South Korea Lifts Ban on Game Luck be a Landlord, but Challenges Persist
South Korea has officially lifted its ban on Luck be a Landlord, a roguelike deck-building game by indie developer TrampolineTales, bringing the game back to mobile app stores in the country. Despite this victory, the game remains banned in 12 other countries due to policies surrounding gambling mechanics.
A Game Misunderstood as Gambling
Luck be a Landlord revolves around using a virtual slot machine to earn symbols and optimize outcomes to pay rent. The developer, Dan DiIorio, has repeatedly stressed that the game does not simulate gambling, nor does it involve real-world currency or microtransactions. However, in 2023, the game was pulled from app stores by Google, with Apple following suit, citing violations of gambling policies.
South Korea was a critical market for the game, contributing significantly to mobile revenue, prompting DiIorio to make the country his top priority for lifting the ban. After paying for a reclassification through South Korea's Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC), the game was initially granted a 12+ rating and reinstated on Google Play in January 2024.
A Sudden 19+ Rating and Complications with Apple
In May 2024, GRAC unexpectedly re-rated the game as 19+, limiting its accessibility. DiIorio's appeals to challenge the decision went unanswered. Apple later informed him that the game could only return to the iOS App Store in South Korea if he updated its rating to 17+ globally, complicating matters further.
Frustrated with the process, DiIorio complied with Apple’s requirements, stating, “I find this stipulation ridiculous, but frankly, I'm done fighting this.” With the adjustments made, the game was finally relisted on the App Store for South Korean users.
A Critique of Inconsistent Ratings Standards
DiIorio criticized the inconsistency in rating policies, comparing his game’s strict treatment to other mainstream games like Genshin Impact and Madden, which use microtransactions and chance-based mechanics but carry lower age ratings. “Meanwhile, games that contain no real-money gambling like Balatro have an 18+ rating,” he wrote, expressing frustration with the arbitrary decision-making process.
The developer also reflected on the stifling effect of these regulations on creativity. “My next game won’t have any gambling themes whatsoever. Congratulations ratings boards, you’ve successfully stifled creativity.” He ended on a bitter note, pointing out how the system fails to address the real issue of loot boxes in popular games, which, he said, contribute to gambling addictions among young players.
While Luck be a Landlord is now available in South Korea again, the ordeal highlights the challenges faced by indie developers navigating inconsistent and restrictive gaming regulations. DiIorio’s experience sheds light on how poorly implemented policies can hinder creativity while failing to address actual problems in the gaming industry.
