With a will and two ways, gamers cracked open the Japanese version of Dark Souls 3 to play it in the U.S. and UK ahead of its April 12 release in the west. But while they've found a way to skirt region restriction and to play the Japanese version of the game in English, publisher Bandai Namco is warning that the experience is incomplete.
Armed with the knowledge that the Japanese version of Dark Souls 3 could be set to render English subtitles, gamers discovered two ways to download the region-locked game in the U.S. and UK for the Xbox One.
One approach entails buying Yen Xbox Credit and setting a Japanese address, with many using the location of the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. The other approach involves using PayPal to pay in Yen, along with submitting a valid address to a location in Japan.
After paying in Yen, gamers could then download the Japanese version of the game despite not being physically present in Japan.
Microsoft hasn't stood in the way of the willful Souls fans. However, the company has said that it doesn't condone the actions of those who do. And Bandai Namco hasn't taken measure to actively thwart the eager bunch, though it has issued a warning to them. The company is "very thankful," however, to see so much interest in the game.
"We are aware that some fans in Western countries are currently able to download the international version of the game," the company said in a statement.
For those who skirt region restrictions to play the Japanese version of the game in English and in the west will have an incomplete experience before April 12, said Bandai Namco.
"The international version of the game currently does not have its multiplayer capabilities activated, nor does it include the contents of a planned day-one patch that will deliver further optimization of the game," the company stated. "Players will be able to download the day-one patch on April 12th, the official international release date for Dark Souls III."
Dark Souls 3 launches internationally on April 12 for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
