Questions that really need to be asked (PS3 related)

[MasaC]

I write these in hope that some game journalist will pick up these and ask them next time the'y meet a Sony rep. In interview after interview I feel these questions keep getting neglected. Please feel free to add questions you feel really needs to be answered.

1. Will PS1/PS2 games be region free on PS3, i.e can I play US/Japanese PS1/PS2 games on an European PS3 retail unit and vice versa?

2. Will there be a Linux distro for the PS3? If so, how will it work?

 

[Npl]

the first is obvious: region locks are applied to Games and not Hardware. You cant change the intended region afterwards, even if it would be possible to ignore it - but that would open alot of legal & political trouble.

 

[pcostabel]

2. Will there be a Linux distro for the PS3? If so, how will it work?

Yes, it has been confirmed that Linux will come with the PS3, possibly preinstalled. I assume it will work like on the PS2, except you will probably be able to boot into it from the XMB instead of needing a boot disc.

 

[inefficient]

the first is obvious: region locks are applied to Games and not Hardware. You cant change the intended region afterwards, even if it would be possible to ignore it - but that would open alot of legal & political trouble.

You can not enforce a region lock without hardware.

 

[DeanA]

You can not enforce a region lock without hardware.

This simply isn't true. It's quite possible to enforce a region lock through NVRAM settings, the console firmware, and identifiers in the executable software. Infact, that's exactly how the Xbox (1, not 360) did it.

Nowadays there's no reason to have specialised region locking hardware (CD/DVD microcontrollers etc), as the level of application encryption and console firmware complexity mean it can all be done in software. Which is a winner cost-wise when it comes to manufacturing.. all the hardware can be identical.

Dean