Sony Blamed For Closure of Lik Sang
Lik-Sang closes doors under weight of Sony Law Suits
Yet another reason to wait for March for your PS3
This afternoon, UK time, Hong Kong-based retailer, Lik Sang, shut up shop. It claims via a press release that the termination of its business is a direct result of multiple legal battles with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE).
It blames SCEE’s multiple lawsuits seeking to curtail ‘grey imports’ brokered by Lik Sang into Europe using the much vaunted, well, Internet; and the often hailed and free global market.
UPDATE
Sony has released its own press release via industry journal MCV. In it SCEE claims 'sour grapes' as Lik Sang's main reason for lashing out at its court actions, “Sony Computer Entertainment successfully sued Pacific Game Technology (Holding) Limited (one of who's company trading names is Lik Sang.com) for infringing our Intellectual Property rights. Lik Sang did not contest this case (ie. they did not turn up and therefore incurred no legal costs). We have been awarded substantial costs against Lik Sang which have not been paid. We would therefore strongly deny that our actions have had anything to do with this website closing (we assume the legal entity is still trading) and would suggest that this release is sour grapes on behalf of Lik Sang which is aimed to belittle Sony Computer Entertainment and the British judicial system that ruled against them.”
The company also responded to the Lik Sang 'Grey List' of senior SCEE employees who were named as using the Hong Kong retailer to source PSPs, "The purchasing of PSP consoles by SCE employees would be for investigatory purposes. We would also like to express our surprise at a company releasing personal information about its consumers, as this is contrary to data protection principles around the world".
SPOnG contacted Lik Sang in order to get the behind the scenes view of the demolition of a trading company. The initial response from the company's former marketing manager, Pascal Clarysse, is, as you would expect, to the point, "It's midnight here, and we are wrapping up after a very stressful day (in fact after four very stressful days: as you can imagine, closing Lik Sang is not an easy task and needs a lot of care and caution in order to avoid anybody getting hurt in the process."
SPOnG will be following up tomorrow - so stay tuned.
In the bitter press release, Lik Sang took a parting shot at Sony’s European wing, “Furthermore, Sony have (sic) failed to disclose to the London High Court that not only the world wide gaming community in more than 100 countries relied on Lik-Sang for their gaming needs, but also Sony Europe's very own top directors repeatedly got their Sony PSP hard or software imports in nicely packed Lik-Sang parcels with free Lik-Sang Mugs or Lik-Sang Badge Holders, starting just two days after Japan's official release, as early as 14th of December 2004 (more than nine months earlier than the legal action). The list of PSP related Sony Europe orders reads like the who's who of the videogames industry, and includes Ray Maguire (Managing Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd), Alan Duncan (UK Marketing Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd), Chris Sorrell (Creative Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd), Rob Parkin (Development Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited), just to name a few.
We spoke with one SPOnG's insider sources at SCEE who wishes to remain anonymous because he or she wants retain his or her employment. He (or indeed she) had the following to say, "Hahahahahaha!" Before continuing in more serious vein, "I have to admit to having bought tons of stuff myself from Lik-Sang, like pretty much everyone else I know who loves games, but I'm sure that legitimate UK retailers will welcome this news."
Another anonymous SCEE voice was a trifle more circumspect as they quite honestly explained to us that what they did in their private life had nothing to do with their role within the company.
Official sources within the company were more tight-lipped or simply not available as they await the official response, which is promised with some immediacy See Update
Not to be stopped their, SPOnG’s terrier-like London bureau chief approached some of those named on the 'Grey List' for direct comment:
Ray Maguire – not in his office. So SPOnG was batted back to the PR office.
Alan Duncan – Alan’s on holiday and will not be back until Thursday.
Chris Sorrel – “Errr, no comment,” was Chris’, well, no-comment comment.
It looks as if it’s not just SPOnG that is waiting for the official response to be formulated.
The bitterly worded release concluded, baldy, "Blame it on Sony. That's the latest dark spot in their shameful track record as gaming industry leader. The Empire finally 'won', few dominating retailers from the UK probably will rejoice the news, but everybody else in the gaming world lost something today."
The release continued, in more business-like tone, “Lik Sang strongly disagrees with Sony's opinion that their customers need this kind of protection and pointed out that PSP consoles shipped from Lik-Sang contained genuine Sony 100V-240V AC Adapters that carry CE and other safety marks and are compatible world wide. All PSP consoles were in conformity with all EU and UK consumer safety regulations.
