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http://www.dt.co.kr/contents.html?article_no=2010090302010431749003
In the latest decision by Department of Videogame Rating Board of Korea, they have expressed possible intention to block all Valve's Steam services from Korea due to the fact they have Korean language support yet both the service and games have not been rated or approved by the department.
As it stands right now in Korea, all electronic games including indy games, flash games, and games distributed on-line must be rated by the department, paying up to hundreds and thousands of dollars fee for the rating.
The department have set a precedent in the past with 'Tribe Wars', a free on-line web browser based game which refused to be rated by the department, so the department blocked the country's internet access to the website.
An insider from the department suggests, 'complete block is on the table, but are seeking alternate options.'
The department is likely expecting Steam to send all games in for approval, taking in thousands of dollars per game just for the process.
Korean communities, especially all FPS related websites are enraged with their keyboards, typing in massive amounts of exclamation marks, but are unlikely to amount to any meaningful action.
Also the department is currently enforcing an initiative which requires free homebrew games to be rated by the board as well.
http://www.inven.co.kr/webzine/news/?news=30383
In this article, a homebrew game making team was undergoing a development of an RPG game made with RPG-maker (RPG Tsukuru) when they recieved a cease-or-desist e-mail from the department unless they sent in their game for rating (as well as asking for a hefty amount of fee). The team eventually closed all their websites and ceased game development as it was too much burden on their pocket, rendering Korea's video game industry pretty much dead.
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This is fucking greedy.
I really do not know much about the size of Valve's fanbase in Korea, but I imagine it to be somewhat big since Valve always makes great games. I don't think this is gonna go too well.
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I'm not entirely sure what the DVRB's policy consists of. Why is the rating necessary? Are the fees just another way of accruing money for the government? And wouldn't the money spent to get the ratings be counteracted by the influx of Korean consumers? If that's the case, why is this even a matter of discussion?
I apologize for being a newb, but I'm pretty much at a loss here.
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Isnt it always greed lool
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Bitches be going hog wild and pig crazy over some cash. That's an absurd request from this rating board. Sucks ass to be a half-life or team fortress fan in Korea.
I'd be raging too.
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why so much whining? rules are rules. follow 'em. you too, valve.
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isnt this the same as all video games and movies needs to be rated here in US/Canada/EU?
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Yay I love it when the government protects us. Just imagine the chaos that would ensue in Korea if they allowed Valve's steam.
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Wait, they'll ban FREE games for not paying to get rated? I guess Valve will just have to disable all the free games for Korea and possibly increase prices on other games to cover the ratings fee.
They have a lot of games on Steam, paying thousands per game will be annoying, maybe they'll pass the costs to the publisher/developer.
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On September 04 2010 02:35 Zzoram wrote:
Wait, they'll ban FREE games for not paying to get rated?
It's called extortion. Free or not, it's an extortion racket.
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Things governments screw up.
1. Video Games
2. People's lives.
3. The economy
4. Anything they can touch.
Things governments solve
.......
......
still trying to think of one.
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On September 04 2010 02:39 darmousseh wrote:
Things governments screw up.
1. Video Games
2. People's lives.
3. The economy
4. Anything they can touch.
Things governments solve
.......
......
still trying to think of one.
how bout anarchy?
Doesn't take me long to think of a benefit. dont get me wrong the government definitely causes as many issues as it solves
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This rating board wouldn't by any chance be run by the same dudes that run KeSPA?
It really seems like the computer gaming industry is being milked for all it's worth these days. I guess the non-gaming business community finally realised its popular appeal, and thus market potential. Shame.
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On September 04 2010 02:39 darmousseh wrote:
Things governments screw up.
1. Video Games
2. People's lives.
3. The economy
4. Anything they can touch.
Things governments solve
.......
......
still trying to think of one.
you forgot healthcare.
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Crying shame if this goes through.
But to play Devils advocate, don't you think that country's have a right not to be pushed around by foreign enterprise ?
Proper Language support is a fairly basic after all, especially if people are trying to get sub par translations through.
What they have is an overzealous rule on gaming classification and Steam is circumventing the law. These are generally not small games and they are generally not free, if there are fees to be paid, either pay them or GTFO.
(again Devils advocate, please don't hurt me !)
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Damn it, why does government have to have control video games like this. Australia already rapes gamers in the ass and now South Korea wants to prevent a great company like Valve from coming in? Woohoo, promote more shitty games like Sudden Attack and the numerous other Valve knockoffs in Korea.
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On September 04 2010 02:39 darmousseh wrote:
Things governments screw up.
1. Video Games
2. People's lives.
3. The economy
4. Anything they can touch.
Things governments solve
.......
......
still trying to think of one.
Go move to an island somewhere if it bothers you that much.
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umm i thought even with the draconian censorship of australia that companies dont pay to get their stuff rated by the classification board.
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It has nothing to do with the general rule of governments fucking shit up anywhere you go.
Korea has had a long-standing problem corruption and greed in all branches of their governments. Throw in the fact that this regulation committee is probably more private than public would amplify the issue.
