With the comprehensive amendment to the Game Industry Promotion Act (hereinafter referred to as the Game Act) tabled last year, voices are growing that if we really want to see meaningful change, we must ditch legacy baggage like the 'game over-immersion' regulations.

The Korea Game Policy Autonomy Organization hosted the 'Game Act Comprehensive Amendment Expert Forum' at the HJ Business Center Gwanghwamun in Seoul on the 13th, dissecting the bill's core components and brainstorming ways to bolster its true intent.

Originally proposed by Democratic Party lawmaker Jo Seung-rae, the bill is seen as an attempt to finally break away from the regulation-heavy framework that has haunted the industry for 20 years since the 2006 'Sea Story' scandal. By explicitly weaving the word 'culture' into the legislation, it aims to legally recognize the artistic and social weight of games while setting a foundation for the next two decades.

Director Lee Jang-joo noted, "Shifting the focus from the negative to 'balanced game usage' widens the scope for beneficiaries. We need to frame gaming as a culture of self-regulation rather than a vice to be controlled, which would help mitigate potential side effects."

He pushed for replacing the alarmist 'game over-immersion' label with 'balanced usage,' arguing that regulations should focus on whether daily functioning is actually impaired, rather than just counting the minutes on the clock.

Identity verification, he argued, is largely ineffective at preventing addiction. Instead, checks should be targeted at real-world risks like payments or access to adult content. He also warned against using vague, subjective terms like 'wholesome' or 'proper' in policy, advocating instead for an environment that supports 'sustainable and harmless participation.'

Regarding hacks and private servers, he suggested setting clear criteria for severity. He also proposed applying concepts like 'non-punishable upon victim's will' or 'fair use' to protect fan-run servers or non-commercial projects, ensuring that innocent players aren't caught in the crossfire.

There was also talk of tightening the screws on foreign publishers, specifically regarding the domestic representative system, to ensure they provide the necessary data when under scrutiny.

As for governance, the consensus was clear: when establishing a dedicated body, a simple transfer of staff won't cut it. To avoid creating just another 'rebranded' agency, there must be a rigorous vetting process—especially for those with disciplinary records—to ensure a genuine fresh start.

Other suggestions included building a 'feedback loop' to periodically assess the efficacy of legal interventions, similar to European models, and doubling down on foundational research into the cultural value of games.

Finally, with the shifting landscape of the National Assembly later this year, the panel stressed that the hard work of persuading new Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee members will be vital for the bill's survival.