Xbox To Use Region-Locked Peripherals 337
Cutriss writes "This newspost over at National Console Supply Exchange seems to leave all the potential Xbox controller-importers in the dust. Apparently the US Xbox will only allow peripherals with a specific USB ID to connect to the console, thus locking out the use of Japanese controllers, which will have different USB IDs."
Update this doesn't mean all peripherals
will be region encoded. Apparently Joypads will
work on both sides of the pond.
So? (Score:4, Insightful)
I don't see the big deal, here. If Japan wants to sell controlers, they'll make them with the appropriate "US" USB settings.
Or people will make an adapter, like the modchip.
Re:So? (Score:2, Insightful)
Would you think differently if it was Sony? Nintendo?
Yes (Score:2)
Re:So? (Score:2)
Reverse engineering is LEGAL under the DMCA (Score:3, Informative)
The UID is proprietary information (similar to a password) and reverse engeneering it is against the law according to the DMCA.
Hold it. The letter of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act specifically permits acts of circumvention that are part of legitimate reverse-engineering for interoperability. From 17 USC 1201(f)(2) [cornell.edu]:
Judge Kaplan made an idiotic mistake in completely ignoring this paragraph.
Re:So? (Score:5, Informative)
USB vendor/product ID has nothing at all to do with "US" USB settings, in fact the only country-specific part of the USB spec is the String (descriptors) which have a lang id [usb.org].
If the X-Box is discriminating based on USB IDs, it is locking out certain Vendors or certain Vendor's products. Most likely they are locking out certain vendors, as the product ID is really up to the Vendor; the Vendor ID is assigned by the USB-IF [usb.org].
Re:So? (Score:2)
And as far as I know this has yet to be tested in court. This is right on up there with region coding on DVDs and may violate trade treaties the same way.
Of course, at least in the US it's still legal to mod your hardware to accept foreign software.
"I don't see the big deal, here. If Japan wants to sell controlers, they'll make them with the appropriate "US" USB"
Without even getting into whether they could or not, should they have to?
Re:So? (Score:2)
First off, I don't feel that the Xbox has been on the market long enough to call it "stable." Remember that even their UltimateTV required patching.
Secondly, I was under the impression that the anti-trust case against Microsoft was partly over how they DID have an inordinate amount of control over PC hardware, or at least its manufacturers.
"What is the difference between this and Apple?"
For one I don't think Apple has regional lock-outs, nor am I aware of special requirements needed to make USB (or even FireWire) hardware beyond fees for the use of their patents.
Also I don't recall Apple ever having a monopoly, let alone having a history of abusing that monopoly to their own advantage. The US courts have found that Microsoft has systematically and repeatedly abused their monopoly over at least the past decade, so why shouldn't we be wary of anything Microsoft does that hurts consumers, no matter how slight they seem? Especially given the history of these anti-consumer practices snowballing in Microsoft's case...
"Why? Because when those poorly designed peripherals fail who shoulders the blame?"
The manufacturer of the peripheral. If your Canon printer breaks you don't call Dell (unless you bought it from Dell and Dell promised to support it).
And when it comes to consoles, I don't recall Nintendo ever getting blamed for sucky peripherals, even ones with Nintendo's "Seal of Quality" on them. Consider the Power Glove.
Re:So? (Score:2, Insightful)
If making an adapter is a DMCA violation, then any of you people out there using computers that spoof the MAC address on the ethernet card in order to connect to your high-speed internet service that only allows a specific MAC address are going to be in violation too....
But I don't think this situation is using technology to get around copy protection....
Re:So? (Score:2)
The DMCA is the back door the "big guys" are using to gain total content control all the way up the supply chain - from content production to consumer use of said content. Normally it would be a violation of anti-monopoly laws for a single company to grab total control of both the production and the distribution channels of a type of product. But with the DMCA they get to do it in a back-door way, by only releasing the details of their copy protection scheme to those manufacturers that agree to enforce their market control schemes. For example if you don't put region encoding or fast-forward suppression into your DVD player, and agree to keep the code secret, you don't get the legal right to the copy protection decrypter. In the past such efforts would have been laughed at by the open-source crowd, who have some pretty good reverse-engineers among them. But now with the DMCA, it doesn't matter that you are smart enough to decrypt the content without the help of the content provider - it's illegal to do so or tell anyone else how they can do it.