“As of today, Lik-Sang.com will not be in the position to accept any new orders and will cancel and refund all existing orders that have already been placed. Furthermore, Lik-Sang is working closely with banks and PayPal to refund any store credits held by the company, and the customer support department is taking care of any open transactions such as pending RMAs or repairs and shipping related matters.”
It blames SCEE’s multiple lawsuits seeking to curtail ‘grey imports’ brokered by Lik Sang into Europe using the much vaunted, well, Internet; and the often hailed and free global market.
UPDATE
Sony has released its own press release via industry journal MCV. In it SCEE claims 'sour grapes' as Lik Sang's main reason for lashing out at its court actions, “Sony Computer Entertainment successfully sued Pacific Game Technology (Holding) Limited (one of who's company trading names is Lik Sang.com) for infringing our Intellectual Property rights. Lik Sang did not contest this case (ie. they did not turn up and therefore incurred no legal costs). We have been awarded substantial costs against Lik Sang which have not been paid. We would therefore strongly deny that our actions have had anything to do with this website closing (we assume the legal entity is still trading) and would suggest that this release is sour grapes on behalf of Lik Sang which is aimed to belittle Sony Computer Entertainment and the British judicial system that ruled against them.”
The company also responded to the Lik Sang 'Grey List' of senior SCEE employees who were named as using the Hong Kong retailer to source PSPs, "The purchasing of PSP consoles by SCE employees would be for investigatory purposes. We would also like to express our surprise at a company releasing personal information about its consumers, as this is contrary to data protection principles around the world".
SPOnG contacted Lik Sang in order to get the behind the scenes view of the demolition of a trading company. The initial response from the company's former marketing manager, Pascal Clarysse, is, as you would expect, to the point, "It's midnight here, and we are wrapping up after a very stressful day (in fact after four very stressful days: as you can imagine, closing Lik Sang is not an easy task and needs a lot of care and caution in order to avoid anybody getting hurt in the process."
SPOnG will be following up tomorrow - so stay tuned.
In the bitter press release, Lik Sang took a parting shot at Sony’s European wing, “Furthermore, Sony have (sic) failed to disclose to the London High Court that not only the world wide gaming community in more than 100 countries relied on Lik-Sang for their gaming needs, but also Sony Europe's very own top directors repeatedly got their Sony PSP hard or software imports in nicely packed Lik-Sang parcels with free Lik-Sang Mugs or Lik-Sang Badge Holders, starting just two days after Japan's official release, as early as 14th of December 2004 (more than nine months earlier than the legal action). The list of PSP related Sony Europe orders reads like the who's who of the videogames industry, and includes Ray Maguire (Managing Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd), Alan Duncan (UK Marketing Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd), Chris Sorrell (Creative Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd), Rob Parkin (Development Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited), just to name a few.
We spoke with one SPOnG's insider sources at SCEE who wishes to remain anonymous because he or she wants retain his or her employment. He (or indeed she) had the following to say, "Hahahahahaha!" Before continuing in more serious vein, "I have to admit to having bought tons of stuff myself from Lik-Sang, like pretty much everyone else I know who loves games, but I'm sure that legitimate UK retailers will welcome this news."
Another anonymous SCEE voice was a trifle more circumspect as they quite honestly explained to us that what they did in their private life had nothing to do with their role within the company.
Official sources within the company were more tight-lipped or simply not available as they await the official response, which is promised with some immediacy See Update
Not to be stopped their, SPOnG’s terrier-like London bureau chief approached some of those named on the 'Grey List' for direct comment:
Ray Maguire – not in his office. So SPOnG was batted back to the PR office.
Alan Duncan – Alan’s on holiday and will not be back until Thursday.
Chris Sorrel – “Errr, no comment,” was Chris’, well, no-comment comment.
It looks as if it’s not just SPOnG that is waiting for the official response to be formulated.
The bitterly worded release concluded, baldy, "Blame it on Sony. That's the latest dark spot in their shameful track record as gaming industry leader. The Empire finally 'won', few dominating retailers from the UK probably will rejoice the news, but everybody else in the gaming world lost something today."
The release continued, in more business-like tone, “Lik Sang strongly disagrees with Sony's opinion that their customers need this kind of protection and pointed out that PSP consoles shipped from Lik-Sang contained genuine Sony 100V-240V AC Adapters that carry CE and other safety marks and are compatible world wide. All PSP consoles were in conformity with all EU and UK consumer safety regulations.
