The twist of fate?

October 21st, 2005 Jun Sok Huhh Posted in news |

One of our members had posted a nice article about the recent decision of Korea Fair Trade Commission(KFTC). I’ll add an interesting reaction on KFTC’s decision. Fully seeing what happened, you need to read his article first.

At the day KFTC’s decision was made, KAOGI(Korea Association of Game Industry), one of interest groups in Korean game market, also issued an official statement about this decision. The title was “We accept the decision of validity on forbidding RMT gladly.” I translate some parts of their statement.

“We anticipate that KFTC’s decision is to be a cornerstone to protect game developers from overheated RMT markets that are alluring players to make rash and illegal deals and some rogue factions that are trying to get unfair profits with the help of RMT markets. Also, we hope that KFTC’s decision would come to an end to many arguments around legal rights or ascriptions of game items or RMT itself.”

“For the rightful decision about RMT, however, their judgment on developers’ measures to use against RMT is still up in the air. It is a logical contradiction to narrow developers/publishers’ discretion against RMT down. We are strongly suspicious that KFTC’s limited intention to regulate us might misguide the fundamental problem of protecting innocent players and game service itself.”

“Thus, if any developer/publisher are to stand straight against KFTC’s decisions, we will give all of our supports to realize our will. It is most crucial in protecting most of users and getting our industry itself in order whether developers/publishers have the right to do appropriate measures against RMT.”

“Nevertheless some faults of KFTC’s decision, we have no doubt that KFTC’s decision is a big and good opportunity for the progression of game industry. We are declaring again that eradicating of RMT would be our permanent mission.”

As the original text in Korean language is somewhat hard to translate, I think, there might be some mistakes but not too much out of their main purpose.

At first, this statement looked so funny to me. I’ll describe some facts about KOAGI or something.

Generally, in Korea, any powerful interest group is hard to exist. State-led development during authoritative regimes for about 30 years had not made any space or need for them. Namely, the state itself had been the representative of many industries. I think that the number of really influential industrial interest groups(except trade union) is less than five. Thus it is really misleading to look KAOGI or any interest group in Korean game industry as something like ESA of US.

Secondly, most of major MMORPGs in Korea had owed a lot to RMT. This was not officially accepted view, but most of players see through this point clearly. Even at now, some games rely heavily on RMT. It is undeniable that RMT has been one of basic motives for playing MMOGs in Korea. Eradication RMT by their hands? In a sense, It appears be as absurd as cutting your own head by your hands.

Thirdly, developers or publishers of games that have been always on the sharp issue of RMT have done a lot of lip-servicing against RMT for all the time. Unfortunately, lip-services have scarcely been followed by real actions. It has never been difficult for me to discern the deep from the surface in this case.

Considering above all facts, at this time, is it gaining any moment to eradicate RMT in the MMOGs scene of Korea? Maybe, debates and arguments are lingering still longer than you could expect. Also, RMT would be going on without any real obstacle. Isn't it ironic?