So they get control of the consumer's products for content viewing without actually having to own the companies that make the consumer's products, and thereby not triggering anti-monoply laws.
Re:So? (Score:3, Interesting)
Update from the web site (Score:5, Informative)
A lot of e-mails have poured in from other sources and developers these past few hours. A call from an Microsoft employee also came in. The Japanese X-Box joypad should work with USA consoles. We'll confirm this tonight once our suppliers test the joypad with some USA games we shipped them earlier this week. If all is well, then our shipments of Japanese X-Box joypads won't go to waste after all.
Also of note: (Score:5, Funny)
"It isn't fair!" claimed Joey, who says that "Mom wont even give me fifty cents for a game on the X-Box", even after he bought it with his "christmas money".
Microsoft will be handing out the controllers free, but will be requiring that they be brought back into the stores to empty out the quarters that have been filled inside. A microsoft spokesperson commented: "Hell, 50 bucks of change a day gets heavy, you know. You wouldn't want to hold that in your hand, would you? See, we're just making it easier on the consumer!"
Re:Also of note: (Score:3, Funny)
The DoJ and Customs department have announced that Slugs(TM) are in fact a violation of the DMCA...
I see a convertor in the cards (Score:2, Insightful)
$10 says that the import shops are already working on this.
The only good use I would see for this feature is locking out unauthorized perhipherals, especially some that might damage the machine.
But the more paranoid of us probably think it's another monopoly move from the Beast. Which it may well be.
Re:I see a convertor in the cards (Score:2)
Perhaps I labor under a misapprehension... (Score:4, Interesting)
Other than "A Machine We Control Totally", that is.
Is there some kind of incredible controller for the Xbox that is only available in Japan (as the original response controllers for the PSX were)? So that Microsoft doesn't want people to have them because of some other kind of interesting occurance? And how long until someone either finds a way to change the USB ID in the controller firmware, or an enterprising company decides to make their own US-based USB ID controllers that match a local controller that isn't USian? Fairly soon, I would guess.
Re:Perhaps I labor under a misapprehension... (Score:5, Informative)
Only for suitable definitions of sane. The idea of all region locks is that you can charge what each individual market will bear for a product, without worrying that import from a lower-priced region will force you to drop your prices in a more rich region. Classic example, India is poor so DVDs are sold with a much lower markup there, but DVD/CCA/MPAA can't have people importing cheap Indian DVDs and reselling them in the US where the markup is much, much higher. So, they make them incompatible.
In case this sounds ridiculous, it might help to know that it's also illegal in many parts of the world. Australia and the EU are both invsestigating DVD region codes. Google for 'price discrimination', 'market segmentation', or 'price fixing' for all the info you care to absorb.
Re:Perhaps I labor under a misapprehension... (Score:2)
I wonder if companies could successfully file issues with the World Trade Organization to indicate that regionlocks could be considered a 'restraint of trade' issue. There's an idea for someone with deep pockets.....
Re:Perhaps I labor under a misapprehension... (Score:2)
Not true - it isn't about cheap knockoffs (Score:2)
The downside of all this (Score:2)
This is pretty bad news for world trade and may lead to less trade between countries in the long run. Some are going to see this as a good thing (the anti-globalism people), but it can eventually lead to a lot of bad things as well, including increased tariffs and lower profits all around.
The third-world countries won't be affected too much by all this (they ignore the patent laws anyway and have a burgeoning black market in knockoffs), but the first-world countries are gonna suck it up
Re:The downside of all this (Score:2)
Re:Perhaps I labor under a misapprehension... (Score:2)
That will destroy what the USB ID is meant to achieve: A way to discriminate between devices. And if this happens a lot, people writing device drivers will have to care about incompatabilities between different physical devices with the same ID.
