Game Industry Calls "Reverse Discrimination" in Response to Mandatory Display of Probability-Based Items 추진

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to Hold 'Great Forum for the Reboot of the Game Industry' on the 18th

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] As the government unveiled a revision bill signaling legal regulations on 'probability-type items,' concerns have emerged within the gaming industry.

Probability-type items refer to a 'gacha-style' purchase method, a concept similar to a lottery where users pay money to acquire items in a game without knowing which item they will receive until the purchase is made.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Game Rating and Administration Committee, and the Korea Creative Content Agency held a 'Great Forum for the Reboot of the Game Industry' on the morning of the 18th at Nexon Arena in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where they disclosed the draft of the complete revision of the Game Industry Act.

According to Article 64 of the draft revision revealed in the presentation, game developers must display information such as ratings, game content details, types of probability-type items, and the supply probability information for each type when distributing or providing games for use. Violations will be punishable by imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to 20 million KRW.

Until now, the gaming industry has voluntarily announced the types and probabilities of probability-type items through the Korea Game Self-Regulation Organization, to which game companies belong.

Professor Kim Sang-tae of Soonchunhyang University, who conducted the research for the complete revision draft, explained at the forum, "Although the Fair Trade Commission had announced regulations on probability-type items, the Game Industry Act has supplemented the obligation to display probability-type items," adding, "A provision has been established to prohibit their use for gambling purposes."

The government appears to be aware of the various controversies surrounding 'probability-type items.' These items have been criticized for causing excessive spending by users. There have been over 70 petitions to the Blue House from users requesting regulation of game companies' probability-type items.

The gaming industry has expressed concerns about this complete revision draft.

The Game Industry Association issued a statement on the day, saying, "We are concerned that changing the name from the existing Promotion Act to the Business Act only for the game industry suggests that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism views the game industry not as a subject of promotion but as a target for regulation and management."

They added, "We believe this differs from the current government's pledge and policy direction, which states that the game industry is an industry that requires promotion and nurturing, and that it will strengthen self-regulation and promote gradual improvements through joint deregulation policies with related ministries."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.