South Korea supports gamers and introduces an anti-cheat law. Is it effective?
With all the problems in the world, one might think that politics pays little attention to gaming. But that’s far from the truth. A new law comes into effect in South Korea that specifically addresses gaming. Essentially, it is “only” a reform of an existing law that makes the distribution of cheating software, such as bots and hacks, illegal. Anyone who still offers or disseminates such programs can face up to 5 years in prison or a fine of approximately 37,000 euros.
Especially Overwatch fans should be pleased about this, as many cheats and hacks for the hero shooter originate from South Korea.
The reason for the introduction of such a law is likely due to the fact that gaming holds a significantly higher social status in South Korea than, for example, in our country. The eSports scene is particularly large in South Korea and is followed by many, which is why the pressure and desire for a “level playing field” is especially strong.
Cortyn says: I never thought that there would be a concrete law “for fair gamers”, but one is pleasantly surprised time and again. This now gives various game manufacturers the power to act against the creators of such software. Whether the distribution of cheats and hacks will decrease or whether the offering of them will simply shift to another country remains to be seen.
Furthermore, it must first be shown what loopholes this law provides and how exactly a “hack” or “cheat” is defined. All of these are not easy points – but definitely a step in the right direction.
