StarCraft II slapped with 18 rating in Korea
Blizzard undecided on whether it will appeal disastrous adult-only rating
Korea's Games Rating Board has awarded Blizzard's upcoming StarCraft II an adults-only 18 rating, despite the test version of the game receiving a 15 certificate last year.
The decision is a blow for Blizzard considering the size of the market for StarCraft in the country.
The release of the original game there single-handedly spawned a competitive "e-sports" scene with its own professional leagues, televised matches and significant prize funds.
The publisher has 30 days within which to file an objection to the decision - although doing so is likely to delay the game's release until next year.
A Blizzard Korea spokesperson told The Korea Times that it was considering its next move.
"We have nothing to say at this point. We are discussing our official position on the matter as well as what would be the right reaction," said the company.
The Games Rating's Board has also responded, saying that the game's content had been reviewed more thoroughly than it had a beta stage.
"Considering that the RC [release candidate] version of the game is closer to what will be sold on the shelves compared to the beta versions, we looked more carefully at the content. However, this rating is not final, as Blizzard will get the chance to object to it," it stated.
The game has been awarded a 12 rating in North America. Its apparently harsh Korean rating follows closely behind a betting scandal associated with StarCraft in the country, and new restrictions on online users, intended to curb game addition in young people.
Earlier this month, it was found that a number of top StarCraft players, along with their coaching staff, had been rigging the results of matches in collaboration with illegal gaming sites.
Teams are currently taking measures to clean up the scandal, with coaches and players being forced to leave the game.
Also reported earlier this month was the news that Korea is to start restricting internet access to gamers through six hour-long daily shutdowns.
A trial "slowdown" period is also underway, in which internet connection speeds will slow the longer a user is connected and playing an online game.