PlayStation®3 General Discussion

[iDoctec]

I own a PAL PS3

I use HD

Apparently that means i can play NTSC games.

I intend on buying some NTSC games, however i wanted to check first whether this effects the DLC and/or the online playability for these games.

Mainly concerned about GTA IV.

[Renze]

PAL and NTSC are obsolete analog television broadcast standards, no longer in use with digital TV. In regards to games, they were released (on older consoles) to either run in PAL or NTSC.

Nowadays, we don't use PAL or NTSC to describe where the games come from. They're all done by region now. Are you intending to buy games from another region (I suspect the US from your referral to NTSC)? If so, be aware that you will also have to purchase the DLC from the US Playstation Store, as DLC is locked by region in order to match ratings and classifications.

[iDoctec]

the site is www.nzgameshop.com

most nz sites use .co.nz

 im not sure if they are located locally due to the url

they do not state the region but they state full compatibility with pal sytems and the game is an ntsc version

qouted from: http://www.nzgameshop.com/ps3-games/grand-theft-auto-iv-4-gta-game-platinum-ps3--

"Product Description

Please note: this is the NTSC version of the game which is fully compatible with PAL systems. 

Free roam environment.
Rockstar social club.
Add on (expansion) content available.
Online multiplayer with 15 modes of play and up to 16 players."

either they arent telling me something, or this is an issue nobody has come across so far as i cannot find any relevant info. 

not sure if this is any help 

if aybody can help it would be much appreciated

im guessing i need to contact the seller and find out what region this version is they are selling? same with any other games i buy from them.

also any advice for this scenario ,for example:

i buy a US version of GTA IV

 i live and bought my ps3 in new zealand

i try to download DLC and/or play online

1. is it possible to download DLC for USA games even tho im in nz? since i cant download it from the nz store 

2. i realise i can play USA games etc, but does this mean i can play online? 

[Renze]

Games are not locked by region, but DLC is (so that ratings and classifications match the games released in each region). You can buy a game from any region and play it on your PS3, but any DLC for that game will have to be purchased from the same region the game was released for.

In answer to your questions:

1: You will need a US PSN (now SEN) account (don't ask me how to create one, as doing this is frowned upon) with funds added via a US PSN card in order to purchase DLC from the US Store.

2: Online play is not restricted by region, unless the game comes with an online pass code (GTA IV does not). If the game has an online pass code, it can only be activated in the game's region.

If the shop is still using PAL and NTSC to denote which region the game is for, then they are idiots and don't know what those acronyms mean.

[iDoctec]

Thanks for your help, much appreciated.

Does the region of a game that doesn't require an online passcode, affect game updates etc?

(if i bought this GTA IV would i be able to download updates for the game so i can sign in and play online, or are updates region locked also)

Sorry if it seems a dumb question to you, i have only just recently converted from being g a PC gamer so im new to the whole PSN thing.

[Renze]

As far as I am aware, updates are not region locked. But since I don't own any out-of-region games I cannot confirm this. Can anyone else chime in on this?

[SonicHedgie]

Renze is correct, Game patches/updated are not region locked. I can confirm this as I own 30+ US games and 10+ Jap including many which were never released in Aus, yet still update without issue (using an AU PSN Account too).