What are the "Games" ?

Under "the Game Industry Promotion Act", the definition of Game material includes programs, video clips, machinery and devices which are used for leisure, learning and exercise.

Are all games required to have a rating?

Every game material (PC packages, PC online, Mobile, Arcade, Video-Console, Downloaded, Embedded games, etc.) has to be presented and rated for each platform by GCRB and GRAC (If the game is made for Computer and Console, it is required to rate for each platform even if they are the same contents.) Under "the Game Industry Promotion Act", anyone who intends to produce or distribute games for the purposing of selling or providing them for public use shall obtain a rating of their content by the Board(GCRB or GRAC) prior to their production and distribution.

 

Exceptions:
* game materials for exhibitions or tournaments recommended by an administrative authority
* game materials commissioned by a Presidential degree for educational, religious, or public interests purposes.

 

GCRB : Game Content Rating Board
GRAC : Game Rating and Administration Committee

How can I apply for the rating game?

You can apply for the rating online to GCRB(18-) or GRAC(18+) with some preparatory documents. If you do not have the certain qualification because of non-locals(especially for Certificate of Producer in Korea), local distributor is required as publisher or proxy.

Is it possible to apply for the rating directly? (for non-locals)

Unfortunately, it is not allowed to apply for the rating for non-local company by the law. To get the rating game for distributing in Korea, non-locals have to contract with local publisher or proxy before applying. Making the branch in Korea also can be the solution.

What do I have to prepare to apply for the rating game?

- Specification of the game (platform, genre, manual, etc)
- Contents Summary
- Game Representative Video (especially for violent, sexuality, crime, language, gambling, fear, and drugs)
- Game Files
- Certificate of Deposit (fees for the rating)
- Certificate of Producer (or Distributor/Publisher) in Korea
- Certificate Verification (to use online system)
- Contact information

What is the process to get the rating?

All the games distributed in Korea must get the rating by GRAC or GCRB by the law.(Games in Mobile Open Market Contents under 18, it is allowed to rate by each platform company(i.e. Google, Apple, Samsung, etc) by contract with GRAC. Or, if you want to get the rating by GRAC, it can be possible.)
See the flowchart about rating process in Korea below.

How much the fees for rating?

※ Additional taxes (10%) will be added to the fees calculated by the higher criteria table.
※ For Group1 games, they are excluded from ETC games.
※ Cost Formula = Basic price(Platform) x Network coefficient x Genre coefficient x Language coefficient
※ For small business(under 50 employees and 5 billion yearly sale), partial remission(50%) applicable
    (except for gambling games and adult only arcade games)
※ Group of Genre
      - Group1: RPG
      - Group2: FPS, Casual Action(Matchup, Rhythm, Fight, etc), Adventure, Simulation
      - Group3: Board(Puzzle, Quiz, Go, etc), Flight Shooting, Full body experience game, Sports(Racing, etc), For Education

How can I find and use the ratings to determine if a game is appropriate for my family?

The Age Ratings and Content Descriptors were developed to serve as a guide to help consumers make informed decisions about which games might be appropriate for their children and family. Clearly displayed on the front of every arcade game machine, computer and video game package, on the upper right side of online game screens, the starting screen of mobile games sold in Korea, you will find an Age Rating Symbol and Content Descriptors that suggest age appropriateness for the game. Please check Age ratings and content descriptors before enjoying your game.