Blizzard Appeals Korean AO Rating for Starcraft II
- Scribbled on April 22nd, 2010 by Jonah Falcon
- Filed in ESRB/Ratings, Mac, PC, Strategy
Five days ago, it was reported that Starcraft II was slapped with the dreaded AO (Adults Only) rating by South Korea’s ratings board, something that sent seismic shockwaves throughout that country, since Starcraft is almost tantamount to a religion in the Asian country. Blizzard is now appealing the rating.
According to Shacknews’ Brian Leahy:
I’m told by Blizzard PR representative Bob Colayco that the rating was based upon an early build of the game and Blizzard has already appealed the rating, submitting a new build to “address the Game Ratings Boardâs concerns.”
The game was rated suitable for those over the age of 15 last year based upon a build submitted at that time. I’m told by lead producer Chris Sigaty that this should not delay the game beyond its targeted mid-year release.
One might speculate that the adults-only rating was rendered with influence from KeSPA, the organization that oversees StarCraft: Brood War eSports in South Korea. KeSPA and Blizzard are locked in conflict over StarCraft II in Korea as a lot of money stands to be made with a transition to the sequel.
It was widely speculated that the rating was politically motivated, since it’s difficult for a real-time strategy game to warrant an AO rating. Let us know what you think.
April 27th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
[...] appealing the AO Starcraft II [...]
April 28th, 2010 at 2:17 am
[...] entire ratings fiasco with the AO rating of Starcraft II in South Korea has taken a dark turn as Blizzard has cancelled [...]