This is an original editorial piece proposing the notion of an all international PlayStation Network Store. There are already tons of games that can be imported with ease thanks to the non-region coded gaming nature of Blu Ray gaming on the PS3, but what if digital distribution was easier to import as well?

DS writes, "One of the most appreciated aspects of Sony’s consoles this generation – and this applies to both the PS3 and the PSP – is that, when it comes to games, they are “region free”. What does this mean? For those of you who don’t know, various forms of media are typically locked into one region, and can only be played on devices that originate in that region. If you look on the front and/or back of any DVD or BluRay you purchase in North America, you’ll typically see a “Region 1” somewhere on it. This means that it can only be played in DVD or BluRay players native to “Region 1”, which is basically all of North America.

Now, with games things are typically the same. For example, Microsoft and Nintendo’s consoles are region locked, meaning you either need a console from the region the game originates in, or you need to modify your native region’s console to make it “region free” (which is typically illegal and we absolutely don’t approve of doing this). Then we have the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable. According to Sony, it is left up to the developers whether or not to region lock their games, but the systems themselves don’t require it. That being the case, the vast majority of games for these systems are compatible with any system in the world..."
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  • 1
    Bale Fire Sep 4, 10
    I'd say the main problem is that unlike other platforms, Sony doesn't have an official currency for the Playstation Store. As such prices and deals vary from country to country, and while I'm sure that could be worked around, it would definitely be a difficulty.
  • 1
    redneonfish Sep 4, 10
    Surely a simple way of doing it would be to just put all the same content on the different regional stores? Instead of just having one massive one.
  • 1
    HisServant77 Sep 4, 10
    The problem with a universal store is that different regions have different laws and rights for different games. Some game companies get the rights to distribute their games in this region but not that region. Then when publishing older games, getting the rights to republish them from the makers and all those involved, the problem once again arises that some regions have less red-tape than others, and some companies don't even WANT their games in some regions.

    This is also why if you ask the PSN guys to put certain games on the NA store for us, or the EU store specifically, they cannot just flip a switch and get it done. They must get permission, and go through lots of red tape, depending upon which region and region-specific laws they must go through.

    Therefore, unless we want the VERY limited number of games and things in the store that have gotten permission from ALL regions around the world to release in . . . I'd say a no to a worldwide store. It's nice in theory, but when put to the test it just wouldn't work out

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