This has the potential to hit linux, if some of this devices are used on regular PCs.
Thanx Micro$oft.
Interesting strategy (Score:3, Insightful)
Locked hardware is almost criminal. Unfortunately we're all boned.
Simple Answer... (Score:3, Redundant)
I know you may want one, but the only way to get companies to stop doing this kind of thing is to vote with your wallet. Otherwise, where is their insentive?
Re:Simple Answer... (Score:2)
Better not buy the Playstation 2 either.
Re:Simple Answer... (Score:2)
XBOX != PC (Score:4, Interesting)
When another company does things to try and protect their market share, it's reasonable. When Microsoft does it, it's inherently evil. Remember, Microsoft does *NOT* have a monopoly on the console market, and has to claw it's way into contention.
I'm not a Microsoft fan by any means (MacOS, MacOS X, and Linux all run my household servers/desktops), but I do own an XBox.
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:2, Interesting)
I don't like Microsoft either, and I'd rather be dipped in boiling almond oil than pay money for their space-heater-that-plugs-into-your-tv, but they may have reasons for doing this, other than iron-fisted control over the console and cashflow.
(I know this post is a little at odds with my previous post, but I hadn't read this comment when I posted originally. I think this decision may have been driven by all of the factors people are speculating on, and I still hope that the update to the site in question proves to be accurate.)
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:3, Interesting)
Preservation of artifacts (Score:2)
1.) It prevents people from making backups of works which they purchased for the purpose of preserving their investment. You really should have the right install/run your software from a backup copy and and keep your master copy locked away in your firesafe.
2.) Their should be encouragement to preserve these works (some of them, anyway) for the future, especially since we haven't established the life span of these new media.
On top of this, increases in copyright duration, can remove the incentive to preserve a work for long enough to enter the public domain (so more stuff gets lost forever).
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:5, Insightful)
Oh hooey! This is exactly the same as if a fork manufacturer tried to restrict the brands of pork chops you were allowed to stick it into. Selling a product entitles you to be paid for the product; it does not magically grant you additional rights to dictate to third parties how to conduct their business. That's called an "anticompetitive practice", and the current administration notwithstanding, it's illegal.
Of course, the laws are written for and interpreted by people who are paid by the people who want the laws in the first place, so it's rather academic, but still...
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:2, Troll)
(Cowering in fear of the "Flamebait" mederators...)
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:2)
What? I need a licence to operate an XBox? When did that happen?
And what's with all this rental stuff -- let me pay rent once and KEEP the dang apartment; after all I only have to pay once for a fork!
You want to rent a fork? I can rent one to you for a monthy fee of 10% of the retail cost, plus first and last month's rent, and a security deposit. If you stop paying, I'll take it back and take any money you owe and damages out of your deposits.
Neither of these arguments has any relevence to the XBox. Yes, some of the words are the same (licence, pay, etc.), but the context is completely different.
You rent an apartment, you buy an Xbox. If I want to trash the apartment, the landlord has the right to keep my security deposit. I don't own it. If I trash my XBox... No one has any recourse for my actions. It [is/should be] mine to do with as I please.
(Cowering in fear of the "Flamebait" mederators...)
Personally I think you should cower in fear of the "Overrated" moderators.
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:2)
"Fork" is what it IS, not its function. Likewise, "console" and "joystick" are what they ARE, not their functions.
Some common fork functions...
- piece or scoop food with, on way to mouth
- back scratcher
- faux-finish painting tool
- screwdriver (on edge)
- modern art component
- roach clip
And I'm sure each passing day, people invent new functions for what is known as a "fork".
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:4, Insightful)
Yes the XBOX is a marketed as console (although, as you and I know, it's suspiciously close to a PC). It is, however, the only console to disallow importing peripherals. A joypad bought in Japan is not any less official than one bought in the UK, the USA etc. And what makes you think for that matter that "cheap Taiwanese knockoffs" will not create "cheap joystick knowoffs" with US USB ids?
