Update: StarCraft II Korean Age Rating Changed

Written by Asfastasican  | Wednesday, 19 May 2010 23:06

News - StarCraft II

Many Korean fans were concerned after hearing that the Korean Game Rating Board had given StarCraft II a mature AO rating. Being a big surprise to many, fans have since wondered why the game was designated a 18+ rating, seeing as the Board had given the game a 15+ rating after playing a test version the previous year.

Fomos.kr, a Korean gaming news website, has now reported that the Board has reconsidered their decision after reviewing a modified version of StarCraft II and it has now been given a 12+ Kids rating. The Korean 12+ version of the game will have content thats inappropriate for minors filtered out and blood will also have a black color as opposed to red. The following is an English translation of the news article:

StarCraft 2, expected to be released in the second half of this year, has received an Age 12 rating from the Korean Game Rating Board.

Blizzard had submitted StarCraft 2, currently undergoing beta testing, for review on May 7, but it received a rating of "Unsuitable for Minors." In response, Blizzard submitted a version with the offending elements adjusted on May 11.

The new version excludes scenes with smoking and vulgar language from the videos displayed during the single-player campaign. Blood that appears during gameplay has been recolored black.

According to Blizzard, "Since StarCraft 2 was originally developed to be a game adolescents could enjoy, we're very pleased with the Game Rating Board's decision. ... In the remaining time until StarCraft 2 goes on sale, we'll do our best to continue to perfect the game so that even more fans can enjoy it."

Blizzard also stated that discussion was ongoing on whether StarCraft 2 should be released in separate versions for adults and adolescents. At the moment, there is the possibility that Blizzard will release only the age 12 version, but they may also decide to release both versions.