StarCraft II Earns Adult-Rating in Korea

April 20, 2010

The forthcoming entry from the most popular game in Korea has received an adults-only rating from that country’s Games Rating Board (GRB).

Blizzard’s StarCraft II was designated for gamers 18 and over, and follows test, or release candidates, for the game previously earning ratings for the over 15 year old gaming crowd. The Korea Times speculated that the decision might have something to do with a push by the government to “improve gaming behavior and curb compulsive gaming and addictions,” versus the game’s actual content contributing to the rating.

In a statement, the GRB said, “Considering that the RC (release candidate) version of the game is closer to what will be sold on the shelves compared to the beta versions, we looked more carefully at the content.”

Blizzard can file an objection within 30 days of the ruling. A Korean spokesperson for the company stated that it had not yet decided whether to challenge the ruling or not. Any decision to re-review the game, or to adjust content in order to appease the rating board, could result in a delay of the game’s release.

The game, due out this year, earned a “T” (Teen) rating from the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) stateside.

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Comments

Re: StarCraft II Earns Adult-Rating in Korea

Submitted by Kabyk on Wed, 04/21/2010 - 11:43.

Well, this is certainly one way to attempt control of gaming in youths in the country; though a bit too aggressive for my taste.

Re: StarCraft II Earns Adult-Rating in Korea

Submitted by killatia on Wed, 04/21/2010 - 07:56.

Its find and dandy if you wanna combact addition but don't take it out on giving your counrty's favorit game an adult raiting.

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Re: StarCraft II Earns Adult-Rating in Korea

Submitted by Magic on Wed, 04/21/2010 - 03:13.

Very disappointing - combating game addiction should target the people, not the game. I appreciate that it's a difficult issue but this can't be the best way to tackle it.

Given the immense popularity of the game in South Korea, there's no way this is a daft mistake, while I can't imagine the actual in-game content (from what I've seen in videos) as being 18 rated.

Re: StarCraft II Earns Adult-Rating in Korea

Submitted by mdo7 on Tue, 04/20/2010 - 21:39.

I've heard about this from Kotaku and Joystiq. I don't know why South Korea is putting Starcraft 2 a adult only rating. I don't recall this game having a sex scene or whatsoever. I find this unusual.

Re: StarCraft II Earns Adult-Rating in Korea

Submitted by SeanB on Tue, 04/20/2010 - 15:19.

1) South or North Korea? I can assume it's South, but it's an important distinction

2) Does said country have laws enforcing such ratings?

3) If it's not the "crack down on addictions" thing, i'm really interested in the single player content now, because there's NOTHING in the beta that would indicate an AO rating.

Re: StarCraft II Earns Adult-Rating in Korea

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Re: StarCraft II Earns Adult-Rating in Korea

Submitted by gamegod25 on Tue, 04/20/2010 - 19:35.

Obviously it's south korea.

Anyway I'm honestly kinda surprised about this. I would have never guess there would be any kind of hang ups like this, maybe in places like china or germany, but not there.

Re: StarCraft II Earns Adult-Rating in Korea

Submitted by locopuyo on Tue, 04/20/2010 - 16:32.

1. South Korea

2. idk, but parents could still buy it for their kids.

3. Raynor smokes and swears, there is blood. But there is a lot of speculation KESPA is behind the adult rating. KESPA is in charge of all StarCraft: Brood War professional leagues and events and does not want to lose any power to Blizzard, which has been trying to get more involved in e-sports.

teamliquid forum link discussing it

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Sleaker: @Imautobot - yah I wouldn't use an emulator as a good first run test of how stable the console is, haha.05/16/2013 - 11:47am

E. Zachary Knight: The 50th person to jump off a bridge is just as dumb if not dumber than the 1st.05/16/2013 - 10:03am

MaskedPixelante: Yeah, let's all jump on Nintendo for doing this, even though they're hardly the first company to do this...05/16/2013 - 9:47am

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