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We all know about the joys of importing- you get faster games sooner and with a larger choice. But what do manufacturers think of importing...
Well, it depends on the manufacturer. Take Sega for example...
Having the DC using Gigabyte discs to store games, it was assumed (with good reason) that games could never be copied onto GDs... you simply cannot buy GD writers!
So, Sega went easy on importers. Rather than employ the tactics of Sony by changing the console chip design every few months (thus making old models of chips redundant), Sega kept the same design for most of the console's life. With the Japanese DC sales not being great, Sega worked out that making it easy for people to buy imported Japanese games would be a good thing. They even went as far as drawing up plans to release a regionless DC for the Asian market that would allow gamers to chose the region from where they buy games depending on their language.
Now, Sony have the completely different view...
Using easy to copy CDs and DVDs as a storage for games, it is clear that every so often someone would crack the security codes on games. So, Sony change all their security codes (on the hardware) every few months. They even refine the design of the console so that chips wouldn't fit in the back on new models... until new chips are developed.
In addition to this, Sony want to control the market. They have no need to increase sales in Japan by allowing importing in the same way as Sega did, and so only want people to buy games in their own region. After all, they get far more profits from games sold in the UK! Also, it means they can control release dates of games (like MGS2) to coincide with major events in the gaming world (the release of the GC).
Sonic
Well, it depends on the manufacturer. Take Sega for example...
Having the DC using Gigabyte discs to store games, it was assumed (with good reason) that games could never be copied onto GDs... you simply cannot buy GD writers!
So, Sega went easy on importers. Rather than employ the tactics of Sony by changing the console chip design every few months (thus making old models of chips redundant), Sega kept the same design for most of the console's life. With the Japanese DC sales not being great, Sega worked out that making it easy for people to buy imported Japanese games would be a good thing. They even went as far as drawing up plans to release a regionless DC for the Asian market that would allow gamers to chose the region from where they buy games depending on their language.
Now, Sony have the completely different view...
Using easy to copy CDs and DVDs as a storage for games, it is clear that every so often someone would crack the security codes on games. So, Sony change all their security codes (on the hardware) every few months. They even refine the design of the console so that chips wouldn't fit in the back on new models... until new chips are developed.
In addition to this, Sony want to control the market. They have no need to increase sales in Japan by allowing importing in the same way as Sega did, and so only want people to buy games in their own region. After all, they get far more profits from games sold in the UK! Also, it means they can control release dates of games (like MGS2) to coincide with major events in the gaming world (the release of the GC).
Sonic
Page:
I think Nintendo have got their plans spot on to be honest. The machine is very easy to mod – simply a case of putting a switch between two jumpers inside the machine. This then effectively allows you to chose between a US and Jap Cube. Even to the point of have the on-screen menu’s in either English (for the US version) or jap (for the errr, Jap version) – hell if you put the thing into jap ‘mode’ it wont even play US games and visa versa!
I’m pretty sure that when the UK cube is released it’ll be able to have a similar mode which will allows you to select either US/Jap or Euro mode – a three way switch perhaps? This means that if you want to buy import games you can – cool for getting big releases like Mario Sunshine and Zelda which will obviously be released stateside before the Euro market.
However, Nintendo don’t need to worry about piracy! You can’t buy the small CD-like discs used in the Gcube unless you are a developer and even if the game is ripped and burnt onto a CD or DVD you still couldn’t use it in a GameCube as the discs are simply to big. They physically won’t fit inside the machine!
So the only way you’re going to be able to play a copied Gcube game is to get the Panasonic Cube (which can play DVD’s and is therefore bigger and could then obviously accommodate a copied CD/DVD! And because this is a Japan only machine, yes you can get them on import but they are both pricey and not available in huge numbers, it’s not a major headache.
Doing this means that a mod chip for a GameCube is simply not need, if you want to play import games all you need do is fit the switch, you don’t need to mod the machine like a PS2 and if you don’t need to mod the machine for imports, while else would you want to bother!? Unless you wanted to play pirate games – and any company who develop a mod such as this can’t hide behind the ‘ oh it supposed to be used for playing import games’ excuse.
A master stroke by the big N.
