Diablo III Real-Money Auction House Dropped to Secure Korean Rating

After multiple delays, it appears that Blizzard’s Diablo III has finally secured an 18+ rating in South Korea. However, as PC Gamer reports, the rating was based upon a version of the game that was devoid of a real-money auction house, which means that at least one segment of the game will not see worldwide usage and acceptance:

It looks as though the cash auction house has been removed entirely from the South Korean build of Diablo 3. The Korea Times carry a quote from the South Korean Games Rating Board stating that (the feature involving for-cash trades between users was not included in the presentation to the rating committee, and therefore it was not subjected to any scrutiny.) The GRB spokesperson also warned that they would (open up re-rating examinations) if Blizzard introduce the cash auction house in a post-launch patch.

The success of StarCraft 2 in South Korea makes it a hugely important territory for Blizzard, and while it’s unlikely that the long-running battle with South Korea’s ratings board has delayed Diablo 3’²s worldwide release, it’s a significant spat caused by Diablo 3’²s most intriguing and controversial feature.

You know, I kind of wish they’d do away with D3’s real-money transactions in the US, too. I don’t even want the temptation hovering over me when I’m trying to get the game covered on GB in a timely fashion.