“As of today, Lik-Sang.com will not be in the position to accept any new orders and will cancel and refund all existing orders that have already been placed. Furthermore, Lik-Sang is working closely with banks and PayPal to refund any store credits held by the company, and the customer support department is taking care of any open transactions such as pending RMAs or repairs and shipping related matters.”
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Comments
Showing the 20 most recent comments. Read all 24.
PreciousRoi 24 Oct 2006 17:55
5/24
If there was such a thing as a global free market you might have a point, but there ain't no such animal. Airbus and the entire Japaneese economy spring to mind... I'm not trying to defend Sony or say that they aren't full of s**t, I just don't see any reason to defend Lik Sang either, they saw an opportunity to make some money, they took it. Now the window of opportunity is closing on them and they're shutting down, likely to protect themselves from losing their ill-gotten gains. If it was all above board they'd call it white imports wouldn't they? It also seems unfair to tar Sony as a whole with this brush, isn't this Sony Europe protecting thier turf from sales that would otherwise be credited to another divison that could have concievably stopped this on the supply side, if they chose? Were I a Sony aficionado in the EU I'd find the release disparity to be more than enough reason to be upset, grey import nonsense being a secondary, and dependant phenomena.
LUPOS 24 Oct 2006 18:02
6/24
Wow, excellent grasp of the issue. What lik sang did wa snot illegal. The only reason it was found to be in a court of law was because Lik sang was unable to afford to put layers agaisnt every suit and the particular case in question was uncontested by lik sang.
Sony claims they did it because they feared consumers would get things that didnt meet the particular regiosn regulatios. however liksang always provided the proper power converters with every import systm they sold, most of the time it was the one manufacutred by sony, or MS etc...
Sony used this as an angle to attack a company they felt was makign money that they shoudl have been making, period.
At present i liek MS because they ar the underdgo and there for go out of there way to cater to me. I get great products at good prices. Sony on the other hand is the leader and feel sthey can exploit that position to their own ends. Another generation or two form now i may be on the other side of the fence. It's called capitalism. Companies suck, you dont by there stuff. Read up on it.
Also, do you actually feel in oposition to every popular feelinf of the gameing comunity, or do you just enjoy spending your days being contrary? Serioulsy fonzi, being an outsider doesnt make you cooler by default.
__________
Sony claims they did it because they feared consumers would get things that didnt meet the particular regiosn regulatios. however liksang always provided the proper power converters with every import systm they sold, most of the time it was the one manufacutred by sony, or MS etc...
Sony used this as an angle to attack a company they felt was makign money that they shoudl have been making, period.
At present i liek MS because they ar the underdgo and there for go out of there way to cater to me. I get great products at good prices. Sony on the other hand is the leader and feel sthey can exploit that position to their own ends. Another generation or two form now i may be on the other side of the fence. It's called capitalism. Companies suck, you dont by there stuff. Read up on it.
Also, do you actually feel in oposition to every popular feelinf of the gameing comunity, or do you just enjoy spending your days being contrary? Serioulsy fonzi, being an outsider doesnt make you cooler by default.
__________
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DoctorDee 24 Oct 2006 18:02
7/24
PreciousRoi wrote:
It also seems unfair to tar Sony as a whole with this brush, isn't this Sony Europe protecting thier turf from sales that would otherwise be credited to another divison that could have concievably stopped this on the supply side, if they chose?
So either they didn't choose, or their Asian "colleagues" elected to keep supplying Lik Sang. But throwing their weight around like this does sit poorly with their global ideals.
As for there not being a global market... there may not be a perfect one, but corporations like Sony are doing their best to "correct" that. Citing Airbus is just a typical US response. what Airbus gets in subsidies, Boeing gets in tax breaks. Both companies and countries are exhibiting protectionism while crying foul at the other's actions.
LUPOS 24 Oct 2006 18:07
8/24
PreciousRoi wrote:
It also seems unfair to tar Sony as a whole with this brush, isn't this Sony Europe protecting thier turf from sales that would otherwise be credited to another divison that could have concievably stopped this on the supply side, if they chose? Were I a Sony aficionado in the EU I'd find the release disparity to be more than enough reason to be upset, grey import nonsense being a secondary, and dependant phenomena.
Wait, so you think sony euope actually gets to make decisions? Now i know ur just tryign to be funny. Sorry i didnt pick up on the sarcasim of all ur post up until this point.
