Lee Jae-myung and Yoon Seok-yeol Heatedly Compete for 'Gemsim' [Bu Aeri's Game Dictionary]

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, and Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] This year, presidential candidates are fervently trying to win the hearts of game users (Gamsim). Unlike in the past, interest in games has unusually increased, with candidates from each party presenting game-related pledges. While the industry positively evaluates the elevated status of games, there are concerns that game companies might be pressured solely for electoral gains.

Candidates Speaking Out on 'Probability-Based Items'

According to reports from the National Assembly and the gaming industry on the 15th, presidential candidates including Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea, Yoon Seok-youl of the People Power Party, and Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party have all announced pledges regarding probability-based items (gacha). Probability-based items, which are a major source of revenue for leading domestic game companies, are a type of 'gacha.' Users cannot know which item they will obtain before purchase. Due to issues such as the very low odds comparable to lottery winnings, these items have been criticized for causing excessive spending by users.

Candidate Yoon announced on the 12th a pledge to mandate full disclosure of information on probability-based items by game companies. Since last year, users of major domestic game companies like Nexon and NCSoft have been vocally demanding transparency regarding probability-based items. Some users even held truck protests criticizing the opaque operations of game companies. Candidate Yoon promised to create a user committee similar to a broadcaster’s viewer committee, allowing users to directly monitor game companies, and to establish dedicated units within related agencies such as the police to handle game fraud damages.

Candidate Lee had earlier, last month, proposed a pledge focusing on transparency of probability-based item information. He also declared a principle to ban multi-gacha systems like 'Complete Gacha.' Lee stated, "User dissatisfaction is very high due to the lack of transparency and excessive costs involved in purchasing items," and promised to "transparently disclose the exact composition probabilities and expected values of probability-based items." He also pledged to expand the functions of the Content Dispute Mediation Committee to strengthen user rights protection and hold game companies accountable for probability manipulation or intentional misrepresentation of probabilities. Candidate Ahn similarly expressed related views on his Facebook page.

Forming Special Advisory Teams and Attending LoL Matches

In particular, Candidate Lee drew attention by forming a special advisory team related to games. On the 10th, he launched the Game and Metaverse Special Advisory Team and appointed Professor Wi Jeong-hyun of Chung-Ang University, president of the Korea Game Society, as its head. Professor Wi recently took a cautious stance on the industry’s hot topic, 'Play to Earn (P2E).' He pointed out the need for banning probability-based items in games, restricting youth access, maintaining stable virtual currencies, developing new global intellectual properties (IP), and establishing a structure where game companies share profits with users. The advisory team plans to continue discussions on games and the metaverse through future meetings.

Candidate Yoon attracted attention by attending the opening match of the game 'League of Legends (LoL).' On the 12th, Yoon and People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok visited LoL Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to watch the match between T1 and Kwangdong Freecs. Following his announcement of game pledges, Yoon’s direct attendance at a LoL match was interpreted as a move targeting the votes of young men in their 20s (Idaenam).

The gaming industry welcomes the presidential candidates’ interest in 'games,' feeling that the industry’s status is changing and reflecting on this positively. However, there are also opinions calling for cautious approaches to regulation. An industry insider said, "Unlike in the past, the negative perception of games in politics seems to have largely disappeared, which is positive," but added, "The industry is already making self-regulatory efforts regarding probability-based items, so there is genuine concern from companies about being confined by legal regulations."

Editor's Note The goal of 'Game Dictionary' is to understand and clearly convey game-related issues every weekend. We always listen to incidents and diverse voices arising in games. Any tips or reports are always welcome.