Rating Game Committee

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Prior to the foundation of GRB, the Korea Media Rating Board rated video games like most other entertainment media. In 2006, the controversies surrounding the arcade gambling game Sea Story, which the Korea Media Rating Board found suitable for all-age, lead to allegations of misconduct. The Korean government responded by creating the GRB in 2006 and making it the only rating organization for rating video games in South Korea. The GRAC has been criticized as one of the elements of the Internet censorship in South Korea, and is seen as similar to how censorship in China is carried out. By law, games sold in the country must be rated by GRAC prior to sale; additional regulations stipulate age and real name verification for certain mature-audience titles, as well as regulations on location-based games. In October 2022, the GRAC's sudden decision to raise the age rating of video games was accused of being an illegitimate policy, leading to an audit of the board suggested by Democratic Party politician Lee Sang-heon.

In Their Own Story

The GRAC currently uses four different age ratings. Former ratings also exist. Content descriptors are provided. See also: Video game content rating system.

Reader's Guide

The GRAC is a South Korean governmental organization. It rates video games to inform customers of the nature of game contents. By law, games sold in the country must be rated by GRAC prior to sale. Additional regulations stipulate age and real name verification for certain mature-audience titles, as well as regulations on location-based games. The GRAC currently uses four different age ratings. Former ratings also exist. Content descriptors are provided.

Did You Know?

• The GRAC was formerly called the Game Rating Board (GRB) until December 23, 2013.
• The GRB was created in 2006 after the Sea Story arcade gambling game controversy led to allegations of misconduct against the Korea Media Rating Board.
• In October 2022, the GRAC's sudden decision to raise the age rating of video games was accused of being an illegitimate policy, leading to an audit suggested by Democratic Party politician Lee Sang-heon.
• By law, games sold in South Korea must be rated by the GRAC prior to sale.
• The GRAC has been criticized as one of the elements of Internet censorship in South Korea, and is seen as similar to how censorship in China is carried out.