____
PreciousRoi 24 Oct 2006 18:16
9/24
dude seriously, feel free to resent me for pointing this out...but that could have been more legible.
I wouldnt put it the same way, but thats where I stand on MS as well, right now they're giving people what they want, in the face of an entrenched opposition...if the shoe was on the other foot their behavior might change, but for now they're my dog.
I could care less what the "gaming community" thinks about the issue, I don't change my opinions just to be different OR to "fit in". I'm certainly not afraid to disagree. Expecting a corporation to do anything other than what is in its best interests is simply too unrealistic. Of course they're going to take advantage of the system whenever possible...its in their nature, like the scorpion and the frog.
Doc:I dunno, just saw something on Discovery a while back on the A380 or whatever, thats why it sprang to mind...but philosohically I favor tax breaks over subsidies...why bother collecting it if you're only going to give it back? seems like a system with tailormade potential for abuse...not that there aren't plenty of opportunities in our system...
I wouldnt put it the same way, but thats where I stand on MS as well, right now they're giving people what they want, in the face of an entrenched opposition...if the shoe was on the other foot their behavior might change, but for now they're my dog.
I could care less what the "gaming community" thinks about the issue, I don't change my opinions just to be different OR to "fit in". I'm certainly not afraid to disagree. Expecting a corporation to do anything other than what is in its best interests is simply too unrealistic. Of course they're going to take advantage of the system whenever possible...its in their nature, like the scorpion and the frog.
Doc:I dunno, just saw something on Discovery a while back on the A380 or whatever, thats why it sprang to mind...but philosohically I favor tax breaks over subsidies...why bother collecting it if you're only going to give it back? seems like a system with tailormade potential for abuse...not that there aren't plenty of opportunities in our system...
LUPOS 24 Oct 2006 18:32
10/24
PreciousRoi wrote:
dude seriously, feel free to resent me for pointing this out...but that could have been more legible.
No contention there, I'm a lazy bastard when it comes to forum spell checking.
PreciousRoi wrote:
I wouldnt put it the same way, but thats where I stand on MS as well, right now they're giving people what they want, in the face of an entrenched opposition...if the shoe was on the other foot their behavior might change, but for now they're my dog.
Ditto
PreciousRoi wrote:
I could care less what the "gaming community" thinks about the issue, I don't change my opinions just to be different OR to "fit in". I'm certainly not afraid to disagree. Expecting a corporation to do anything other than what is in its best interests is simply too unrealistic. Of course they're going to take advantage of the system whenever possible...its in thier nature, like the scorpion and the frog.
So, you dont think theres anythign wrong with Sony doing what they did? It would be in my best interest to kill anyman with a bigger dick than I or that gets more girls than me, or any other man period really, but that doesnt mean its right or OK for me to do so. I (like all corporations) am made up of humany bits. This is absolute s**t and its a travesty-o-justice that they got away with it.
Lik-sang did nothing wrong except make money by taking advantage of sony's failing when it came to it's customers. Yet you harbor no ill will twords sony over it but feel lik sang got what they diserved?
You say they did soemthing illegal and got shut down for it. But they didnt, they just got railroaded by a copany with more money to spend and an axe to grind.
If you read all the info it's plane to see. My assertion that ur just being contrary stands as you have yet to admit your initial error in judgement. Lik sang was a good company that provided a worthwhile service to people at a reasonable price. Now people are out of jobs because sony is to busy blaming others for the failings rather than geting their perveribial act together.
______
PreciousRoi 24 Oct 2006 19:00
11/24
LUPOS wrote:
No contention there, I'm a lazy bastard when it comes to forum spell checking.
Fair enough, I'm a lazy bastard when it comes to decoding poor spelling and ugly, overused contractions like "ur" best left to text messages.LUPOS wrote:
So, you dont think theres anythign wrong with Sony doing what they did?...(insert random meaningless blather)
Not so much that I don't see anything wrong with it...more I don't see it as anything exceptional or unexpected. Sony did pretty much what any other corporation in their situation would have done. Certainly MS would have.LUPOS wrote:
Lik-sang did nothing wrong except make money by taking advantage of sony's failing when it came to it's customers. Yet you harbor no ill will twords sony over it but feel lik sang got what they diserved?
