The Korea Game User Association has formally filed an 'illegal game report' and a public petition with the GRAC, arguing that the newly introduced 'Weka Auction House' in Nexon's Mabinogi Mobile violates the Game Industry Promotion Act and established rating classification regulations.

The Association reached out to the GRAC on the 3rd, seeking a definitive take on the 'Weka Auction House.' They essentially asked whether it's legally sound to introduce an auction house using paid currency into a teen-rated game without a fresh rating application or a content modification report, and how such a feature should impact the game's age rating.

In its response, the GRAC clarified that a system allowing players to trade items using paid currency is generally classified under the criteria for 'Adults Only' ratings. They further noted that any modifications involving a marketplace reliant on paid currency require a mandatory content modification report.

Furthermore, the GRAC stated that when auction currency is a hybrid of paid and free sources, one must weigh the method and proportion of paid acquisition holistically. Consequently, they confirmed that separate monitoring and verification are now in order.

The 'Weka' currency used in the Mabinogi Mobile 'Weka Auction House' is obtained in two ways. First, players can purchase raw 'Weka Ore'—a paid item—and convert it into Weka.

The second method involves reaching a 'Gold' tier status through selling and buying performance, which allows players to purchase a 'Weka Voucher' using 'Deka' (free currency). However, the consensus is that this effectively forces early-stage paid purchases, as one needs to spend real money to build up the trading record required to climb the auction tier.

The Association also flagged the 'Weka Voucher Gifting' feature available to Gold-tier users, warning it is being abused as a backdoor for real-money trading (RMT). Since the launch of the auction house, in-game chat has reportedly been flooded with RMT and cashback offers, with several instances of fraud already coming to light.

Following the official report, the GRAC is now monitoring the Mabinogi Mobile Weka Auction House to determine if it qualifies as a 'paid currency auction house' by evaluating currency acquisition methods, usage, and weight. The decision on whether to initiate a mandatory re-rating lies with the GRAC, pending a thorough investigation and committee vote.

The Association has demanded stern measures, including mandatory re-rating, corrective orders, or administrative guidance. Association Chairman Lee Chul-woo stated: "The Weka Auction House is a double-dipping revenue structure that goads users into bidding wars while generating new paid currency and skimming transaction fees," adding that "given the high proportion of teenage players in Mabinogi Mobile, the implementation of this auction house should have been handled with far more caution."

Meanwhile, the Association pointed out that beyond the rating violation allegations, the game is facing severe backlash for introducing a way to acquire items shortly after marketing them as 'limited edition' legendary costumes. Frustrated players are currently filing individual damage relief requests with the Korea Consumer Agency and gearing up for potential class-action lawsuits.