In a recent development reported by the Korea Economic Daily, Nexon, the gaming company, has incurred a hefty fine of 11.6 billion Won (equivalent to 9 million USD) from the South Korean Fair Trade Commission. Besides, the penalty was imposed for alleged “deceptive practices” within the popular online game MapleStory.
Unprecedented Fine for Deceptive Practices
This significant penalty marks the largest ever imposed by the Fair Trade Commission for violations of this nature.
Accusations Against Nexon
Nexon is specifically accused of deliberately altering the probability structure of in-game items known as Cubes. These items, purchasable with real money, allow players to reset or upgrade their equipment’s potential.
Silent Changes and Allegations of Manipulation
Adding to the controversy, Nexon is accused of implementing these changes without notifying MapleStory players. Moreover, the company is alleged to have manipulated drop rates to ensure that highly coveted rewards never appeared.
Evolution of Cubes in MapleStory
Cubes were introduced to the game in May 2010, with equal odds for various rewards. However, in September 2010, Nexon altered the probability structure to decrease the likelihood of popular items appearing. This adjustment continued, with rates being further modified from August 2011 to March 2021 to virtually eliminate the appearance of desired rewards.
Real Costs for Players
Every time a player opens Cubes, they are charged 2,000 Won (approximately 1.5 USD), adding a real-world financial dimension to the in-game manipulation.
Fair Trade Commission’s Rationale for the Fine
The South Korean Fair Trade Commission justified the $9 million fine by citing this as Nexon’s second violation. Besides, the company had previously been penalized for providing inaccurate information regarding lottery-type items in the game Sudden Attack. Furthermore, the extended period of the violation also contributed to the severity of the penalty.
Nexon’s Response
According to reports from the Korea Economic Daily, Nexon has expressed a “humble acceptance” of the Fair Trade Commission’s decision. However, the company is considering further legal action in response to the fine.
Source: Insider-Gaming
