Mandatory Disclosure of Probability Information for Game Items

Notice of Legislative Amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Game Industry Act
Significant Expansion of Gamers' Right to Know

From now on, all games offering probability-based items will display related information. The general principles for displaying probability information and the methods of display by media are regulated, significantly expanding the right to know for game users.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 13th a partial amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the "Game Industry Promotion Act," which is set to take effect on March 22 next year. Public opinions will be collected and reflected over the course of one month.

The amendment was prepared to protect game users from issues such as non-disclosure of probability information and false probability display, which have been continuously controversial. The main contents are broadly divided into three parts. First is the classification of probability-based item types and specific mandatory display items. Probability-based items are categorized into capsule type, enhancement type, and synthesis type, and mandatory display items for each type are stipulated. Supply information must also be displayed for cases where a specific outcome affects other outcomes or where game items can be obtained deterministically depending on usage conditions. A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official explained, "This is the result of adding game users' opinions based on standards previously applied in self-regulation."

Second is the mandatory display of probability information for all games providing probability-based items. Games supplied to youth and general game providers (arcade games) and games exempt from rating classification (such as educational, religious, or public interest promotional games) are excluded from the scope. Games from small and medium-sized enterprises with an average annual sales of 100 million KRW or less over three years are also exempt. A Ministry official said, "We have eased the burden on small game companies," but added, "The exemption scope has been significantly reduced compared to the small and medium-sized enterprises with sales under 80 billion KRW, which are exempt under the game time selection system."

Third is the regulation of general principles for displaying probability information and the methods of display by media. Principles are established to ensure probability information is disclosed through percentage display and prior notice, and detailed methods of display are specified for games, websites, advertisements, and promotional materials. The amendment also includes provisions to prevent manipulative practices such as providing probability information in a form that cannot be searched or posting it in locations difficult for users to find.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will operate a monitoring team of twenty-four members for probability-based items to facilitate the swift implementation of the amendment. The team will crack down on games that fail to display probability information or display false information and verify suspicious false probability information. A Ministry official stated, "If additional verification is needed, we plan to examine the falsehood together with the Fair Trade Commission."