'Zero Winning Probability Until 3rd Draw'... Korea Fair Trade Commission Fines Grand Chase Classic

Sold 'Jumunseo' Worth 3 Billion KRW with False Notifications
Violated Electronic Commerce Act, Fined 36 Million KRW

KOG, the operator of the online PC game 'Grand Chase Classic,' has been sanctioned by the Fair Trade Commission for falsely disclosing the winning structure and probabilities while selling probability-based items in the game.

According to Yonhap News on the 14th, the Fair Trade Commission announced that it will impose corrective orders and a fine of 36 million KRW on KOG for violating the Electronic Commerce Act. The Fair Trade Commission stated that from August 2022 to February 2023, KOG sold equipment that enhances character performance in Grand Chase Classic through a lottery-style system using probability-based items called 'Guseul Bongin Haeje Jumunseo' (hereafter 'Jumunseo').

Grand Chase Classic game codi shop capture. Provided by the Korea Fair Trade Commission, Yonhap News Agency

While selling the Jumunseo, KOG notified consumers that each draw applied a fixed winning probability, which is a typical structure. However, in reality, the system was designed so that winning was impossible until a certain number of draws had been made. Specifically, the winning probability was 0% for the first three draws, and then the probability gradually increased as the number of draws increased.

Additionally, an unreasonable method was applied where if a consumer already owned equipment obtained through previous draws, their winning probability decreased further. For example, a consumer who already possessed nine pieces of equipment through draws had a 0% winning probability not for three draws but for nine draws, after which the winning probability increased relatively slowly.

KOG is reported to have sold Jumunseo worth a total of approximately 3 billion KRW using this method. It is also reported that some purchasers filed complaints. In response, the Fair Trade Commission determined that KOG engaged in transactions with consumers by providing false information or using deceptive methods and decided to impose sanctions. The Commission judged that concealing and omitting the fact that the winning structure of the Jumunseo was not based on general probabilities but on a point accumulation system requiring a certain number of points to win constituted an act of deceiving users.

The Fair Trade Commission stated, "This sanction is significant in that it detected and took action against deceptive practices involving item information that greatly influences consumer choice regarding probability-based items closely linked to the profitability of online game service providers." It added, "We will continue to strictly respond to violations of the Electronic Commerce Act and other illegal acts by online game service providers to establish a fair gaming market foundation."