Nexon, the developer of the popular game MapleStory, has been penalized by the Korean Fair Trade Commission for consumer-unfriendly changes in the game mechanics. The penalty, amounting to nearly 9 million dollars, is the highest ever imposed for a violation of the Consumer Protection Act in South Korea.
MapleStory is a free-to-play MMORPG game that includes microtransactions. The gacha mechanics introduced by Nexon, which involve purchasing random items, have faced disapproval from the Commission. In 2010, the company introduced various types of cubes, some of which were only available for a fee. Initially, the chances of obtaining specific cubes were equal, but from 2010 to 2021, the company gradually decreased the probability of obtaining more valuable items without informing players of these changes. As a result, some cubes became completely unavailable.
The Korean Fair Trade Commission has issued a severe penalty against Nexon due to repeated violations. In the past, the company was penalized for similar practices in another game, Sudden Attack. Nexon must face the consequences for negligence in informing players about changes in the probability of obtaining items. The penalty amount of 9 million dollars is record-breaking and serves as an example of how attempts to introduce unfair practices in the South Korean gaming market are treated harshly.
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