StarCraft 2 Rated AO in Korea

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/tech/2010/04/133_64287.html

I can see it now: "Rated AO for dangerous addictiveness and economy crippling reliance on foreign capitalist systems."

 

I do actually like the stance Korea is taking here, despite how it may affect Blizzard or SC2.

I think of it like this: It should be possible for a game to be entertaining without having to rely on violent and antisocial elements.

And if a game has to have this content in order to provide an entertaining experience, then that game already has problems.

 

The rating probably has nothing to do with the content. KeSPA most likely gave them the AO rating to assert control because they've been threatening them that they would and could give them an AO for a long time now if their demands were not met.. Demands were not met, AO rating was given.

 

Yay, no more whining 12-year-olds.

 

I can only hope there won't be at all or won't be too much of foul language in SC2, it would only spoil the epic atmosphere.

I mean what the hell? :wacko:

This makes me feel better!

 

>implying this changes anything

 

This is good if blizzard doesn't challenge their claim since there will be less 12 year old korean kids in the game.

 

+1

 

Mind you an AO rating does not make it hard for minors to get such games. it just makes the games a little slightly more annoying to get. But I'm sure the kids could beg the shop owner to buy the game or get an adult to buy it for them. The AO does little for kids getting the game.

But what it does is stop all the minors entering into the SC2 pro tournaments. And in places like korea that is a big thing. As I'm sure a lot of minors (I'd assume in the 14-18) range would want to partake in these tournaments. But with the AO they can not. And this might be a blow to the stream of revenue the game can make in korea over the years. Which in turn hurts Blizzard.

The korean government knew this and made the game AO when Blizzard did not bow down to them.

 

What are these conditions that Blizzard refused to accept?

I fail to see the justification of giving it a AO rating (well, besides the raters being d**ks) as the violence is very tame compared to many other games with a similar rating. I've seen T rated games with more violence/blood than SC2 has. My youngest sister is 13 and I find the violence suitable for her age if she so chooses to play it.

 

South Korea (more KeSPA) is angry at Blizzard because they refused to sell them the broadcasting rights for SC2, as they had for the original. Since Blizzard wants to try and make as much money off the eSports as they can in North America by doing it all themselves.

So if Blizzard can't run a pro scene in Korea for SC2 because of the AO rating, KeSPA will be able to keep all it's viewers and keep running the regular leagues for the original game. At least that's my take on it.

 

-1

For one thing, it's not hard to get this game to a minor. StarCraft 2 is such a phenomenon that a parent withholding it from their child would be like an American parent withholding candy or milk. For another, this harms Blizzard, Battle.net as well as the meta games in many ways whether or not you realize it. This will hurt your enjoyment of the game if you have even a passing interest in competing in the metagame or watching replays.

 

"Should Blizzard opt to adjust the disputed parts of the content and retry the whole reviewing process, as it did with the first game, the release of StarCraft II would likely be delayed until next year."

Am i the only one that saw this? I do not want SC2 to come out next year...

 

Do you live in Korea? If not, it doesn't have the slightest affect on you in terms of release date. Either way, almost none of us live in Korea so that's why we didn't comment.

 

Mmm sorry, thought it meant international release date set back, its late and I just said something stupid

 

I personally think this is rather childish of KeSPA, as under the guidelines, this game is pretty much a T-Rated game, bordering on M. Not even GTA, which is by and far the most offensive, violent, and sexual games of today, was only given and M rating.

I can see many pro gamers speaking out against this, and many Korean Starcraft Leagues, perhaps making KeSPA back out of their decision.

 

I think MadWorld for the Wii is much more violent than GTA. And it (MadWorld) only got a M rating in most countries. So I don't see why SC2 got the AO rating here apart from it being a political stunt.

 

Hell no. Japanese hentai games win by a LOOOOOONG shot. I mean, they're six year old girl rape simulators

 

Deckard, SC2 for minors is as easy to get as alcohol or cigarettes. It's not about making it hard, it's about making it look worse than it is. Not to compare SC2 to either of those, but most parents aren't that familiar with games and turn to the ratings to make a decision for them.

 

Actually I think this wins:

Boon-Ga Boon-Ga

Just read the link and you'll understand why it is one of the most **** things in the world. And anyone in Japan can play it. Young or old at the arcades. It was made by the Koreans for the Japanese.