SCEI has just refined its PlayStation 2 in an attempt to prevent peripheral companies exploiting its hardware. The new models, SCPH 30000 and SCPH 35000 prevent Datel’s recently released DVD Region X and Action Replay 2 from working on the new console.
But Datel has matched Sony’s attempts by launching updated versions that will work with the new hardware. Action Replay remains identical except for the new compatibility. But DVD Region X, software that allows its consumers to play DVDs from any region, now comes with just a CD; a modified memory card is no longer necessary.
Clearly, Sony are trying to make PS2 an attractive platform for game and movie software publishers to support. But what publishers want, and what consumers want are not necessarily the same thing, and that opens the door for companies like Datel.
Region coding is a bad thing. The softies need to realise that what we want is simultaneous worldwide launches, both for movies and for games.
But Datel has matched Sony’s attempts by launching updated versions that will work with the new hardware. Action Replay remains identical except for the new compatibility. But DVD Region X, software that allows its consumers to play DVDs from any region, now comes with just a CD; a modified memory card is no longer necessary.
Clearly, Sony are trying to make PS2 an attractive platform for game and movie software publishers to support. But what publishers want, and what consumers want are not necessarily the same thing, and that opens the door for companies like Datel.
Region coding is a bad thing. The softies need to realise that what we want is simultaneous worldwide launches, both for movies and for games.
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