The Game Industry Promotion Act is set for a massive overhaul. Rather than patching bits and pieces, a 'total revision bill' has been proposed. The plan involves establishing a dedicated Korea Game Promotion Agency, which will house a sub-organization for post-management, effectively putting the current Game Rating and Administration Committee out of a job.

Spearheaded by Assemblyman Cho Seung-rae of the Democratic Party of Korea, the core of this revision rests on three pillars. First, the establishment of the Korea Game Promotion Agency (tentative name), tasked with promoting game culture and industry, protecting users, developing policies, and preventing game addiction.

The current Game Rating and Administration Committee will be abolished, replaced by a 'Game Management Committee' under the new agency. This body will focus on arcade games—where gambling concerns are significant—and handle illegal distribution and the setting of rating standards.

Currently, promotion is handled by the Korea Creative Content Agency, while regulation falls under the Game Rating and Administration Committee. The new proposal aims to unify these functions under one roof while scrubbing the legacy committee from existence.

Furthermore, the bill aims to refine current vague regulations—which vaguely cite 'anti-national' or 'family ethics' concerns—by tying them strictly to specific activities punishable under the Criminal Act, thereby increasing predictability for developers.

The law also bifurcates games into 'digital games' and 'place-specific games' (arcade), applying distinct management systems to each. This addresses the long-standing issue where regulations designed for physical arcades were poorly suited for digital platforms. For instance, digital games will move toward self-rating, while the new Agency keeps a tight grip on arcades.

The mandate for loot box disclosure remains, requiring clear information on item types and drop rates. The bill explicitly holds operators liable for damages if they provide false information or omit disclosures, though they may be exempt if they can prove a lack of intent or negligence.

The reform also leans into the cultural aspect. The act is being renamed the 'Game Culture and Industry Promotion Act,' and the term 'game product' is being simplified to just 'game.' Additionally, the 'Game Time Selection System' (selective shutdown) and the mandatory consent requirements for all-age games will be scrapped. Assemblyman Cho has also proposed a tax amendment to include game expenses in cultural tax deductions.

Finally, the bill provides a foundation for supporting small and medium-sized developers through tax incentives. Legislations regarding tax credits for K-content production costs, including games, are expected to move forward following a discussion scheduled for the 30th.

A partial amendment to the eSports Promotion Act was also proposed, mandating the formation of an 'eSports Promotion Advisory Committee' and requiring that eSports plans include international cooperation and support for domestic titles at global events.

Assemblyman Cho explained that the current 2006 law, rooted in the era of arcade cabinets, has been widely criticised as a 'regulation bill' masquerading as a 'promotion bill'—a legacy of the 'Sea Story' gambling scandal. By incorporating proposals from the Democratic Party's Special Committee on Games, the bill seeks to address these outdated realities.

Assemblyman Cho stated, "K-content's global status is rising, and we need robust laws to support the game industry, which accounts for 50% of our cultural content exports. I hope this total revision will serve as a catalyst for the industry to leap forward from its current stagnation."