StarCraft II rated 18+ in Korea, appeal underway
According to a report from the Korea Times, StarCraft II has been rated as unsuitable for those under 18 due to the South Korean Games Rating Board's tough stance on the game's violence, foul language, and depictions of drug use.
You may be wondering why this is relevant down here in South Africa, but consider this: South Korea is StarCraft crazy. Blizzard will want to reach as many South Korean gamers as possible with StarCraft II, especially the youngsters who will likely produce the next generation of e-sports heroes for the country, and indeed, the world.
It goes beyond simple game sales as well, as evidenced by the thriving industries that have spawned (see what I did there?) in the wake of StarCraft - merchandising, Internet cafe's, and the massive South Korean e Sport movement all stand to be effected by this rating.
As the Korea Times report suggests, Blizzard may have a big decision ahead of them, and therein, dear reader, lies the rub. Reworking the game content to bring it in line with a lower age rating will mean delaying the release. Going ahead with a Korean release under an 18+ rating will cut off a large number of dedicated gamers from their title, and hinder the adoption of the game as an e-Sport title.
The outcome of this saga hinges on the appeal that blizzard has made to the Games Rating Board, a process which is currently underway.
The South Korean government is clearly concerned about their game playing citizens, as there are plans to introduce gaming curfews as well as have gaming companies build "fatigue systems" into their games, which will introduce disadvantages in game play when Big Brother thinks you have had enough.
On the other hand, Brian Leahy, a journalist with ShackNews, speculates that the 18+ rating may be the result of conspiratorial influence by the hand of KeSPA, the South Korean e-Sports body that has been making a fortune from Brood Wars matches, and was recently accused of match-fixing.
Blizzard is eager to be directly involved in the potentially lucrative South Korean e-Sport industry, but have been battling with KeSPA over the transition to StarCraft II. Could the KeSPA be exerting influence in order to prolong the profits they make from Brood Wars e-sport?
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