Why are consoles region locked?

[Rayquarian]

It makes no sense to me for a company to stop you from playing certain games on your console because they are in a different language.  I may be bilingual for all they know!

[Tupin]

If you import the Japanese version, the Japanese division gets the money, not the American division.

[yes.derek]

^{I may be bilingual for all they know!}

[BOSSNIG]

Because the company in your country wont get the money, buy a mod chip if you want it that bad.

[Rayquarian]

Because the company i your country wont get the money, buy a mod chip if you want it that bad.

No, I'm not modding my Wii.
Plus, I wasn't planning on importing anything.  I was just wondering why.

[BOSSNIG]

Because the company i your country wont get the money, buy a mod chip if you want it that bad.

No, I'm not modding my Wii.
Plus, I wasn't planning on importing anything.  I was just wondering why.

I didn't say you had to, just saying :x. Hopefully they can invent a mod device that plugs into a USB or SD port/slot.

[JMV]

I'm tired of answering this on a monthly basis.

profit profit profit

[Friendly Hostile]

I'm tired of answering this on a monthly basis.

profit profit profit

1) Develop Game
2) Develop it in different languages
3) Make each version only playable on specific consoles
4) ???
5) Profit!

[extraz]

 I don't know why.....I really wish they were'nt

[Lotos]

Because the company i your country wont get the money, buy a mod chip if you want it that bad.

No, I'm not modding my Wii.
Plus, I wasn't planning on importing anything.  I was just wondering why.

I didn't say you had to, just saying :x. Hopefully they can invent a mod device that plugs into a USB or SD port/slot.

The USB one would be godly, as if I recall correctly, photos from Brawl can be stored on the SD too, so I'd like to access my SD if using an imported game.

[ME86]

Some games have different publishers in different regions, say if everyone in Europe purchased the American edition of Final Fantasy XII, the European publisher of Final Fantasy XII, Ubisoft, would have made no money.

[ME86]

Oh, and I should add, not every console is locked, PSP and PlayStation 3 games are region free and I believe Dreamcast games had to choice to region protect or not.