PS2 RECALL DIFFICULTIES
April 6, 2000

As many people had expected when the recall was announced, the recall of software that allows PlayStation2 consoles to play DVD movies from different regions (more) will be extremely difficult. Sony has been replacing faulty software by mail.

A Sony spokesman said, "In three days we sent out over 1,000 memory cards containing the replacement start-up software." While this shows that the recall is doing some good, it also shows how ineffective it will wind up being (if it's any indication, at this rate, it would take about 9 years to recall everything, by which time PS4 would be coming out).

Difficulties for Sony include the large number of units shipped and that many users are happy with the ability to play foreign DVD's, despite the feature being forbidden under international agreement. This will be even more significantly impacted by the fact that most people in Japan seem to have purchased the PS2 for its DVD capabilities rather than its game playing features. Unless Sony offers PS2 owners some reason to return the software, it will be impossible to recall all of it.

Source: Playstation2 Now