No mercy for cheaters. Those offering boosting services in games must go to jail – at least that’s what a new law in South Korea aims for.
South Korea is currently taking things quite seriously when it comes to protecting video games and the associated eSports. After recently passing a law that makes hacks and private servers illegal, the next step follows.
If the Game Industry Promotion Act comes into effect, boosting will also be illegal in South Korea. This includes all services that play someone’s account for a fee to give them an advantage.
An example would be a leveling service for World of Warcraft, which promises to level a new character to the maximum level for a certain fee.
But there are also such boosting services in games like Overwatch that provide buyers with a higher skill rating, resulting in better rewards at the end of the season.
If caught, one can face a penalty of up to two years in prison or pay up to $20,000. To recoup the fine through leveling services, many customers would have to resort to such a service.
One of the lawmakers, Lee Dong Sub, stated: “To give an example of why boosting is so bad: It’s like taking a test, but you are not answering the questions, rather someone you paid for it does. There are three diseases plaguing the gaming industry and eSports: illegal hacks, illegal private servers, and professional boosters.”
What do you think about South Korea’s approach? Would you like to see such laws in Germany as well? Or do you even use boosting services yourself because you find leveling too time-consuming?
Hacks and private servers will be illegal in South Korea by the end of the month!
