NCSoft is opening an adult mobile RPG generation through ‘Lineage M’.
NCSoft released Lineage M on the 21st and separately applied for rating for mature through Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC). This mobile version of Lineage M has same level of adult contents such as personal transaction between users and an exchange place for paid goods (items that are purchased with real money) as the online version of Lineage M.
Key point is the evaluation period by GRAC. Because online version of Lineage is rated for mature, most predict that there won’t be huge variables regarding the decision to rate Lineage M for mature itself. GRAC makes a final decision on rating after holding a meeting with executives every Wednesday based on reports from working group. According to its regulations, decision will be made by the 28th or the 5th of next month at the latest. Although generally it needs to make a decision by the 15th (based on working day) after receiving an application, sometimes it can postpone evaluation period. It is heard that rating for Lineage 2 Revolution, which is a game for people who are 15 years and older, was also decided past the 15th.
Level of inconvenience for users increases as evaluation period is postponed. NCSoft’s stocks fell by more than 10% after releasing Lineage M without an exchange place function because people are worried that if Lineage’s economic system will operate properly through Lineage M. Even though transaction function cannot be used right away, this function hugely affects expectation level of users.
NCSoft is planning to apply improvements to Lineage M as soon as it receives rating from GRAC. It is currently thinking about having current version of Lineage M as a rating for mature. When this happens, there will be a separate version for teens or teens won’t be able to use functions such as an exchange place while they are playing an adult version. It is heard that only very small amount of users of Lineage M are teens.

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<NCSoft’s mobile MMORPG called ‘Lineage M’ was released as summer vacation is approaching. NCSoft’s employees are demonstrating Lineage M. Staff Reporter Kim, Dongwook | gphoto@etnews.com >

However NCSoft still needs to figure out issues regarding iPhone users as it is difficult for them to play Lineage M as Appl does not support adult authentication system in South Korea.
NCSoft is expecting that it will be able to resolve significant amount of inconvenience through app emulators such as NOX that allows mobile games to be played on PCs. IPhone users then will be able to play Lineage M on PC through Plaync account and an emulator. Actually significant amount of users are already playing Lineage M through PCs by using emulators. Because UI (User Interface) of Lineage M is closer to PC, many users feel more comfortable using app emulators rather than mobile devices.
Lineage 2 Revolution set up a standard that allows teens to use an exchange place as it was rated as a game for people who are 15 years and older by lowering level of use of an exchange place on the 22nd. It is also possible to immediately apply similar level of an exchange place for Lineage M. Although NCSoft announced that it will prepare an exchange place system by the 5th of July, it has not clarified on whether it will be an exchange place for adults only or for teens and adults.
In principle, it is possible to release gaming contents that can be used by teens without going through preliminary evaluation by GRAC. However because Lineage M is rated for mature, preliminary decision by GRAC is a must.
Staff Reporter Kim, Siso | siso@etnews.com