This is a good example of Microsoft trying to totally control their livingroom PC...
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:2)
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:2)
B) Playstation 2 has region encoding on it's games.
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:2)
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:2)
I do hope that this turns out to be bunk, some made up fanboy rumor based off spec sheets that they didn't understand.
Like most rumors.
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:2)
The uproar doesn't come because MS was apparently trying to lock out "cheap Taiwainese knockoffs" (not to mention high-quality Japanese third-parties like Ascii), the uproar was over the possibility that American software was required by Microsoft to ignore the USB IDs of Japanese controllers, made by Microsoft or not.
If this is actually the case (I find it doubtful that even MS could be so stupid as to discriminate against such a harmless practice as importing a controller), it is the first time that _any_ console manufacturer has ever intentionally region-locked a controller. Nintendo, Sega, and Sony have never done this (good thing...playing fighting games on my Dreamcast and Playstation would be infinitely less fun without the loose d-pad and firm buttons on my Capcom and SNK Ascii FT pads).
< tofuhead >
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:2)
However, they are using a version of its monopoly OS inside this console. I would argue that the XBox therefore should be placed under the same anti-trust restrictions as anything else having to do with their monopoly. They are levereging their monopoly to extend into a new market. If this controller story is true, they are using the controllers to protect their attempt to extend their monopoly.
Putting Windows in the XBox gives them a huge licensing cost advantage, lowers the bar for porting PC games, and raises the bar for competitors in the console market.
If they want the XBox to be free of anti-trust restrictions, that would be fine, and they could do whatever they want to annoy their customers. However, to do this they would have to develop a new OS for the console that has nothing to do with Windows, or buy an OS from another vendor.
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:2)
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:2)
I thought the idea was that anyone could make their own extensions to it? Hence the "eXtensible" Markup Language. The other things were most definitely abused, as is their monopolistic position in the PC/Console crossbread market.
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:5, Insightful)
Oh, that's right. I remember all those posts along the lines of "God bless Nintendo for using proprietary DVD technology to lock out unlicensed 3rd party developers!" I myself have written ballads in praise of Cisco for breaking compatability with other company's routers. And don't forget the kick-ass
Or maybe it's because it didn't happen.
Nice try, but if you want hypocrisy, you'll have to search for it somewhere else. Go check any other article where someone has tried to lock in their market share by locking -out- competitors, and you'll find the only people who thought it was okay -then- are the ones who are saying it's okay for MS to do -now-... Like you.
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:2)
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:2)
For now.
Microsoft has figured out a way figure out allowable USB devices and those that aren't allowed. If Microsoft brought this feature over to their Windows softwre, things could get interesting. The first thing that comes to mind is that Microsoft now has a big stick to enforce driver signing requirements. If you don't play along (ie. make drivers for non-Windows OSes), Windows will forever identify your hardware as a possible security risk (and possibly take action because of it).
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:2)
So if i made up a nice-looking box containing a pentium x processor, some RD RAM, a standard hard disk with my own variation of ReiserFS or something, and a customised mainboard with built-in high-spec video and a standard USB host controller, removed the PS/2 mouse and keyboard connectors, and installed a weird version of Windows (take your pick), i could sell it as a console? It's a cross between a console and a PC I would say. Show me another device like that and I'll accept that MS doesn't have 100^% of the market share.
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:2)
Re:XBOX != PC (Score:2)
(Notes: I'm in Australia so Lik-Sang can still get stuff through to here, however their service sucks -- I bought a hybrid rumble pak / memory pak for my N64 and it doesn't work. Returning it will cost me more than I paid for it, Lik-Sang will not pay for shipping on faulty items. Moreover, the Xbox isn't out here yet and quite frankly I don't have the space for it in my room.)