Not so much they got what they deserved as they got what they knew was coming, they were doing something they knew Sony didn't like and have likely been waiting for this to happen for some time now, happy to make hay while the sun shines.LUPOS wrote:
You say they did soemthing illegal and got shut down for it. But they didnt, they just got railroaded by a copany with more money to spend and an axe to grind.
fine. You still aren't going to convince me that Lik Sang wasn't fully aware of the possibility of this happening. Unless they were stupid, the escape capsule was designed into their HQ from day one.I'm a big fan of first causes...where Sony failed is in not launching in a timely manner worldwide. This grey market stuff and Sony's response are predictable consequences of this, symptoms of the real problem. Solve the real problem and this becomes a non-issue, not so? Just becasue I don't defend Lik Sang doesn't mean I harbor any ill will towards them either, they were taking advantage of an opportunity which presented itself...they knew the risks going in, and no doubt reaped the rewards as long as they could.
LUPOS 24 Oct 2006 20:43
12/24
PreciousRoi wrote:
Fair enough, I'm a lazy bastard when it comes to decoding poor spelling and ugly, overused contractions like "ur" best left to text messages.
I wasn't aware it took longer to read "ur" than it does "your". you have my sympathys.
PreciousRoi wrote:
Not so much that I don't see anything wrong with it...more I don't see it as anything exceptional or unexpected. Sony did pretty much what any other corporation in their situation would have done. Certainly MS would have.
Sony abused their size and resources to msucle out copetition. This is percisely the sort of thing governemtns shoudl take care of. IF not one can ever enter a new market without fear of being smothered by the preexisting competition then the everythigns really going to go to s**t. Travesty of justice and all.
PreciousRoi wrote:
Not so much they got what they deserved as they got what they knew was coming, they were doing something they knew Sony didn't like and have likely been waiting for this to happen for some time now, happy to make hay while the sun shines.
This wasn't a temporary market the eploited for a period of time, this was a worthwhiel business model that fills a need. I work for a company that licenses foreign films and localisies and releases them in the US. Sony cant be troubled to make every game in every language with everylanguge ont he pakcagain and manuals all at once, and they cant be bothered to seel this one unified package to every retailer in every market in the entire world. There is nothign wrong with puttign somethign in the mail for someone and carging a fee for the service. Case in point, there are tons of stores onlien that sell, for example, candies from different countries to places they arent sold. If a web site send me some cadbury cream egg bars for a small fee, shoudl cadbury be able tp put them out of buisness? Just because we sell a localized product doesnt mean peopel shouldnt be aloud to ship a japanese dvd to a guy in a merica with a region free player if said customer wants it. hell, some japanese people living here need that sort of service. Again lik-sang was in no way doign soemthign wrong or illegal. Sony abused its power and manipulated the cort in its favor. Now not only has lik sang been put under but a legal presidence has been set alowing this sort of crap to happen even more easily in the future.
PreciousRoi wrote:
fine. You still aren't going to convince me that Lik Sang wasn't fully aware of the possibility of this happening. Unless they were stupid, the escape capsule was designed into their HQ from day one.
Im sure they where aware that soem giant corporation may coem alogn oen day and rail road them liek ass holes, doesnt make it right. doesnt mena they shoudl have set up shop out of fear of potential retribution. They should be able to trust the governments of the world to keep gian corporatiosn in check. When MS pulled the IE fiasco years back, they where tried for it. Sony will never face such litigation. that is wrong.
PreciousRoi wrote:
I'm a big fan of first causes...where Sony failed is in not launching in a timely manner worldwide. This grey market stuff and Sony's response are predictable consequences of this, symptoms of the real problem. Solve the real problem and this becomes a non-issue, not so? Just becasue I don't defend Lik Sang doesn't mean I harbor any ill will towards them either, they were taking advantage of an opportunity which presented itself...they knew the risks going in, and no doubt reaped the rewards as long as they could.
They repeaed the rewards of runnign a succesfull lawfull business and where put under by a coporation with the resources to out spend them. End of story. You dont seem to grasp the concept. I dont know how to more thuoughly explain it. I'm just goign to go about my buisness and be glad you dont work in law... do you?
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Ditto 24 Oct 2006 21:04
13/24
The purchasing of PSP consoles by SCE employees would be for investigatory purposes.
LOL
PreciousRoi 25 Oct 2006 00:07
14/24
Did I say anything about it taking longer?
