The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Fri, May 20, 2022 | 10:30
Game
PUBG hit for using controversial 'Rising Sun Flag'
Posted : 2018-07-15 17:22
Updated : 2018-07-16 10:55
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
The mobile version of PUBG's mega-hit computer game 'Playerunknown's Battlegrounds' / Courtesy of PUBG
The mobile version of PUBG's mega-hit computer game "Playerunknown's Battlegrounds" / Courtesy of PUBG

By Jun Ji-hye

Game developer PUBG, a subsidiary of Bluehole, has been facing criticism for releasing a game item with an image of the Rising Sun Flag of the Japanese imperial military on it in the mobile version of the firm's mega-hit computer game "Playerunknown's Battlegrounds."
The mobile version of PUBG's mega-hit computer game 'Playerunknown's Battlegrounds' / Courtesy of PUBG
Chang Byung-gyu, chairman of the board, founder and chief strategy officer of Bluehole that holds a 100 percent stake of PUBG

The game raised the eyebrows of many Korean gamers who regard the flag as the symbol of a war crime representing Japan's imperialism and invasion of foreign countries, including Korea, during World War II.

Bluehole holds a 100 percent stake in PUBG.

On Saturday, the firm released a pilot mask item in the mobile game but was soon embroiled in controversy as the item's design resembled the Rising Sun Flag.

On the same day, the company faced another controversy after an artificial intelligence (AI) game bot that used the ID of "Unit 731" was found while a well-known streamer "ATHENA" was playing the game.

Unit 731 was a notorious Japanese chemical and biological research unit that committed atrocities against the Korean, Chinese and Mongolian peoples, including lethal human experiments.

An AI game bot is a virtual player that is put into a game to enliven it, and the game developer names the bot.

Amid mounting controversy, PUBG removed the pilot mask item from the in-game shop hours after its release and made a formal apology, after checking the item with Tencent's Lightspeed & Quantum Studios that co-developed the mobile version of the game.

"We apologize for causing concerns over a pilot mask item," the firm said in a written apology uploaded on its official online fan cafe. The message mentioned they removed the item from the in-game shop at 4:20 p.m. on Saturday.

The firm said it is collecting the items that were already sold and will compensate users.

"We will conduct an overall re-examination of our image production process to prevent such a recurrence," the firm said.

The firm also apologized for the improper ID of the game bot, saying the ID will be deleted as well.

On Sunday, the company uploaded another written apology, explaining the controversial item was supposed to be deleted before being exposed to users, but the deletion was not done properly.

"We will enhance procedures to scrutinize game items before their releases and hold the person in charge responsible," it said.

The firm added it will refund the money of users who bought the controversial item and award all "Battlegrounds" players 150UC as part of its apology _ 150UC is in-game money worth 2,750 won ($2.4), with which gamers can buy items.

"Battlegrounds," a survivor shooter game reminiscent of the Japanese film "Battle Royale," was released in March last year to gain early access on Steam, the world's largest online game store platform. Then, it became a great hit on the global market.

The Korean game has received various awards in and outside the country, and its mobile version, released on May 16, continues to be popular.


Emailjjh@ktimes.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic [PHOTOS]
  • Korea to resume issuing short-term travel visas, e-visas next month
  • Why doctors oppose Nursing Act legislation
  • KBO commissioner proposes holding season openers, regular games in US in meeting with MLB official
  • Huge fire erupts at S-Oil's Ulsan factory
  • Luna fiasco escalates into class action by victims
  • US denial of Biden-Moon meeting triggers speculation
  • Consumers alarmed by high sodium, saturated fat in meal-kits
  • Black Eagles seek to show ROK Air Force's prowess in England
  • Small Seoul temple becomes beacon for religious harmony
  • PSY's first boy group TNX makes much-anticipated debut with EP 'Way Up' PSY's first boy group TNX makes much-anticipated debut with EP 'Way Up'
  • MBC's 'Tomorrow' denies intentional use of BTS members' name, birthdates MBC's 'Tomorrow' denies intentional use of BTS members' name, birthdates
  • [INTERVIEW] Son Suk-ku portrays different villain in 'The Roundup' [INTERVIEW] Son Suk-ku portrays different villain in 'The Roundup'
  • Sequels to hit Korean films await theatrical release this year Sequels to hit Korean films await theatrical release this year
  • Kim Sae-ron apologizes for her alleged DUI incident Kim Sae-ron apologizes for her alleged DUI incident
DARKROOM
  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic [PHOTOS]

    People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic [PHOTOS]

  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

  • End of mask mandates

    End of mask mandates

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group