South Korean flag, via Wikipedia
As first reported by Chinese state-run media, and now confirmed by ZDNet Asia and others, a South Korean governmental organization known as the Game Ratings Board (GRB) has declared that it must rate all Android Market games before they are made available to South Korean consumers.
According to the GRB, there are approximately 4,400 games currently in violation of those regulations. The GRB is threatening to shutdown the entire Android Market within South Korea due to this ratings issue.
Do you agree with the GRB, and should other countries take similar action? Share your thoughts in the comments area below…
About the Author
More articles by Brian Johnson »
It’s simply. Developers need to use a Korean Publisher (note, I am a Korean Publisher). Besides Korean Game Rating Board, Korean Operators implemented their respective ARM/DRMs to protect Developer’s IPs. Korea is one of the most law abiding and IP secure countries in the world. Thus mobile gaming market is one of the largest. Operators are blocking SlideME and other ‘sales channels’ or off-portals channels. Android OS is ‘open’ but the business/regulatory sides is a ‘walled garden.’
Korean Publishers can help foreign companies overcome such hurdles (and help localize and market and relationship with Operators).
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/features/268/Android-is-opening-up-Korea-to-outsiders
I am the Managing Partner of one of the largest Android and iPhone publishers in Korea called Brilliant Rise Korea. Prior to this, I was CMO/COO of Com2uS, the largest and publish mobile game publisher in Korea (henry@brilliantrise.com).
Henry, thank you very much for sharing your insights!