Its unsightly and downright rude, and quite frankly makes you look like a subintelligent, subliterate adolescent buffoon. You work for a company that localises stuff and yet can't be bothered to use proper English? What department? Building Maintenance? I wouldn't trust you to proofread the dialouge from a Sylvester Stallone movie. Surely you're doing much of that on purpose in a lame attmept at some kind of sarcasm, if not....I pity you. I honestly don't remember you ever being this much of a goon...have you been drinking heavily or something?
Bah, I can't even stand to look at the garbage you post. You win, I give up...I don't even want to discuss this anymore.
Its unsightly and downright rude, and quite frankly makes you look like a subintelligent, subliterate adolescent buffoon. You work for a company that localises stuff and yet can't be bothered to use proper English? What department? Building Maintenance? I wouldn't trust you to proofread the dialouge from a Sylvester Stallone movie. Surely you're doing much of that on purpose in a lame attmept at some kind of sarcasm, if not....I pity you. I honestly don't remember you ever being this much of a goon...have you been drinking heavily or something?
Bah, I can't even stand to look at the garbage you post. You win, I give up...I don't even want to discuss this anymore.
SCiARA 25 Oct 2006 08:05
15/24
Anyways....
i just hope this isnt the start of something bigger and more companies are forced into closing
i just hope this isnt the start of something bigger and more companies are forced into closing
Dreadknux 25 Oct 2006 08:58
16/24
Wow. This has totally irked me, being an importer and all. I guess this is the end of whatever global market we had, for consumers anyway.
Come on mate, don't call his typing into question just because you lost at this debate. I could read what he was saying and he's right.
The point is, Lik-Sang likely DID know the repercussions this could have - and had they not been beaten to the floor with countless court proceedings by Sony (there wasn't just one), they would have been able to defend their case.
Sony's legal win wasn't a case of 'Lik-Sang was doing something wrong and they got burned'. It was a case of Lik-Sang not being able to defend itself due to not being in court. The reason? Couldn't afford the legal fees, or a lawyer. Leaving Sony to auto-win. This is justice.
Multiple lawsuits by big greedy corporation against small business = totally pwned.
What I find so funny about this is that Sony are pushing this as a REGION-FREE console, are they not? What's the bloody point in marketing that if fans aren't going to be able to take advantage of it?
Man, Sony's PR Campaign is really sucking major balls right now.
Bah, I can't even stand to look at the garbage you post. You win, I give up...I don't even want to discuss this anymore.
Come on mate, don't call his typing into question just because you lost at this debate. I could read what he was saying and he's right.
The point is, Lik-Sang likely DID know the repercussions this could have - and had they not been beaten to the floor with countless court proceedings by Sony (there wasn't just one), they would have been able to defend their case.
Sony's legal win wasn't a case of 'Lik-Sang was doing something wrong and they got burned'. It was a case of Lik-Sang not being able to defend itself due to not being in court. The reason? Couldn't afford the legal fees, or a lawyer. Leaving Sony to auto-win. This is justice.
Multiple lawsuits by big greedy corporation against small business = totally pwned.
What I find so funny about this is that Sony are pushing this as a REGION-FREE console, are they not? What's the bloody point in marketing that if fans aren't going to be able to take advantage of it?
Man, Sony's PR Campaign is really sucking major balls right now.
DoctorDee 25 Oct 2006 10:48
17/24
SCiARA wrote:
I just hope this isnt the start of something bigger and more companies are forced into closing
http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-3zrq-49-en.html
http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-3zrq-49-en.html
The irony of your sig is that Yes Asia have emailed us this morning to state that they will not be selling PS3 pre-orders to Europe.
RiseFromYourGrave 25 Oct 2006 12:54
18/24
im speechless, this is a bad, bad thing in every conceivable way
SCiARA 25 Oct 2006 13:04
19/24
This is another chance for MS to come out and have a dig at Sony - personally, being the Sony hater they've made me, I think its a good thing, its just pushing gamers into buying one of the others and giving HD DVD a head start - both of which will have a negative effect on Sony
Joji 25 Oct 2006 13:04
20/24
I think that's what's also confusing everyone, why indeed create a console that's region free when we can't use it as such?
You know what? I'm glad MS and Nintendo haven't gone all apesh*t like Sony, because it could be in their efforts to not crucify their customers for wanting something they can't get in their region or a little early.
I think these days Nintendo have more respect for the import market. When they see games like Ouendan crossing from import favourite to mainstream sequel it shows that sometimes customers know what they want. Import games also had a part in helping the GC when developers were jumping ship to MS and Sony. You can't always dictate your own agenda first.
