Summary
The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC), South Korea’s economic regulatory body, has slapped a multi-million dollar fine against video game giantNexonover alleged deceptive practices that were carried out in some of the company’s titles, including the hit free-to-play MMOMapleStory. The publishing juggernaut revealed it was looking to challenge the decision or seek court arbitration in response.
MapleStory, developed byNexonsubsidiary Wizet, was one of the first major titles to popularize microtransactions. Among the game’s many paid consumables were Cubes, randomized items that could be used to enhance specific types of equipment. South Korean authorities have accused Nexon of lowering the drop rates of certain Cubes, particularly some popular ones, from 2011 to 2021 without disclosing the changes to players. Nexon supposedly implemented a total of 449 minor changes toMapleStoryover the course of that decade without informing consumers of their more disadvantageous drawing positions.
The KFTC has decided to fine Nexon 11.6 billion won, or around $8.9 million, over the company’s alleged deceptive business practices that were in violation of South Korea’s Electronic Commerce Act, the agency announced. The fine could actually be seen as being light sinceMapleStoryis one of the most influential MMOs of all timeand it earned more than 550 billion won ($418 million) from Cube sales alone between 2011 and 2021, South Korean media outletBusiness Koreareported. Aside fromMapleStory, Nexon also manipulated the odds in its online shooter game,Bubble Fighter, in ways that did not favor consumers, according to the KFTC.
In response to the decision, Nexon said that it would consider challenging the KFTC’s fine or take the case to court. Nexon claimed it had no obligation to disclose probability-based items before 2016, which was around the era major videocompanies like Sony and Microsoft started to voluntarily disclose loot box rates. Additionally, Nexon argued that the KFTC’s retroactive sanctions would greatly shrink South Korea’s gaming industry.
Other titles have faced criticism in the past over their terrible item drop rates, likeFIFA 19and the less than 1% drop rate its Ultimate Team mode hadfor the most powerful members. Most modern games have appeased their audiences by introducing a pity system that guaranteed drops after a certain number of pulls.
Nexon has not fared well in recent legal battles, withNexon’s U.S. copyright lawsuit against Ironmace, the developer of the upcoming multiplayer fantasy gameDark and Darker, being dismissed last August over lack of jurisdiction.Dark and Darkerrecently received an age rating from South Korea’s game rating board, giving Ironmace another big win overNexon.
