MapleStory developer Nexon is being hit with a large tremendous by the Korean Truthful Commerce Fee over what the physique says are misleading loot field practices.
As reported by the Korean Times and Business Korea, Nexon is being fined some $8.85 million (about 11.6 billion gained) for allegedly reducing the chances of some loot field objects able to upgrading participant tools,, referred to as Cubes, with out telling gamers In keeping with the Korean Occasions, it’s the largest tremendous of this kind levied thus far.
The judgment claims that Nexon engaged in these practices for greater than 10 years in a interval relationship again to 2010, together with secretly reducing the loot field odds for some objects to close zero. The findings have been reportedly primarily based on inner paperwork obtained from Nexon.
“Nexon made bulletins about modifications to the video games tons of of occasions from 2010-21, but it surely omitted the details about the chance adjustment,” the KTFC mentioned in a press release. It added, “Our judgment is that the corporate had aimed to lure prospects by giving them false data and used misleading means.”
Loot containers have grow to be much less common lately owing to the extraordinary backlash from followers. As an alternative, builders usually tend to favor the battle cross mannequin pioneered by the likes of Dota 2 and Fortnite. Nevertheless, loot containers stay prevalent in cellular video games and sports activities video games, and they’re a sizzling button situation for regulators.
Nexon particularly has grow to be identified for its aggressive monetization practices. Final yr, IGN reported on MapleStory’s controversial “New Age” replace, which made it tougher for gamers in sure areas to farm a key forex whereas the value of some objects have been inflated. The replace led to large-scale protests all through the group.
MapleStory is a free-to-play 2D MMO that first launched again in 2003. It has purportedly raked in some $418 million [550 billion won] in gross sales from its loot containers within the interval between 2010 and 2021.
The Korean Occasions studies that Nexon apologized in its assertion however that it’s going to attraction the choice. IGN has reached out to Nexon representatives for a full assertion.
Kat Bailey is IGN’s Information Director in addition to co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Ship her a DM at @the_katbot.