<= Korean, spent 7 years of childhood there.
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Korean regulators must have said to themselves "this Valve company have not treated us to kalbi and soju!!"
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On September 04 2010 02:59 broz0rs wrote:
Korean regulators must have said to themselves "this Valve company have not treated us to kalbi and soju!!"
hahahaha, sadly not too far from the truth.
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On September 04 2010 02:58 T0fuuu wrote:
umm i thought even with the draconian censorship of australia that companies dont pay to get their stuff rated by the classification board.
Yeah, does the rating system in the US and Europe require payment?
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On September 04 2010 02:19 gaggar wrote:
Korean communities, especially all FPS related websites are enraged with their keyboards, typing in massive amounts of exclamation marks, but are unlikely to amount to any meaningful action.
"Donate to buy a bomb to CellaWeRRa."
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When I lived in Korea, ratings were the biggest issue when it came down to video games.
You have no idea how paranoid some of these Korean parents are:
"OMG ITS A FUCKING GUN, NOW YOU'LL USE THAT BB GUN IN YOUR HOUSE TO SHOOT OTHERS. STOP PLAYING NOW"
^generic response to games like Sudden Attack
Never knew that rating games required payment, but hey. Look on the bright side. Boxer's on the committee afaik =3
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no more counterstrike in korea?
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WOW that's big, apart from Blizzard games Steam is 98% of PC games.
Also i don't see why they can't make everything unrated 18+.
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On September 04 2010 03:58 SilentCrono wrote:
no more counterstrike in korea?
Counter-Strike's popularity in Korea died when Valve wanted to put a fee that PC bangs had to pay in order to run their games. That is why Korean FPS games like Sudden Attack, Special Force, A.V.A., Black Shot, etc are more popular. In my opinion, they are also clones of Counter-Strike too with the same gameplay/game mode. Besides Counter-Strike, Korean developers have made their own version of Portal and Team Fortress 2, which has been debated on some gaming sites.
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Just another gross oversight and abuse of power by a government organization. It's really fucking disgusting how this kinda shit goes on in EVERY 'modern' country.
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Things like this are why I wouldn't want to raise children in Korea...
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Hmm Hmm, Valve needs to hire MightyAtom to take care of the problem.
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On September 04 2010 02:59 pikey26 wrote:
It has nothing to do with the general rule of governments fucking shit up anywhere you go.
Korea has had a long-standing problem corruption and greed in all branches of their governments. Throw in the fact that this regulation committee is probably more private than public would amplify the issue.
<= Korean, spent 7 years of childhood there. what do you know about korea? you only spent 7 years there.
<= Korean, spent 8 years of childhood there.
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On September 04 2010 04:54 redtooth wrote:Show nested quote +On September 04 2010 02:59 pikey26 wrote:
It has nothing to do with the general rule of governments fucking shit up anywhere you go.
Korea has had a long-standing problem corruption and greed in all branches of their governments. Throw in the fact that this regulation committee is probably more private than public would amplify the issue.
<= Korean, spent 7 years of childhood there. what do you know about korea? you only spent 7 years there. <= Korean, spent 8 years of childhood there.
Don't argue with the fact that you've lived in Korea one more year than the other poster. 5~6 years is good enough for some people to understand the country's views.
But if you really want to argue using numbers,
+ Show Spoiler +Hi, 9 years here, you 8 years have no experience at all.
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On September 04 2010 03:01 JinDesu wrote:Show nested quote +On September 04 2010 02:58 T0fuuu wrote:
umm i thought even with the draconian censorship of australia that companies dont pay to get their stuff rated by the classification board. Yeah, does the rating system in the US and Europe require payment?
US rating system:
About the ESRB
What is the ESRB?
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a non-profit, self-regulatory body established in 1994 by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), formerly known as the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA). ESRB assigns computer and video game content ratings, enforces industry-adopted advertising guidelines and helps ensure responsible online privacy practices for the interactive entertainment software industry.- Source: ESRB.org FAQ
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On September 04 2010 06:44 HaGuN wrote:Show nested quote +On September 04 2010 03:01 JinDesu wrote:On September 04 2010 02:58 T0fuuu wrote:
umm i thought even with the draconian censorship of australia that companies dont pay to get their stuff rated by the classification board. Yeah, does the rating system in the US and Europe require payment? US rating system: About the ESRB What is the ESRB? The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a non-profit, self-regulatory body established in 1994 by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), formerly known as the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA). ESRB assigns computer and video game content ratings, enforces industry-adopted advertising guidelines and helps ensure responsible online privacy practices for the interactive entertainment software industry.- Source: ESRB.org FAQ
I'm glad we've got a freer market solution for ratings instead of the government screwing with it.
800$ for development costs under 250,000$ and 4,000$ for costs over 250,000$ isn't bad, and the ratings are voluntary.
Markets are capable of their own censorship, but much less so than big brother in this case.
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Good-bye Korean counter strike, TF2, L4D, etc.
This kinda sounds like that other Korea I know about.
