF, waiting for Home and now this. I'll go bury my head in a game and wait for some good news.
Deadpool @ Jul 18th 2008 7:53PM
Correction: Sharing FF "Final Fantasy 13"
Also keep in mind we still have FF 13 Versus. So Sony still has that other foot to stand on..................for now. o_o
Being uncertain about exclusives is Creepy.
James @ Jul 16th 2008 11:03PM
Who can we contact about this, I'd imagine enough outcry and they will change it, they have too much built into it to just allow it to be a huge flop on something like region specific ads/video.
Zombie Huggles @ Jul 17th 2008 2:04AM
I'm with you James, let's petition. I pledge a vow of Home-Fasting. I will download it to let Sony know I could use it, but I will intentionally not. that way they have one less number to brag to potential advertisers...but I don't think they'll care if it's just me.
I wouldn't care if they went ahead and charged me 10 bucks for a premium Home package...this program was meant to bring people together, not region-lock us apart!
NukeAssault @ Jul 16th 2008 11:07PM
BOO! I think... Can NA players (that being Canada and the US) play together? Cause i have a few friends up north.
Dwag @ Jul 16th 2008 11:11PM
I might waste a couple of hours in home getting everything set up then never ever using it again cause I don't need it and will just stick my In Game XMB.
snake79 @ Jul 16th 2008 11:47PM
i'm really annoy about this whole region lock thing on PSN stuff. stupid Sony. They create good stuff but they doesn't now how to promote em.
Riley Freeman @ Jul 16th 2008 11:59PM
EPIC FAIL sony. the news just keeps going downhill
final fantasy, e3 underwhelming, ps3 video downloads lcoked out of canada (not surprising though) and now home is region locked. not good. ill never go to xbox but damn i can stop playing video games altogether.
f*** advertisers
Dwag @ Jul 17th 2008 12:18AM
My general opinion of Home(if anyone cares)
They didn't Fail until they announce Home getting delayed if that happens then there is a actual reason to get mad right now Home is just an extra community feature thats gonna cater to those not Hardcore gamers(Fanboys you know it true) the casuals cause frankly I don't really see everyone going into a space a space to plan out a strategic war on a 2d map(the Warhawk thing) and I don't see the hardcore vistig this everyday to check out some news from friends when they could do it the easy way and just send a message. It to me is a way to past time while not playing games but hardcores rarely do that I doubt a true hardcore gamer quits his game to go check his emails or messages and I don't see him going into what is basically a game to launch another game that he could have launched from the beginning. I see the attraction in Home but don't see it reaching the hardcore who don't quit and play games for hours on end i doubt they will do this when everything Home basically introduces can be done in the in the XMB.
I'm not bashing(well i'm not trying to bash) and I'm just stating that it may look appealing but in the long run will you ever use em again they basically are making a Mii system online something thats really fun at the beginning but gets less and less appealing as time goes by even with updates.
I'm sorry for the grammar I tried to type this fast I hope it actually gets posted.
Reymo @ Jul 17th 2008 12:47AM
I honestly think half of you do not even own a PS3. So quick to bash anything SONY does is just too ridiculous. SONY delivers what you cry for and you cry some more. They are fine and getting better with every month. Think of it this way, it does not matter if you cry about it..people are still buying the PS3 and most people are going to have a blast with HOME, just because the jaded few on the internet tubez think its a shoddy job its not going to flop. Be real people..and get over it lol.
Arnon @ Jul 17th 2008 2:12AM
Except for them like..
Losing 3.3billion dollars
Making PSN Video and HOME Region locked
and now FF13 is multi-platform
-.-
Great news, dood.
Greg @ Jul 17th 2008 12:48AM
The region lock is just stupid ! Same as locking for DVD, PS2 games, Blu-Ray,... My only hope is that the region lock is not hardware based... (I bought my PS3 when living in Taiwan).
Sony, when are you going to listen to us !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(I dream of the day we will be able to unlock the DVD zones on the PS3 !!!)
TCampbell76 @ Jul 17th 2008 12:51AM
Nice. Changes influenced by advertisers. Sounds like Home is being run by CNet now.
MattLive @ Jul 17th 2008 1:04AM
Sorry Sony, but you just f*cked up again. Community features should never be limited by region. Ask what would happen to Facebook if they did the same thing. Fix advertisement by IP-adress - not region.
Aozora @ Jul 17th 2008 1:16AM
In the beta, you are allowed to switch regions, and im sure you will be able to do that when the full comes out as well.
Snowman @ Jul 17th 2008 1:40AM
Then the region lock would be pointless.
Taustin Powers @ Jul 17th 2008 1:19AM
wrong direction, sony...
fossett44 @ Jul 21st 2008 10:39PM
whats up people
eugene @ Jul 17th 2008 5:14AM
just lame. One of the fascinating aspects of the online community is that it enables us to interact with people from cultures and countries not our own, making the alien both familiar and welcoming.
Region locking is just another attempt by corporation to reinforce the old paradigms of segregation and isolation the only difference is now those boundaries aren't being drawn for base reasons like nationalism, culture or religion, but for the purely greed driven reason of resource capitalization.
coster127 @ Jul 17th 2008 8:11AM
NOOOOO no no no no no! This is awful! Now Europe is gona get ripped off as usual because we are in our own thing. Everyone else is gona get a better home just like everyone else gets a better PS store!!!! Nearly all my friend list are American!!!
Jonah Falcon @ Jul 17th 2008 5:20AM
1. PSN is free, so you have no right to complain.
2. If you want open regions, Sony has to buy servers. Servers cost money. You'll have to pay a fee to use them.
Either you have free PSN and this or you pay for it and get better service.
raymond @ Jul 17th 2008 7:48AM
Actually we DO have a reason to complain. We the CUSTOMER are what sustain Sony across its many product lines and keep it in business by us purchasing their products with the features we want. Imagine if all Consumer Electronics companies devised a universal docking connector for Cell phones, Mp3 players, PDA's, etc. This resulted from customers WANTING a better, seamless experience interfacing their myriad personal electronic devices. Now what do you think would happen if Sony said "Ble, lets stay proprietary on our devices" What would, and is happening in Sony's case, is that you'll sell product but you'll never get the sales that you could have reached by being compatible with all the rest of the CE landscape. Oh and in regards to Sony having to buy more servers thats a moot point you make, they already will have to add server capacity whether Home is or isn't Region Locked. Same hardware Infractsure, just different configuration of said servers.