[서울신문] “Let’s do it like this?” … 4 questions left after Nexon’s probability was revealed

‘Probability Disclosure Controversy’ Still Continues Despite Nexon’s Announcement

On the 5th, Nexon decided to disclose all probability information about paid probability-type items, but user complaints still continue. It is true that the existing self-regulatory program contains prospective content, but it is not enough to escape the ‘speculative controversy’. It is noted that if the industry continues to resist criticism from politicians and users, it is inevitable that ‘probability regulation legislation’ containing punishment rules for this is inevitable. Despite Nexon’s announcement, we have summarized the points that users and the industry made as questionable points.

① Why are the paid free and mixed type probability elements not released?

The targets that Nexon announced will sequentially reveal probability this time is limited to paid probability items. The probability of a free item or a combination of paid and free items was omitted from the ad. For example, ‘Random Box’, which does not know which item will come out according to a certain probability, is provided for free, and the key to opening it is that if you have to pay money to buy it, the probability of this happening is not will disclose. Some point out that this is also an item that users paid some money to, and if the probability is not disclosed, there is a lack of sincerity to regain the user’s trust. A Nexon official said: “The data for the free pay hybrid is extensive, so we are reviewing it for now.”

② Is there a problem with the low probability that it is just a decimal point?

Gaming companies are already disclosing the likelihood of some items according to a self-regulatory program. The problem is that some items are only at a fractional level with less than 1% chance of being picked up. Therefore, the ‘Sword of Execution’, a symbolic item of NCsoft’s ‘Bloodline’, costs at least tens of thousands of won. It is necessary to make rare items for the fun of the game, but it is noted that proper regulation is needed for this. If there are too many items with a rare probability and the competition for them heats up, the question is whether the game will turn into a bookmaker. Nexon’s announcement did not include self-regulation of low probability items. Park Seong-hee, editor of the International Association of Electronic Sports, professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, said: “The element of rare probability can be a necessary factor for the fun of the game to some extent.”

③ What will other game companies that have claimed to be ‘trade secret’ do?

As Nexon, the No. 1 in the industry, has revealed the odds beyond what game companies have been self-regulating until now, competitors can’t sit still. An NCsoft official said: “There is no set yet, but we are reviewing it carefully (for additional information on the likelihood of the item).” The Korea Gaming Industry Association showed a strong position regarding the likelihood of gambling as “a representative trade secret”. If the number of decision-making companies like Nexon increases, it may come under criticism that “it was a part that could be revealed in the finale. As early as this month, the Korea Gaming Policy Autonomy Organization (GSOK) is expected to , which attempted to create a stronger article self-regulatory code, please review Nexon’s announcements and propose a code revision.

▲ New Netmarble G-Tower office building, Guro-gu, Seoul.

④ Isn’t it necessary to legislate just because self-regulation is reinforced?Last month the draft bill to amend the ‘Gaming Industry Promotion Act’ initiated by Democratic Party member Lee Sang-heon was presented to the National Assembly’s Committee on Culture, Sports and Tourism. If the bill passes, the issue of likelihood disclosure will be broadened, and if the bill is not followed, you may face legal penalties, which is why gaming companies actively oppose it. Gaming companies, which first created a self-regulatory code in July 2015, bypassed regulatory legislation in the past by strengthening self-regulation whenever there was a dispute. Representative Lee Sang-heon’s amendment is a bill that reveals all the odds, be it a paid item or a combination of paid and free items, so the regulation is stricter than that announced by Nexon.

Furthermore, on the 5th, Democratic Party legislator Dong-soo Dong-soo representatively proposed a partial amendment to the ‘Gaming Industry Promotion Law’, which prohibits the sale of ‘Complete Gacha’ products. Complete Gacha refers to a probability-type item in which several items obtained through a draw are collected and another item is completed. Full gacha is also banned in Japan, but in domestic games, full gacha items can be found easily. Nexon’s announcement does not include any plans to improve Complete Gacha. There has been a lot of criticism that Complete Gacha induces overbilling, but voices are growing that limiting it must pass the regulatory bill.

An industry insider said: “Despite several regulatory bills having been announced for more than 10 years, and criticism has continued during the government audit, the controversy over the elements of probability continues.” A regulatory bill, gaming companies actively “It is not clear whether it will be possible to stop legalization this time, as users who have aligned with it have turned their backs on it.”

Reporter Jaehee Han [email protected]