MS and Nintendo should be thinking about now attracting those customers now pissed at Sony, it would be so funny if this whole debacle put a few nails in Sony's coffin. They deserve it.
You know what? I'm glad MS and Nintendo haven't gone all apesh*t like Sony, because it could be in their efforts to not crucify their customers for wanting something they can't get in their region or a little early.
I think these days Nintendo have more respect for the import market. When they see games like Ouendan crossing from import favourite to mainstream sequel it shows that sometimes customers know what they want. Import games also had a part in helping the GC when developers were jumping ship to MS and Sony. You can't always dictate your own agenda first.
MS and Nintendo should be thinking about now attracting those customers now pissed at Sony, it would be so funny if this whole debacle put a few nails in Sony's coffin. They deserve it.
PreciousRoi 25 Oct 2006 17:02
21/24
Svend, bubulah, you wound me... You actually doubt that I find that junk painful to gaze upon?
But enough about that, my stand has always been that Sony did exactly what any other (greedy, money-grubbing, unscrupulous) corporation would have done in their place. Theres plenty of other, better reasons to resent Sony. Find fault with the system which allows this not an entity looking out for what it percieves to be its best interests (SCEE) and using the resources at its command to do so. But I've stated this numerous times, and don't feel the need to go over it further.
I do however have a possible ray of sunshine for you. I wouldn't start putting nails in the import scene coffin yet. This issue is about hardware, hardware which is supposed to be released, although not in a timely manner, worldwide. This is what provided the motivation for SCEE's actions.
Software might prove to be a different ball of wax entirely.
I would say that there is a significant likelyhood that Sony will give a stern wag of the finger, accompanied by a sly wink, at software imports of games not planned for release in a given region. It might not even be a bad idea for importers to coordinate with their friendly neighborhood Sony toecutters. Not being into the import scene myself, has there never been a case of an import game creating enough buzz to induce its release in a new region? I know the anime industry uses a similar method to gauge which titles are suitable for consumption here in the States. I'm also sure there will the other, smaller, more nimble options out there for you.
But enough about that, my stand has always been that Sony did exactly what any other (greedy, money-grubbing, unscrupulous) corporation would have done in their place. Theres plenty of other, better reasons to resent Sony. Find fault with the system which allows this not an entity looking out for what it percieves to be its best interests (SCEE) and using the resources at its command to do so. But I've stated this numerous times, and don't feel the need to go over it further.
I do however have a possible ray of sunshine for you. I wouldn't start putting nails in the import scene coffin yet. This issue is about hardware, hardware which is supposed to be released, although not in a timely manner, worldwide. This is what provided the motivation for SCEE's actions.
Software might prove to be a different ball of wax entirely.
I would say that there is a significant likelyhood that Sony will give a stern wag of the finger, accompanied by a sly wink, at software imports of games not planned for release in a given region. It might not even be a bad idea for importers to coordinate with their friendly neighborhood Sony toecutters. Not being into the import scene myself, has there never been a case of an import game creating enough buzz to induce its release in a new region? I know the anime industry uses a similar method to gauge which titles are suitable for consumption here in the States. I'm also sure there will the other, smaller, more nimble options out there for you.
SPInGSPOnG 25 Oct 2006 18:14
22/24
PreciousRoi wrote:
Find fault with the system which allows this not an entity looking out for what it percieves to be its best interests (SCEE) and using the resources at its command to do so.
I do find fault with the system, at all times.
But we have no real leverage on the system, sure we can vote, but does anyone really believe that changes anything. All the parties are fully bought and paid for by their corporate sponors, they are all short term bafoons who want to get out of office wiht a fat wad, a directorship and good after-dinner speakling engagements.
We have leverage on the companies who erected it, and who then hypocritically exploit it though. We can badmoutt them in fora and elect not to buy their merchandise.
PreciousRoi 25 Oct 2006 20:17
23/24
Guess I see badmouthing them in fora and threatening to boycott their products to be as effective as voting...only more tiresome.
I just don't see this as an issue I'd focus attention on.
I will reseve the right to change my opinion on this as new factual information comes my way.
I just don't see this as an issue I'd focus attention on.
I will reseve the right to change my opinion on this as new factual information comes my way.
SCiARA 26 Oct 2006 07:50
24/24
ow well if its not going to make a difference then lets all stop moaning shall we?
What kind of attitude is that to take? A four legged wooly attitude...
What kind of attitude is that to take? A four legged wooly attitude...