官方就P4U锁区所作出的回应

　　原文：

　　Friends of ATLUS,

　　 The last week brought with it news that Persona°4 Arena? would effectively become the first PlayStation°3 system game to be region-locked. We can today confirm that this is true; the game will be region-locked in all its respective territories of release.

　　 As we’ve ascertained from your impassioned responses online, this is obviously a tremendous frustration for many fans. We understand the various perspectives on the matter. Those who fear this is a slippery slope, the beginning of a dangerous and unnecessary precedent. Those who import foreign hardware for a multitude of reasons and expect to be unlimited in their software selection. Those who aren’t necessarily affected by this issue, but who are principally opposed to it. We are not blind to these concerns and we pledge to grow ever more informed as to exactly what our fans want. It should be added that we were completely unprepared for the force with which the community communicated their disapproval.

　　 There are, however, a few points to clarify. This is NOT the beginning of a new ATLUS policy, nor do we view it as a precedent or a slippery slope. If anything, your determination and dedication to what you believe in has certainly stood in the face of that. This is an isolated case, a situation precipitated by a number of factors, some of which are simply out of our North American hands. Moreover, and perhaps there is no way to convince our fans of this considering the magnitude of the betrayal many are feeling, but we are not doing this out of malice or a desire to control. Allow us to explain.

　　 Persona 4 Arena achieves a number of triumphs for our North American publishing house. For years, our fans have asked us to include dual language audio in our games. Finally, with P4 Arena, we were able to deliver on that desire and include the exact same content as the Japanese release for our North American fans. Moreover, our North American community is often forced to wait months for a localized release (a plight our friends across the Atlantic can relate to). Again, with P4 Arena, we’re able to release within two weeks of Japan. We pushed hard for these things. We know our fans want them–well really, EXPECT them–and we did our best to get as much for our release as possible.

　　 The unforeseen consequence in all of this was that we had a version of our biggest game of the year releasing within a couple weeks in two territories, both identical in content, but at radically different price points. Importing, as great as it is for gamers who otherwise can’t get access to a title, can also cannibalize the performance of a title in one territory to the benefit of another. While we’re all one big ATLUS family, the reality is that the dramatic difference between the Yen and the Dollar makes for a dramatic difference in price. So the decision was made, perhaps at the expense of some of our fans, clearly at the frustration of many, to region-lock Persona 4 Arena.

　　 For many of you, there is no explanation that resonates, no justification that atones for this fact. We can only endeavor to earn back your confidence and, to learn from your arguments. We absolutely recognize the fear that this is the beginning of a trend. We in no way view it as such. Please also keep in mind that the game’s excellent online multiplayer is global, a fact that is in no way affected by the region-lock. Players can compete against fighters from all territories.

　　 A tremendous team of talented developers and artists poured their blood, sweat, and tears into Persona 4 Arena, and every reaction we’ve ever received to the game has shown that those efforts are readily apparent. The decision to region-lock P4 Arena was a business one, one that has very clearly affected how many perceive the project, but we ask you to please not overlook the exceptional efforts of the people behind the game and to work with us through constructive dialogue.

　　 Thank you.

　　翻译：

　　亲爱的ATLUS玩家们，

　　上周有消息说P4U讲成为PS3第一部锁区游戏。今天我们向大家确认这消息的真实性：该游戏将在所有发售地区实行相应锁区。

　　从大家在网上积极热情的留言中我们能看出这个消息令很多fans失望。我们也明白玩家对锁区所持有的种种想法。有人担心这将成为日后PS3游戏一个不好的开端，是日后危险且不必要的锁区措施大量涌现的前兆；有人出于各种原因从国外买入硬件设备并希望在软件选择方面不受限制；有人并不怎么受锁区影响但是认为从原则上应该反对锁区措施……这些担心我们都看在眼里记在心里，并且我们还会更广泛地听取大家的意见，以完美制作出玩家想要的作品。同时必须承认，我们对于玩家群体如此强烈地表达反对的声音准备不足。

　　然而，有些事情我们想澄清一下。本次锁区并不意味着日后ATLUS公司会继续这项政策，也不是任何不良开端的先兆，因为你们的决意和执念无疑会阻止事情向任何不好的方向发展。本次P4U锁区纯粹是个体的独立的时间，其原因也是多方面的，甚至有我们北美部完全无法左右的因素。我知道我们可能无法让那些成千上万感到自己被背叛的fans相信我们的话，但是，我们并不是出于榨取利润或控制游戏销售这样的目的才锁区的。请容我们解释：

　　P4U见证了我们北美宣传部的诸多成就。多年来，fans时常要求我们加入双版本语音，最终在P4U中我们得以满足玩家们的愿望并且在北美版中加入与日版完全一样的语音要素；另一方面，我们北美部总是被要求在日版发售数月后才发行美版（这关乎我们日本同事的日程），而这次P4U在日版发行两周内就会上市。我想说，我们真的为争取到这些付出了诸多努力。我知道我们的玩家想要这些要素，并真心期待这些要素能够实现，而我们已经尽全力在发售美版时让玩家的梦想成真。

　　于是出乎意料的是我们要将我们本年度最重头的游戏在几周内就放到两个市场发行，而两个市场产品内容完全一样但是价格却有很大差异。玩家可以从海外购买更便宜的版本并受益，但是我们却会因此损失一个版本的销售绩效……尽管我们不同海外工作室本是一个ATLUS大家庭，但现实是日元和美元的差异导致游戏售价大为不同。所以尽管知道这会损失部分玩家的利益并让很多人失望，但我们最终还是艰难地决定锁区。

　　对于你们很多人来说，没有什么解释能真正令人信服，也没有什么措施能够补偿。我们只能努力重新赢得你们的信任，并且从你们的反馈中吸取教训。我们完全明白你们对“不良开端”的担心，但我们绝不会让它成为不良开端。同时请你们明白，这个游戏的在线多人对战系统是全球通用的，该系统不受锁区限制。玩家可以真正跨越版本限制与全球各地的高手切磋交流！

　　为P4U这部作品我们倾注了整个天才开发和美工团队的心血、汗水和泪水，而我们收到的关于这个游戏的每一条反馈都是对这些付出最好的回应。对P4U锁区是个商业政策，并无疑影响了很多人对我们努力的印象，但我恳求你们不要忘记整个游戏背后开发人员超乎寻常的努力，并希望你们继续积极给予我们反馈和支持。

　　谢谢你们。