And it goes without saying.. (Score:2, Insightful)
gg Microsoft
Re:And it goes without saying.. (Score:2)
In fact, by building a competitive controller you are going up against another company in an effort to produce the best product -- this is the basis of capitalism. Microsoft is again executing monopolist strategy, but this time it's a little confusing -- what does Microsoft really have to lose by allowing others to manufacture game controllers? Is the game controller sector really a huge source of MS income? Highly doubt it...
Pot, kettle, black... (Score:2, Insightful)
If Linux did the same sort of thing to MS, people would laud Linux for taking a stand against MS.
Well, MS is taking a stand against foreign competition in their controller market. Big deal, other than the oh so conspicuous fact that it's MS doing it.
No matter what your take on MS, remember, they are a business, and it MAKES BUSINESS sense for them to do this.
One good thing from all this, I believe this will drive the prices down for individual controllers for the X-box, which is a good thing.
Re:Pot, kettle, black... (Score:2)
I'm guessing the prices for controllers will be higher rather than lower.
Re:Pot, kettle, black... (Score:2, Interesting)
Well, my reasoning goes something like this:
MS would be stupid to charge an outrageous price for a spare controller in a market which they "own". The reason I say this is because if they do, then more and more people will look to alternatives, which will in turn decrease sales of MS's controller. So, by lowering prices, they effectively make it not worth hacking.
That's my reasoning, but it's been a long day, so please take it for what it's worth
Re:Pot, kettle, black... (Score:2)
The controllers are disguised USB. As such, while M$ is within their legal rights to include whatever non-standard "features" like differently shaped plugs and occlusion of ranges of USB id's, other companies are also within their rights to make interoperable products without paying royalties if they can impliment in an informationally "clean" environmentn (somewhat easy given that its USB).
I hope I'm not casting pearls before trolls, but I have a feeling I am:)
Re:Pot, kettle, black... (Score:2)
The obvious point here is that Linux is software and the Xbox is hardware. And rather than stopping MS software running on Linux systems the community is actively developing software to allow it (think WINE.)
Or if you were talking about locking out hardware... what!? MS hardware has got quite a good reputation, and rather than lauding such a move, there would be lots of pissed-off Linux users with useless hardware.
I think you're just karma-whoring with the flamebait comment as a bit of reverse psychology.
Re:Pot, kettle, black... (Score:2)
Re:Pot, kettle, black... (Score:2)
But of course that's so groundless as to warrant the adjective "retarded". Or, more accurately, "really, really retarded, not to mention completely imaginary".
The reason no one likes MS is beacuse of this kind of thing. The reason we like companies is because they don't do things like this. If a company we liked did this, we'd probably start not-liking them. Point your eyeballs at the google story and how many people were ready to turn on google based on the baseless suggestion that they would be altering their search results based on sponsorship.
Re:Pot, kettle, black... (Score:2)
Incorrect, my friend. Many things that make 'business sense' are unethical. It makes good 'business sense' to exploit overseas sweatshop labor to lower manufacturing costs. But that's certainly not ethical.
Correct me if I'm wrong... (Score:2)
Not true. (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Not true. (Score:2, Informative)
First hand account. Japanese controller works with US Xbox.
That's interesting, considering the Japanese release for the X-Box is not until 2/22, which puts it at least a day away. Of course, you could have gotten early access to the peripherals, but forgive me if I'm a bit skeptical.
What's the point? (Score:2, Insightful)
Chock this one up to 'annoying the community'.
This just in... (Score:2, Funny)
Change USB ID (Score:5, Informative)
So... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:So... (Score:2)
Soon on Lik-Sang (not really) (Score:2)
US only USB IDs (Score:2, Interesting)
Just my two cents... ^_^
Re:US only USB IDs (Score:3, Interesting)
Any people who are more familiar with USB than I am? Is this a feasible idea?
Why? (Score:2)
Wow, who knew USB would bring this? (Score:2, Interesting)
Now they have done it with USB. This looks like arbitrary restriction, and I can't see why it should be allowed. We really need a strong tech department within the US government to monitor the anti-competitive use of technological advancements.
Of course, lets be sure that department is not the take too...
Coming Soon... (Score:2, Interesting)
Q: What is the role of the US DOJ?
