Posted on 25 Sep 2012 at 11:28
Nintendo has confirmed that its upcoming next-generation Wii U games console will feature a region locking system that prevents imported games from working.
A common feature across most Nintendo consoles throughout the years has been a region-lock system that prevents consoles from one country playing games from another. If you bought a UK Nintendo Entertainment System, for example, you would find that Japanese Famicom games physically wouldn't fit in the cartridge slot. GameCube owners had no fitting the tiny optical discs used by that console, but a software-based protection system would reject games designed for a different market.
With the Wii U, Nintendo is hoping to capture a bigger slice of the so-called 'hardcore' gaming market than its previous console which was more popular with 'casual' gamers. However, the company could be hurting its chances by sticking with a region-locking policy its competitors have all-but abandoned.
Nintendo's competitors have similar systems in place, but typically leave the decision on whether a game should feature region locking to the developers themselves. As a result, it's possible to buy many Japanese or US Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 games and use them on a UK console. For its PlayStation Vita, Sony has even gone so far as to make it completely region-free for all games.
Nintendo has confirmed to gaming news site CVG that the Wii U won't be so lucky: all games published on the platform will be region-locked and only playable on a console from the same country. With Nintendo consoles often attracting Japanese publishers that release games only in their native country, it's a move which could leave the hardcore - who often import such games - looking at the company's competitors for their next games console.
The Wii U, Nintendo's successor to the innovative motion-controlled Wii console, is due for release in November in the UK. Although it brings the same Wiimote motion-sensing control system as the original Wii, the Wii U also bundles a touch-sensitive tablet-style controller that Nintendo promises will be used to extend the gaming experience above and beyond what was possible with the Wii.
Author: Gareth Halfacree
school cancellations bald barbie peoples choice awards deplorable mls draft khloe kardashian mark davis
No comments:
Post a Comment