Nexon to Refund $19 Million to MapleStory Players Over Misleading Item Probabilities
Nexon Korea has announced that it will distribute 21.9 billion won (approximately $19 million) in cash refunds to 800,000 users of its popular game, MapleStory. This decision comes as compensation for changing the probabilities of in-game items in a way that negatively impacted players.
This refund is the largest in history since the introduction of the collective dispute resolution system in 2007, marking a significant step in consumer protection in South Korea. It is also the first instance of compensating all consumers affected by the same issue based on recommendations from the Consumer Dispute Resolution Committee.
On September 22, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) and the Korea Consumer Agency confirmed that a collective dispute resolution agreement had been established. Players who used paid items such as the “Red Cube” and “Black Cube” from March 1, 2019, to March 5, 2021, will be eligible for compensation, even if they did not participate in the dispute resolution process. Affected users can apply for compensation through the Nexon website from September 23 until the end of the year.
Earlier this year, the FTC fined Nexon over 11.6 billion won for altering the probabilities of popular item options from an even distribution to favor less desirable outcomes beginning in September 2010. Following this, the Consumer Dispute Resolution Committee recommended that Nexon compensate about 5,000 MapleStory players with cash refunds in the form of Nexon Cash. The compensation amounts to 3.1% of the total spent on Red Cubes and 6.6% on Black Cubes.
Out of the 5,675 applicants for compensation, 86.6% (or 4,916 players) have accepted the settlement, with average payouts around 200,000 won ($170) and the highest individual payout reaching 10.67 million won ($9,000). Those who rejected the settlement can pursue legal action against Nexon.
The resolution committee also recommended a compensation plan for users who did not participate in the dispute resolution process, a plan that Nexon has agreed to. This incident represents the first time the Korea Consumer Agency has directly recruited victims in conjunction with FTC actions to initiate a collective dispute resolution process.
The FTC stated, “In just five months since the collective dispute resolution was filed on March 4, we prepared a resolution plan that compensates not only the applicants but also all 800,000 affected users, demonstrating the effectiveness of the collective dispute resolution system.”
Going forward, the FTC plans to continue implementing policies to prevent and protect game users from similar issues. Currently, there are ongoing efforts to amend e-commerce laws to require foreign game companies to designate local representatives in South Korea.
In addition to improving transparency in item probability disclosures, new regulations require game services to maintain a dedicated refund channel for at least 30 days following service termination.
Journalist’s Perspective
As gaming companies face increasing scrutiny over their monetization practices, Nexon’s response is a clear indication of shifting expectations in consumer rights. The scale of the refunds reflects a growing commitment to accountability in the gaming industry. Such measures not only protect consumers but also promote a healthier gaming environment. The FTC’s proactive approach in this case sets a precedent that could lead to more stringent regulations in the future, ensuring that players are treated fairly and transparently.