A: A) To promote and smooth the growth of large multinationals; B) To ensure the destruction of subversive whacko religious groups; C)To cuddle up in the Executive's lap and purr contentedly; D) All of the above.
The headline shows the real reason to worry (Score:4, Interesting)
Xbox To Use Region-Locked Peripherals
True, maybe the Japanese controllers will work with the MS consoles, but we need to look beyond the immediate future here.
Hmm, let's think here...
Well, at any rate, it sure makes me nervous. Think about when they start selling region-locked Ethernet, or region locked hard drives, etc. add-ons for the Xbox. Region locking in general is a way for large companies to restrain trade contrary to international agreements. It was never a problem before recently because either (a) nobody thought of it (doubtful) or (b) the technological means to do it weren't around until recently.
DVD's have recently proven (in some people's minds, anyway) that "consumers" (if we're all consumers, who the hell is producing, btw?) will put up with this region locking restraint of trade nonsense. And it's a well known fact that the courts are so far behind in their understanding of technology that they won't figure out what's going on until nobody even remembers the way things used to be. I mean, "Microsoft" and "restraint of trade" -- who would have ever thought of those two words in the same sentence? :-) IOW, this doesn't surprise me in the least.
At least I know which gaming console I won't be buying anytime soon, though! :-)
---Have you crashed Windows XP with a simple printf recently? Try it! [zappadoodle.com]
Re:The headline shows the real reason to worry (Score:2)
Fortunately some countries (e.g. New Zealand) have already banned it.
Obscure Controllers (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Obscure Controllers (Score:2)
Unlicensed peripherals have been a thriving business for years for manufacturers like InterAct, Mad Catz, Nuby, Redant, Innovation, and countless others. Nintendo, Sega, and Sony have never had a problem with them; they just endorse licensed peripherals and allow licensees to use the Nintendo/Sega/etc. logo in their advertising and packaging. Call Nintendo about the GBA, and they will direct you to the Sun Seibu Light Boy Advance light, not the Shark Light or Worm Light or whatever. They just ignore the unlicensed third parties, because they're not doing anything illegal or particularly harmful to the console manufacturers' businesses.
For MS to counter this trend (by enforcing their license and discriminating against unlicensed hardware) would be a first. Region discrimination on software is one thing. License discrimination on software is another. But region and license discrimination on peripheral hardware makes little business sense to me. If they've set up mechanisms by which this could happen, they'd be foolish to implement them. I doubt that they would have, though.
< tofuhead >
What's even the point of this? (Score:2)
I guess so.
I'd like a ticket off this rock now please.
Isn't the pond on our right? (Score:2, Informative)
> region encoded. Apparently Joypads will work on
> both sides of the pond.
I'm sorry, I thought "the pond" generally was understood to mean the Atlantic, as in, "Tea at 5? Sure, I'll just jump in my Concorde and jump 'cross the pond." So do you mean joypads (or are "Joypads" and "joypads" different pond-jumping beasts?) can be imported to the US from the UK and the rest of the EU but not Japan? Horribly confusing.
And yes, for your crazy peeps down under, the subject meant to say "Isn't the pond on our left?"
Shouldn't USB be renamed then? (Score:5, Funny)
Seriously, I can only see one or two reasons why someone would want to implement this region locking:
First, I doubt a domestic company would want to take tech support calls for foreign-made equipment. And, yes, you know some clueless fool will call MS up, waste their time, bitching about why his Far East ContollerPad isn't working. Worse, perhaps they aren't tested to similar standards and could pose a threat to the Xbox. Who knows?
Second, and this is the more insidious one, they might do this because of internal competition, the same reason DVD region locking is used. Regional branches of the same company making the same product may have wildly divergent pricing and release schedules. Since Asia usually gets the cool toys first, the North American division wants to protect its turf by preventing imports of the Asian goods until they can get around to marketing the product domestically. While that makes good business sense, it's typically used to hide a serious case of "head up the ass" when the domestic vendor is slow to put out new products.