Import games if you want them, a machine that uses discs smaller than CD/DVD’s and there for they won’t fit, and best of all, if so mod company try anything dodgy Nintendo will have a clear case against them as the mod would so obviously there for illegal activities!
Nice one jimmy Nintendo!
I’m pretty sure that when the UK cube is released it’ll be able to have a similar mode which will allows you to select either US/Jap or Euro mode – a three way switch perhaps? This means that if you want to buy import games you can – cool for getting big releases like Mario Sunshine and Zelda which will obviously be released stateside before the Euro market.
However, Nintendo don’t need to worry about piracy! You can’t buy the small CD-like discs used in the Gcube unless you are a developer and even if the game is ripped and burnt onto a CD or DVD you still couldn’t use it in a GameCube as the discs are simply to big. They physically won’t fit inside the machine!
So the only way you’re going to be able to play a copied Gcube game is to get the Panasonic Cube (which can play DVD’s and is therefore bigger and could then obviously accommodate a copied CD/DVD! And because this is a Japan only machine, yes you can get them on import but they are both pricey and not available in huge numbers, it’s not a major headache.
Doing this means that a mod chip for a GameCube is simply not need, if you want to play import games all you need do is fit the switch, you don’t need to mod the machine like a PS2 and if you don’t need to mod the machine for imports, while else would you want to bother!? Unless you wanted to play pirate games – and any company who develop a mod such as this can’t hide behind the ‘ oh it supposed to be used for playing import games’ excuse.
A master stroke by the big N.
Import games if you want them, a machine that uses discs smaller than CD/DVD’s and there for they won’t fit, and best of all, if so mod company try anything dodgy Nintendo will have a clear case against them as the mod would so obviously there for illegal activities!
Nice one jimmy Nintendo!
We all know about the joys of importing- you get faster games sooner and with a larger choice. But what do manufacturers think of importing...
Well, it depends on the manufacturer. Take Sega for example...
Having the DC using Gigabyte discs to store games, it was assumed (with good reason) that games could never be copied onto GDs... you simply cannot buy GD writers!
So, Sega went easy on importers. Rather than employ the tactics of Sony by changing the console chip design every few months (thus making old models of chips redundant), Sega kept the same design for most of the console's life. With the Japanese DC sales not being great, Sega worked out that making it easy for people to buy imported Japanese games would be a good thing. They even went as far as drawing up plans to release a regionless DC for the Asian market that would allow gamers to chose the region from where they buy games depending on their language.
Now, Sony have the completely different view...
Using easy to copy CDs and DVDs as a storage for games, it is clear that every so often someone would crack the security codes on games. So, Sony change all their security codes (on the hardware) every few months. They even refine the design of the console so that chips wouldn't fit in the back on new models... until new chips are developed.
In addition to this, Sony want to control the market. They have no need to increase sales in Japan by allowing importing in the same way as Sega did, and so only want people to buy games in their own region. After all, they get far more profits from games sold in the UK! Also, it means they can control release dates of games (like MGS2) to coincide with major events in the gaming world (the release of the GC).
Sonic
Well, it depends on the manufacturer. Take Sega for example...
Having the DC using Gigabyte discs to store games, it was assumed (with good reason) that games could never be copied onto GDs... you simply cannot buy GD writers!
So, Sega went easy on importers. Rather than employ the tactics of Sony by changing the console chip design every few months (thus making old models of chips redundant), Sega kept the same design for most of the console's life. With the Japanese DC sales not being great, Sega worked out that making it easy for people to buy imported Japanese games would be a good thing. They even went as far as drawing up plans to release a regionless DC for the Asian market that would allow gamers to chose the region from where they buy games depending on their language.
Now, Sony have the completely different view...
Using easy to copy CDs and DVDs as a storage for games, it is clear that every so often someone would crack the security codes on games. So, Sony change all their security codes (on the hardware) every few months. They even refine the design of the console so that chips wouldn't fit in the back on new models... until new chips are developed.
In addition to this, Sony want to control the market. They have no need to increase sales in Japan by allowing importing in the same way as Sega did, and so only want people to buy games in their own region. After all, they get far more profits from games sold in the UK! Also, it means they can control release dates of games (like MGS2) to coincide with major events in the gaming world (the release of the GC).
Sonic
Page: