Supreme Court rules against Nexon in suit over deceptive practices on in-game items

This undated photo shows the headquarters of Nexon in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Korea Times file

This undated photo shows the headquarters of Nexon in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Korea Times file

The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled against Korean gamemaker Nexon in a suit over its alleged deceptive practices on in-game items, marking the first ruling of its kind.

The top court ordered Nexon's branch in Korea to return 5 percent of the 11 million won ($7,882) the plaintiff spent on buying in-game items for the game company's flagship title, MapleStory, upholding the appellate court's decision.

In 2021, Nexon was found to have changed the probability of randomized items for MapleStory to the disadvantage of users without notifying them.

This marks the first ruling by the Supreme Court on the suspected manipulation of the probability of receiving in-game items by local game companies.

Following the ruling, Nexon said it will "do its best to provide better game services to its customers and restore users' trust."

The company also said it has accepted the Korea Consumer Agency's mediation on collective disputes filed by its users seeking compensation in similar cases.

Earlier this year, the Fair Trade Commission imposed a record 11.6 billion-won fine on Nexon over the case. (Yonhap)

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