From the "Yeah... that'll totally work" department.
You know, I’ve been to Korea, it’s a great place to visit. It’s even a better place if you happen to know a bit of the language. You know those apple juice boxes you give your kids to get them to shut the hell up? The’ve got those with Korea’s local booze, soju in them. You know what’s slightly more popular than distilled rice liquor in Korea, Starcraft.
It’s so big there, Blizzard decided to announce Starcraft 2 while they were over there in Korea. Isn’t that nice of them? Considering the fact that the winners for the past 10 years at the World Cyber Games for Starcraft: Brood War have been from South Korea it’s the least that Blizzard could do for a country that’s given them so much.
Unfortunately, like anywhere, they’ve got a few problems over there in South Korea. Recently a couple was charged for leaving their little girl to starve to death while both parents went to an internet cafe to level-up their goddamned virtual girl. Another poor Korean kid dies of heart failure after a 50 hour marathon *cough* Starcraft *cough* session. Now, I’m not blaming the Koreans, or even Starcraft, but these kind of high profile events are pure political fodder.
Korea’s Games Rating Board issued the AO rating for Starcraft 2 which typically gives harsher ratings for violence, drug use and foul language. However, because of the national obsession for Starcraft, it’s possible that someone is trying to “think of the children” rather than take a look at some of the other endemic issues that people face to make them choose games over their own, or others’ life.
While Blizzard can appeal the decision in the 30 days after the judgement was made, there are a few things that could happen.
- South Korea backs down from the judgement and finds that in reality, Starcraft has minimal references to drugs (unless smoking counts) or foul language or even gore. Blizzard then goes to sell 5 million copies and 10 million copies are pirated.
- South Korea sticks to their decision and Blizzard still only sells millions of copies and the number of pirated copies skyrocket.
So, it’s up in the air right now and no one’s really sure where the chips will land, but one thing’s for sure, you can bet that the South Korean gamer community is letting Korea’s games rating board know exactly what they think.
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Soju rocks! Interesting cultural article man, thanks.