Say Goodbye to Android Market Game Downloads, South Korea
The Asian markets sure are tough cookies to please. First it was Apple, now it is Google’s turn to have their service scrutinized for not having pre-approved content from the Korean government.
The California-based company has responded quickly to this notice by just announcing its intent to pull out all game content from the South Korean Android Market. This was confirmed by Google Inc.’s representative in Korea, Park Sun-Kyung. Apparently, the move was made “to abide by local law”.
Those who are wondering why the internet giant would take such a severe measure should look at the nature of the apps available in the Android Market. It would be close to impossible to continuously check and regulate all the content, what more if these were to be sent for further review by a local government.
The Korean Games Rating Board is in charge of all video game content, whether it be online (web-based) or through physical media. The Board served the warning during the early part of March.
Google has responded to the warning by stating that they will pull out completely all content related to games, which is a similar decision to what Apple has gone for when given the same terms. Google stated that the content was supposed to be uniform internationally across all Android Markets and was “impossible” to regulate based on the terms asked for by the Korean government.
As an estimate, the shut down process as a whole will take about a month to finish. More than four thousand game content will not be accessible for those with Korean Android Market accounts. This year, many more Android devices will be launched. Among the companies who have unveiled upcoming Android devices are Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB and Korean companies LG Electronics Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co.
More about this issue can be read at Gizmodo.
