PS3 to be region free

PS3 News | Phill Harrison confirms it, along with some other PS3-related news, at GDC.

During a Q&A session following Sony's GDC keynote speech, Sony Computer Entertainment president Phil Harrison confirmed that the PlayStation 3 would be region free for gaming. PAL gamers rejoice!

It is believed that the reason for this is to help combat piracy - importing is the one justification for mod chips and swap-discs, but with region locking no longer a problem, it will be easier to crack down on the pirates. On top of this, games will be able to be released simultaneously worldwide. Of course, this could cause issues on 50hz games played on 60hz televisions, and vice-versa. But, with most recent TVs this should not be an issue.

More details on Sony's online service were also revealed. It will be available at the console's launch, with a free service available. There will also be downloadable content, as well as 'micropayments', which can be used to buy small game features. Video chat will be supported, while messages and contact lists are a given.

Harrison also had a few other bits and pieces during his speech at GC. The 'final' PS3 design - including the controller - will be revealed in May. At E3, no doubt. Game footage was also shown - namely of Ratchet & Clank, Warhawk, Resistance and Motorstorm, along with various others, as we reported here.

We'll have more as it filters out of the conference.

Related Content

PS3 Worldwide launch in November
15 Mar, 2006 Full summary of Ken Kutaragi's speech, with a worldwide launch - including Australia and Europe.

NOW CONFIRMED: PS3 delayed until November
15 Mar, 2006 Says Japanese newspaper.

Sony confirm Tokyo press conference
15 Mar, 2006 Possible pre-E3 PS3 proclamations?

24 Comments

Nev

3 years ago

Geez, I don't know about you guys, but every time I hear something new about the PS3, it's something amazing that makes me need it more than oxygen (or caffeine, which is MY oxygen).

No region coding
Australian launch in November
Awesome graphics (real-time gameplay videos look as good as the E3 videos)
Extensive online service with movies, game downloads

Now the only obstacle is the price... that's one thing I am NOT looking forward to finding out...

ObsoletE

3 years ago

makes sense imo.

still, it's nice to have it confirmed. could this mean that local PS3 game prices will have to remain competitive with overseas markets?

probably not, since i imagine the majority of gamers don't pay too much attention.

plufim

3 years ago

Well, I doubt we'll get the price until at least E3.

Btw, something you guys have missed so far:
http://www.etoychest.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3955&Itemid=99999999

"One that that did come out of Harrison's keynote address at GDC was that a newly redesigned PlayStation 3 controlled will be unveiled at E3 in May. Nothing more was said about this, other than the controller's redesign had nothing to do with the Immersion lawsuit over patented rumble technology. Thanks to Kotaku for the tip."

THANK GOD.

Nick

3 years ago

Sony has just gone up in my books. I don't like the idea of getting any of my machines chipped (As I've had a friend go through 4 PS2's trying that process) so this is great.

I just hope their launch titles have some gems in it (unlike the PS2's launch >.>)

EvilHayama

3 years ago

Excellent news about the Region coding, maybe I'll only need one Playstation this time XD

I hope the micropayment thing doesn't mean you buy a game and then are almost forced to buy extra stuff to be competetive.

LeonJ

3 years ago

*screams like a little girl*

OK, Sony has got me now. I was going to have to import one from the US, but now you've gone and made me happy. Where do I sign?

plufim

3 years ago

I'm a little cautious about the region free - does sony enforce this on all publishers, or is it up to them, xbox360 style?

838 La

3 years ago

Hmmm...
Makes me want to get a PS3 more & more...
It won't be happening anytime soon though, maybe in late 2007 or when something exlucive like GTA whatever.

thebigm

3 years ago

plufim wrote

I'm a little cautious about the region free - does sony enforce this on all publishers, or is it up to them, xbox360 style?

I've heard 360 style, which is dissapointing, why can't we have region free like handhelds...

New controller, any bets on what it's going to resemble.

DancesInUnderwear

3 years ago

Excellent. All good news, especially that the controller is changing.

InvivnI

3 years ago

The PSP had no region locking for games so it seems that Sony has been planning no locking for a while. I'm very happy with this new development, importing new games via ebay is so much cheaper than buying them off the shelves.

By the way I thought the controller, while ugly, was probably comfortable. Just look at the N64 controller, that was hardly pretty, but it worked well.

plufim

3 years ago

InvivnI wrote

The PSP had no region locking for games so it seems that Sony has been planning no locking for a while.

Not necessarily - the PSP is a portable, and since all other portables are region free, region locking it would have caused an outcry.

InvivnI wrote

By the way I thought the controller, while ugly, was probably comfortable. Just look at the N64 controller, that was hardly pretty, but it worked well.

I often considered that, but when I found out just how small it was, I figured that for my hands it would never work. It was like an anti-xbox controller.

Capoeira

3 years ago

Damn me but I think I'm actually getting hyped for the machine now... I haven't seen any of that gameplay footage just yet so I'd say my hype level can only go up from here.

Region Free! Great move Sony. You've convinced me. Like everyone else however, I just hope the price doesn't send us all crashing back down to earth again.

ZNMS

3 years ago

Region free is music to my ears.

Matt Bassos

3 years ago

Region free and new controller?!?!

Urge for Sony machine over Microsoft... rising..

ultracrazy1

3 years ago

I'm wondering if it means we can play PS2 games from any region on the PS3....

Denny

3 years ago

I love you Sony. I want your babies.

ObsoletE

3 years ago

ultracrazy1 wrote

I'm wondering if it means we can play PS2 games from any region on the PS3....

ooh, hadn't thought of that.

i would assume so, but i guess we'll have to wait and see.

Syb

3 years ago

[EDITED]

k1dcharm

3 years ago

Great news... I love region free.

dc0079

3 years ago

Looks like it's a reaction from them losing the case down here in Australia. Not that it's a bad thing anyway. Hopefully this will also bring the price of games down over here (or maybe up over there?

)

evil_kenshin

3 years ago

well certainly good news to my ears, though just because its region free with ps3 games, doesnt neccesary mean with ps2 or ps1 games but i hope it is

but i can't really see them lowering the price of games over here since not many people import games (then again that may go up now that ps3 is region free)

Jag

3 years ago

i wanna know it it gonna be reigon free and backwards capible does that mean it can play any ps2 games?

Jellyfish

3 years ago

^ It should be Region Free and will play most if not all of your PS1/PS2 games as the PS3's backwards compability isn't completely 100%. Though it should be better then the Xbox 360's. If you don't believe me look at the slide Sony showed, it says "100% ... -if- *** is followed."

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