Nexon is implementing a historic refund measure estimated to reach 2 billion Korean won related to its mobile game "MapleStory Worlds." This decision follows controversy over errors in probability-based items (paid gacha items), leading to the dismissal of a responsible executive and full refunds for users who purchased these items.

Nexon released "MapleStory Worlds" in November of last year. The game is based on the company's flagship IP, "MapleStory." It ranked first on Google Play Store and Apple App Store after launch, reportedly generating cumulative sales of nearly 1.5 billion Korean won over six weeks. According to app analytics service Sensor Tower, it ranked fourth in global mobile game sales growth in December of last year.

The controversy stemmed from errors in probability-based items. Users raised issues that the maximum values of abilities (stats) purchasable with real money did not align with the pre-announced probabilities. Nexon exacerbated the situation by secretly fixing the error without notifying users, sparking accusations of concealment.

As public backlash grew, Nexon announced full refunds for all payments made between November 6 of last year and the 28th of last month. Sales during this period are estimated at 1.5 billion to 2 billion Korean won.

The company will accept refund applications from the 5th to the 15th and complete refunds within one month after the application period ends.

Probability-based item sales remain a major revenue model for game companies. The temptation to manipulate probabilities for higher profits has kept the issue persistent in the industry.

To eradicate this, a revised game law took effect last August, allowing punitive damages up to three times the amount if probability manipulation is proven. President Lee Jae Myung stated in December of last year, "The fundamental reason for manipulating probabilities is profit generation," adding, "Financial treatment, economic sanctions, are necessary to block this."

The industry is on edge, with some suggesting, "Full refunds like Nexon's could become a new standard if probability manipulation resurfaces." This incident is expected to help root out the long-standing issue of probability manipulation in the gaming sector.

Nexon's Historic Full Refunds for Probability-Based Item Errors