PQube has announced that Sony, the platform holder of the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita, has prevented them from releasing Omega Labyrinth Z in the West. This includes North America and Europe.
The company made a statement on Twitter on June 25th, 2018 confirming the news.
Please see below the statement on the situation of #OmegaLabyrinthZ in the West. It is with sadness that we announce that the game is cancelled on both platforms and all Western regions permanently. We will not comment further on this matter. Thank you for your support. pic.twitter.com/ePmmiWSTAY
— PQube (@PQubeGames) June 25, 2018
If you’re unable to read the message in the tweet, it states…
“PQube strives to release Japanese content for its fans as close to the source material as possible. In the case of Omega Labyrinth Z, while PQube has worked with all relevant age rating bodies in their respective territories, PQube must respectfully comply with the wishes of the platform holder and have therefore withdrawn any future plans for Omega Labyrinth Z’s European and North American release on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita.”
PQube had been taking pre-orders for the game’s upcoming North American and European release, but now those are being cancelled.
According to Censored Gaming, the reason for the game not coming to the West has to deal with Sony of America’s quality assurance, which apparently failed the game for not passing their QA tests.
Sony America and Europe will not allow Omega Labyrinth Z to be released on their systems. Before any game is allowed to be sold on consoles, it must first pass Sony’s QA. However, the game has failed QA and there is no longer anything PQube can do. pic.twitter.com/3wjXZz54Nw
— Censored Gaming (@CensoredGaming_) June 25, 2018
This left a lot of gamers scratching their heads given that Omega Labyrinth Z is already available on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in Japan. In fact you can purchase the Japanese version of the game right now from Play-Asia.
Some people were angered at PQube for opening up pre-orders and promising to sell the title. However, PQube hopped into the comment thread to explain that Omega Labyrinth Z was already rated by PEGI and the ESRB and was prepped to ship out at a moment’s notice until Sony blocked it from happening.
The game was rated, everything was proceeding as planned, this came much later in the process once it was all already in motion.
— PQube (@PQubeGames) June 25, 2018
PQube is correct. In fact the ESRB had already rated the game as ‘M’ for Mature and the synopsis page is still up and available for viewing both for the PS4 and PlayStation Vita versions of the game.
Play-Asia also vouched on PQube’s behalf, noting via a tweet that they did put in a lot of time and effort to bring Omega Labyrinth Z to Westerners.
Just want to say PQube put in big effort with this title & no anger should be directed their way.
Very unfortunate news, especially in light of the potential precident. If there is anything we or Region 3 can do, PA are always open to help, although its likely not that simple. https://t.co/KIr1DzAxTT
— Play-Asia.com (@playasia) June 25, 2018
Omega Labyrinth Z has had a rough go of it when it comes to getting rated and released, though. It was effectively banned from release in Australia back in February of 2018, and despite receiving a rating classification from PEGI for a European release, the U.K., effectively banned the game from being released in the region for promoting underage sexual activity.
This is a bold move from Sony, however, blocking the Western release of a game after it had already been rated and even though it’s already available on their platforms in another region.
Essentially, gamers are being denied an opportunity to play a game likely based on Sony not wanting Western gamers to have access to a sexy game like Omega Labyrinth Z rather than any actual quality or performance concerns.
This isn’t the first time that Sony has stepped into the realm of blocking a game for political reasons. Earlier this year they blocked Super Seducer from releasing in North America and Europe on the PlayStation 4 following complaints from feminists.
It’s not all bad news, though. According to Siliconera mod, British Otaku, PQube may still release the game in the West on PC… possibly for Steam.
Never say never?
— PQube (@PQubeGames) June 25, 2018
There’s no guarantee for a PC release of Omega Labyrinth Z, but it is guaranteed that PS4 and PS Vita users won’t be able to purchase a Western release of the risque JRPG.
It is still possible to import the game from Japan for both the PS4 and PS Vita.
(Thanks for the news tip British Otaku)
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