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CSO doesn't use steam...so it's not going to kill off the CS community in korea. but i do not see many korean servers for steam games i do play, i doubt there'd be that big of a complaint overall in korea. just sucks for those who are working in korea from overseas.
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So they're gonna ban games they can't play anyway? Excellent move Korea, you show Valve!
edit: Oh I think I get it; they can play them, but they just aren't rated so parents and such are getting upset. Read the OP wrong. I think both parties are being pretty immature, but it's more so Valve just being unreasonable.
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I don't understand why valve wouldn't do it. Isn't the fee well worth the access to the unusually large amount of gamers in the country?
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ratings... in denmark... thats like... if you want we can rate it, but its not required for sale... but we can do it if you like? huh? want a stamp?
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On September 04 2010 07:57 Laerties wrote:
I don't understand why valve wouldn't do it. Isn't the fee well worth the access to the unusually large amount of gamers in the country?
No, because they have to pay a fee for EVERY game available on Steam, and that's a shitload if you've seen it. Plus with new games coming out every so often.....
They might not even make a profit.
Greed, this is. Thousands of dollars just for some fucking rating, jesus. Didn't expect even Korea would subscribe to Activision greed.
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Rules are rules. Its true. But I also like valve, so its too bad.
I hope something can be worked out.
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Shouldn't the studios be paying for the ratings as valve just distributes them? Valve should say, "Get a Korean rating or we can't list your game there."
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I predict gamer revolution.
I can see it now. Flash and Jaedong devising foolproof strategies before throwing their nerd armies at their greedy Korean overlords.
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This is quite an impressive scam.
Force developers to pay thousands of dollars to get a rating sticker for a game. Repeat for every game that gets distributed in the country. The real impressive part is how its so blatantly devious, yet they managed to convince people that it's all just "part of the process."
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Regulation under the guise of a money grab, can never have to much regulated freedom 
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Sanya12364 Posts
Maybe this is how they want to cope with their gaming addiction? Put all the small time game developers out of business with ratings demand and so only the large and popular titles can be played.
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This extortion scheme is ridiculous. Users should not be blocked access to any information (or art) on the net especially not in this disgusting orwellian manner. And developers should absolutely not be subject to this kind of mafia-style extortion by the government.
I feel this is one of those cases when it is morally acceptable to simply kill those responsible.
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Hope they can work out a deal, do a one set price per year for all the games that get added or something. Else this is just going to get stupid. I know valve can afford to shell out some money to get its games approved, but if they have to pay 100k per game, no chance
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On September 04 2010 02:49 Terranist wrote:Show nested quote +On September 04 2010 02:39 darmousseh wrote:
Things governments screw up.
1. Video Games
2. People's lives.
3. The economy
4. Anything they can touch.
Things governments solve
.......
......
still trying to think of one. you forgot healthcare.
NOT IN AMURICUH
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I thought Koreans preferred cheap knock off versions of good games anyway?
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On September 04 2010 14:47 Frigo wrote:
This extortion scheme is ridiculous. Users should not be blocked access to any information (or art) on the net especially not in this disgusting orwellian manner. And developers should absolutely not be subject to this kind of mafia-style extortion by the government.
I feel this is one of those cases when it is morally acceptable to simply kill those responsible.
I know right. Imagine if US websites blocked access to child porn websites even if they were legal in their home country.
I mean, if it's legal somewhere else, then another country shouldn't block access to it since it's on the internet and free speech etc, even if it's non-compliant with local laws.
And imagine if Valve complied with other local laws but did so selectively.
I mean, imagine if they complied with German "requirements" to remove blood/gore (which aren't actually legal requirements) and made special German versions of their own games to sell there, as well as forcing consumers who were local to buy German copies of games without the (legally acceptable) option to buy uncensored versions.
And then didn't comply with laws in another country which required games to be submitted for ratings. That would be mad.
Yes example #1 is just ridiculous, but so is your statement. "It's the internet so local laws shouldn't apply".
#2 highlights an instance where Valve have complied with local "laws" to the point where they restrict the freedom of local purchases beyond the letter of the law by making it incredibly difficult for consumers in that country to buy what they are legally allowed to purchase. (German video game laws are difficult in many ways, but basically you must prove your age to purchase games with certain content, otherwise you get censored/restricted versions. Retailers also can't display the regular versions IIRC, but they can still stock them for purchase). Valve at least in the past had it so German consumers with German cards and German addresses could only buy these censored versions because it was the easiest way to comply with local law, rather than making uncensored games available easily to consumers.
In South Korea they seem to have just ignored the requirement to get games rated and put them up for sale.
That's not to say I think the Korean law is sensible, but that doesn't give Valve the right to simply ignore it and expect my sympathy when it becomes a problem.
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Is Korea the least free first world country?
Military conscription and overregulation like this is crazy.
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If I was in Korea I'd be okay with this if you could still play the Steam games, because the games are great and so are the deals, but Steam as a client is just horrible, eats your ram and craps out all the time.
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Like anyone actually gives a damn what rating the game has when buying it.
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they always need more money!!! more money!!! ;{
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EPT
