The Fair Trade Commission imposed a 1.58 billion won fine on Webzen for misleading users about drop rates for probability-based items in its mobile game Mu Archangel.

The commission said on Nov. 30 that Webzen gave false information about the chances of obtaining components in probability-based items and concealed key details, violating the Electronic Commerce Act. It issued a correction order and imposed the fine.

Webzen sold three types of probability-based items between June 27, 2020 and March 2, 2024, including set treasure draw tickets, festival roulette tickets and dragon treasure tickets. It did not disclose that rare components could not be obtained unless users made a certain number of purchases.

The items required between 51 and more than 150 purchases before any chance of obtaining specific components appeared under a so-called floor system. The chance was zero before that point, but Webzen did not inform players.

For example, a user below level 400 needed 100 purchases with a set treasure ticket before gaining a 0.3 percent chance of obtaining a Legend Accessory Set Stone Package. Webzen presented only 0.88 percent or 0.286 percent without explaining the floor system.

The commission found that Webzen induced users to believe they could obtain rare components from the first purchase, and deemed the conduct deceptive.

Webzen corrected the violations and compensated some users, but only 860 of the 20,226 affected received compensation. The rate did not reach 5 percent.

The commission imposed only correction orders and a 2,500,000 won fine on four other game companies — Gravity, Wemade, Krafton and Com2uS — for similar violations between April and June this year, noting that they provided sufficient refunds and compensation. The penalty on Webzen was heavier.

A commission official said Webzen generated about 6.7 billion won in revenue from the three items during the period.

The commission ordered Webzen to stop similar conduct and prepare preventive measures. A commission official said the action signals to the market that inadequate compensation for consumer damage can lead to heavy sanctions.

Webzen apologised for the inconvenience to customers and said refund requests are continuing on its official community. It said it accepts the commission's decision and will work to prevent recurrence.