Re:Shouldn't USB be renamed then? (Score:2)
Why they make alternate controllers... (Score:2)
Did anyone think that the whole reason why people are buying alternate Xbox controllers is because they are so unwieldy and large that it could crush a small child under the sheer weight of it?
Its really a safety concern when you think about it...
That someone is trying to restrict an individual's safety by blocking overseas sales, well, then, I say, "Yo Ho HO! Avast ye mateys! Come and get me, Customs! ARRRRRGGGGHHH!"
Big deal. PIC's to the rescue. (Score:2)
Open source it, open source the hardware, put it on the web for Taiwanese mfr's to make freely at their own will and bundle with any cheap XBox peripherals they choose.
This sort of region locking is just stupid.
So if you can't stand competition... (Score:2, Insightful)
Seems that nowadays this is the only method of keeping competitors out of reach.
In the good ole times there were the innovators and inventors on the helm. Now all we can see is shivering apparatchiks. Sigh. I thought we went over this already with DVD regions.
What about the DVD playback dongle? (Score:2)
I'm just wondering what would happen if you took a Japanese DVD playback dongle & plugged it into a US Xbox (or vice versa) - would it playback US DVDs, Japanese DVDs, or not work at all?
I'm particularly concerned about regions as I'm a Canadian resident & Xbox owner who's planning to move back to Australia sometime (and I'd kinda like to keep my Xbox)...
regioning (Score:2)
Try again. Get your facts straight /. (Score:2)
This is a SOFTWARE thing. Certain developers/publishers can, if they so choose, employ region locking strategies. This is an OPTION and completely up to the developer/publisher.
It's developers and publishers (especially publishers since the US and JP publishers are almost never the same entity) and lose money off of importing, NOT Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo. Microsoft doesn't give a crap about importing, but some developers may. THEY are the ones who have employed region lockouts in their software.
This is very similar to what Squaresoft did with games such as Dino Crisis and Final Fantasy VIII--which had built-in mod-chip detection and wouldn't let you play the game in a modded system. (Of course, people figured out a way to circumvent it with Gameshark/Pro Action Replay...but that's hardly the point)
I know
-Jayde
Re:Why oh Why? (Score:2)
The controller is just a hunk of plastic, with a few microswitches(?) in it. I'd bet that Microsoft is making a profit on every controller they sell, even with the huge amount of raw materials they have to dump into a controller of that size.
Regardless of whether or not Microsoft is making a profit on controller sales, this is an underhanded thing to do. I'm hoping this is some sort of mistake, and that the update to the site is correct. I would like nothing better than to see the XBox fail miserably, but I'd hate to see consumers (even the ones silly enough to buy an XBox) hurt in the process.
Re:Why oh Why? (Score:2)
I think Immersion might argue differently [slashdot.org]
Re:Why oh Why? (Score:2)
good.
Now use your energy to write letters, paper letter, to your reps,to the pres, to the president of corporation, etc.
Maybe even get other like minded people together.
if you are all ready doing any of this, good for you, keep up the good work.
Re:Well, if you think about it... (Score:2)
Of course, doing this would mean they would have to write drivers for this weird device, which they were probably too lazy to do...
BTW, if you are a big company and you want to prevent competitors from manufacturing peripherals for your product, is there any law that would allow you do to so?
Re:Anti-trust violation? (Score:3, Insightful)
Look, nobody could argue that MS has monopoly power in the gaming console market. Therefore, antotrust law doesn't even enter into it.
Re:Anti-trust violation? (Score:2)
Horsefeathers. This is exactly like region encoding on software, which is done all the time so the licensor can carve the world up into closed markets more easily.
It sucks for the consumer but there isn't anything illegal about it.
Re:Nice (Score:2)
I doubt even Microsoft could force somethign like this on the PC because they don't control the entire distribution of PCs.
Re:Nice (Score:2, Interesting)
So, what are the chances I can hook my controller into a USB port and read the USB ID that it declares.
Re:Please... (Score:2)