Game Rating and Administration Committee

Game Rating and Administration Committee
Hangul 게임물관리위원회
Hanja 게임物管理委員會
Revised Romanization Geimmul Gwalli Wiwonhoe
McCune–Reischauer Keimmul kwalli wiwŏnhoe

The Game Rating and Administration Committee (Hangul: 게임물관리위원회; RR: Geimmul Gwalli-Wiwonhoe; GRAC) is the South Korean video game content rating board. A governmental organization, the GRAC rates video games to inform customers of the nature of game contents.

Initially, the Korea Media Rating Board, a governmental organization, rated video games just like other entertainment media. However, a controversy occurred because the Korea Media Rating Board rated an arcade gambling game Sea Story as if it were suitable for everyone, with allegations of misconduct. The Korean government responded to the controversy by creating the GRB in 2006 and making it the only rating organization for rating video games in South Korea.[1][2][3][4]

The GRAC has been criticized as one of the elements of the Internet censorship in South Korea.[5][6][7]

Ratings given

The GRB currently uses five different rating systems.[8]

All: Everyone may play.
  • The content of the game offers educational, or cultivating moral character and sentiments for children
  • The content of the game has no representation of anti-societal idea distortion or profanity of religion and public morals that harm children emotionally and physically
  • The content and motif of the game have no representation of obscenity, violence, or reproduction of gambling spirit that harms children at all
12+: Under 12 may not play.
  • The content of the game has no representation of anti-societal idea, distortion or profanity of religion and public morals that would be harmful to children under 12 emotionally and physically
  • The content and motif of the game has no representation of obscenity, violence, reproduction of gambling spirit that would be harmful to children under 12 (slight level of sexuality, violence, improper language(expletives), etc.)
15+: Under 15 may not play.
  • The content of the game has no representation of anti-societal idea, distortion or profanity of religion and public morals that would be harmful to children under 15 emotionally and physically
  • The content and motif of the game have no representation of obscenity, violence, speculation, etc. that would be harmful to children under 15 (indirect and restricted representation of sexuality, violence, improper language(expletives) and low level of reproduction of gambling spirit (arousing of passion for excessive use of gaming money, or dependence on one's luck)
18+: Under 18 may not play.
  • The content of the game has representations of anti-societal idea, religion and public morals that would be harmful to minors emotionally and physically.
  • The content and motif of the game have representations of obscenity, violence, speculation, etc. that would be harmful to minors (direct and concrete graphical representation of sexuality, violence, improper language(expletives), reproduction of gambling spirit (existence of arousing of passion of excessive use of gaming money, or dependence on one's luck, but no real gaining or loss of one's asset).[9]
The game is either being demonstrated, or the rating is pending.

Most video games can be of any rating, though only 'All' and 'Teenager restricted' are permitted for arcade games.

Content descriptors icons

The descriptors are:

  • Sexuality
  • Violence
  • Fear/horror/threatening
  • Gambling (betting)
  • Alcohol, tobacco, drug
  • Language
  • Crime, anti-social or anti-governmental messages

See also

References

  1. ↑ Myung Oh; James Larson (14 March 2011). Digital Development in Korea: Building an Information Society. Taylor & Francis. pp. 147–148. ISBN 978-1-136-81313-9.
  2. ↑ "Sea Story scandal simmers | The Marmot's Hole". Rjkoehler.com. 2006-08-22. Archived from the original on 2014-08-26. Retrieved 2014-08-26.
  3. ↑ "South Korean PM apologizes for video game controversy". Taipei Times. 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2014-08-26.
  4. ↑ "Blizzard's rush for cash?". Koreatimes.co.kr. 2011-09-25. Archived from the original on 2014-08-26. Retrieved 2014-08-26.
  5. ↑ "Censorship in South Korea: Game over". The Economist. 2011-04-14. Retrieved 2014-08-26.
  6. ↑ "South Korea's Game Rating Board and The War on Online Content | The Marmot's Hole". Rjkoehler.com. 2010-09-07. Archived from the original on 2014-08-26. Retrieved 2014-08-26.
  7. ↑ "Korea Blocks Facebook Game Apps". Koreanoodles. 2014-09-02. Retrieved 2014-09-02.
  8. ↑ "Age Rating Symbol". Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  9. ↑ "Rating Guide". GAME RATING BOARD. Retrieved 2014-09-28.

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