The South Korean development studio Netmarble (Marvel Future Fight, Lineage 2 Revolution) has come under scrutiny from authorities. Following the death of an employee due to overwork, irregularities have surfaced. Apparently, Netmarble has paid employees poorly and required excessive working hours.
We reported on Friday about the death of a South Korean developer in October 2016. He reportedly worked 89 hours weekly for 12 weeks until he died from a heart disease. The developer was only in his 20s. South Korean authorities have officially determined that his death is work-related.
The deceased was employed at Netmarble Neo. This is a subsidiary studio of the South Korean hit factory Netmarble. Netmarble has been considered one of the top gaming companies in Asia since the mobile hit “Marvel Future Fight” in 2015.
Apparently, the deceased was working on “Lineage 2 Revolution”, a mobile MMORPG, which had to be completed by the end of 2016 through grueling overtime, before it could become a hit in South Korea at the beginning of 2017.
The death due to overwork is likely not an isolated case. Other fatalities have also come under suspicion of being related to overwork – this, however, has not yet been finally clarified.
Netmarble has reacted and abolished overtime and weekend work in February 2017. However, this does not keep the studio out of trouble.
Pushing employees below the minimum wage through tricks
As reported by MMOCulture, South Korean government authorities have dealt with Netmarble and the working conditions there. Former employees participated in the discussion about the “overtime culture” at Netmarble. Overtime has regularly been paid late.
It has been discovered that Netmarble tricked its employees with contract tricks. They increased working hours for employees but lowered overtime pay. This resulted in their salary remaining below the minimum wage, writes MMOCulture.
Netmarble should seek dialogue
Authorities have found that Netmarble violated occupational safety rights for years with tricks in the fine print. The competent ministry wants to initiate measures to solve these long-standing problems. It concerns hidden clauses in contracts and work-related deaths in the gaming industry. Additionally, they are urging Netmarble to seek dialogue with its employees.
Netmarble has announced it will address and resolve the cases immediately. Some of them date back years.
Netmarble is considered a rising star in Korean gaming and has dramatically increased its value following an IPO. The head of the company has the reputation of a Korean Steve Jobs. He recognized the signs of the times early and initiated a shift towards mobile gaming.
