Lik-Sang out of business

[chronomaster5042]

 http://www.lik-sang.com/news.php?artc=3901

All I have to say is damn you Sony.

[Kogahazan]

I don't see what Sony Europe's problem is. I would hope Lik-Sang is telling the truth and that their power adaptors conform to world standards, including Europe. Also, they say "Oh, imported PS3s aren't going to be compatable with our PS1 and PS2 games and European Blu-rays." That's the point of importing, to play games you can't find in Europe or games you prefer in NTSC.

What they're doing is essentially censorship. European laws are beyond my American scope, but I would think it would be a universal Western idea that everyone has a right to see what they want to see (keeping it limited to games and movies). If they do this, they may as well ban importing altogether.

I also think it's some plot to try to limit gamers to their paltry PAL selection, a bit of jealousy that gamers' money is going toward a foreign product that they don't have. If they want that cash, they have to get off their ass and get some localization teams to bring it over their way instead of hiring lawyers to shut down companies like Lik-Sang who provide a legitimate service to those who require it.

If their reason for not localizing it is that it's not worth it and it's only a niche thing that won't sell well, then let the little buggers import it. At least they wouldn't lose money from the costs of localizing it. They want it all, don't they. I suppose that's Sony for you.

[bungiefan]

Their big concern is that Sony of Europe, Sony of America, and Sony of Japan don't share money. They are all essentially in competition with each other for customers, and don't want their customer base buying from the other Sonys. Also, Europe tends to get games and consoles the latest, excepting Australia, and for the highest price in equivalent currency. SCEE was pissed that people in Europe were importing PSPs from other countries earlier and for a lower price, and thus SCEE wasn't getting the revenue from the sales. The main purpose of the regional lockout on consoles so far has been to make sure that most people in any given region are stuck paying the branch of the company in their region, at whatever price that branch sets. It's still insane that a court would rule in favor of forcing customers to pay the higher price for their products.

[chronomaster5042]

to bad lik-sang didn't have enough money to fight Sony, they probably could have won.

[supersonic1453]

Wow Sony, could you give me any more reasons to hate you?

[Cless]

Sony is such a shitfaced bastard. "Let's make PSP and PS3 region free! Now let's kill legitimate import shops!"

I'm sick of Sony's antics. I wish they'd just hurry up and go out of business. It's just too sad that most of the best games end up on their game platform. Sigh.

[Cless Aileron]

Sony is such a shitfaced bastard. "Let's make PSP and PS3 region free! Now let's kill legitamate import shops!"

I'm sick of Sony's antics. I wish they'd just hurry up and go out of business. It's just too sad that most of the best games end up on their game platform. Sigh.

Indeed.  I actually think they're going too far with this.  I can say I feel the same about Sony's antics.  Not only that, they are being as arrogant as Nintendo back in the day.

Besides, the PS3 is the system I would get last.  Even then, that would be quite a long time before that happens.  I probably wouldn't even look at it if it wasn't for the fact that Metal Gear Solid 4 is on that system.

[Phren]

Sucks that they don't even make any of the games I want, yet they seem to end up on their system. Failing PSP sales combined with a nice public disinterest right now in the PS3 might topple their used car-priced giant and put them in their place. Heck, they were probably trying to styme Wii sales with this if you consider the timing. If there's ever going to be a time to change the leader, now is it.

Nintendo isn't free of evil dealings, and I've certainly had my hateful moments with them,  but they almost look like a saint right now next to $ony.
: /

[throughhim413]

Indeed.  I actually think they're going too far with this.  I can say I feel the same about Sony's antics.  Not only that, they are being as arrogant as Nintendo back in the day.

Besides, the PS3 is the system I would get last.  Even then, that would be quite a long time before that happens.  I probably wouldn't even look at it if it wasn't for the fact that Metal Gear Solid 4 is on that system.

I agree with you.  As someone who has gamed primarily on the PS1 and PS2 since they first came out, I really have no desire to support Sony any further.  Their business practices are condemnable and the arrogance with which they approach the gaming industry is somewhat absurd.  I wish that the Microsoft would just get Kojima to put MGS4 on the 360 and bury Sony.  I don't say that because I like the XBox, in fact I've never owned one, but I just hate the way Sony does things.  It really sucks that Lik-Sang got caught up in this, but I can't believe that Sony can actually convince people that they're trying to 'protect' them.  Hopefully other online importers won't share the same fate...

[Leroy]

Please.. Lik-Sang pulled this cry-baby shit years ago when under pressure from (was it Nintendo?) over selling mod-chips or GBA copiers or something. "We're going out of business! Pity us!" They could have easily just decided not to ship US/Japan Sony hardware to Europe and continued with their other various services.

[Cless]

Yes. Nintendo had a good reason though. And they cleaned up after that.

What is wrong with importing legitimate goods?

[Magicpaint]

Sony is such a shitfaced bastard. "Let's make PSP and PS3 region free! Now let's kill legitimate import shops!"

I'm sick of Sony's antics. I wish they'd just hurry up and go out of business. It's just too sad that most of the best games end up on their game platform. Sigh.

QFT. I hate them too.

It's ironic that SCEE excecutives were offered PSP through Lik-sang just after the Japanese launch. Hypocrites. I can't stand them.

They should instead be making efforts to stop piracy, which is a far bigger problem and one that I can actually stand by. As someone from Europe, I absolutely despise this news as I import far more than I buy locally.

[Leroy]

Yes. Nintendo had a good reason though. And they cleaned up after that.

What is wrong with importing legitimate goods?

No, I'm not saying Sony is in the right.. as a frequent importer myself I think it's a vile practice to go after a company with these tactics that's servicing, realistically, probably a small customer base. But as I mentioned, Lik-Sang has played the "Pity me!" card before so I'm not going to be quick to panic on behalf of importers that Sony is going to cause some kind of end to it.

[Dimentionalist]

Sony is such a shitfaced bastard. "Let's make PSP and PS3 region free! Now let's kill legitimate import shops!"

I'm sick of Sony's antics. I wish they'd just hurry up and go out of business. It's just too sad that most of the best games end up on their game platform. Sigh.

Exactly. What the freak were they thinking when they make it region free, then kill an import shop?

These guys sure do make the weirdest, dumbest decisions. Then they price their products at a kidney, your girlfriend, your cat, bone marrow and your immortal soul.

[Goshi]

Firstly, from another forum:

SCEE is happy that they are gonna make loads of money on PSP, soon to be released!

SCEI informs SCEE that the EU launch is pushed back. SCEE:

SCEA launches PSP. Joy!

European people gets impatient and import PSPs through Lik-Sang.

SCEE loses money while SCEA makes money. SCEE:

SCEE sues Lik-Sang. SCEE wins. SCEE:

Intraweb:

Also from the announcement itself:

ultimately, we're trying to protect consumers...

HEE HEE HEE, HAH HAH HAH HAH

Lastly:
http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=212

[AHPD]

Regional Customer Competition? Patriotism? SENSELESS!!!
What's wrong with $ony? Order doors closed to protect what?
Customers don't have the right to buy what they want? Now $ony wanna restrict them? Where their heads and sense goes?

And the best games ALWAYS GOES to their plattaform. MONEY MONEY MONEY! I LOVE MONEY! Sony thinks... Sigh...