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Starcraft II Gets Adults-Only Rating In Korea
It’s no secret that StarCraft is one of the most popular games in Korea. Multiplayer matches of the sci-fi strategy game are broadcast regularly on Korean television, and professional players are treated like rock stars. The upcoming sequel sounds like a sure-fire success -- except for one little thing. According to the Korea Times, the country’s Games Rating Board has given StarCraft II an adults-only rating, a move that would obviously affect game sales.
The board has been getting stricter on depictions of violence, profanity, and drug use, which could be why the game has been given such a mark. According to the Korea Times, the government has also been trying to force game companies to include so-called fatigue systems into their games to keep younger players from engaging in marathon play sessions. Those systems introduce gameplay disadvantages after players exceed recommended playing times
Blizzard will have a chance to appeal within 30 days or resubmit an edited version of the game to get the equivalent of a T rating. A Blizzard Korea spokesperson told the paper that it was still considering its next move. "We have nothing to say at this point,” she said. “We are discussing our official position on the matter as well as what would be the right reaction.”
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