KAOGI (Korea Association of Game Industry) decided to change its name. KAOGI announced that they are going to change the name as K-IDEA (Korea Internet & Digital Entertainment Association) on the 23rd of April.
The reason to change is to improve its image. KAOGI said “It is for escaping the image from the association is only for game itself and to raise the cultural status of game as a leisure activity for everyone.” However, some criticized its decision because they omit ‘Game’ from its name because ‘Game’ itself has a negative image as well.
In addition, they announced they are push forward to hold G-Star 2013. However, they will let companies to decide whether they are going to join G-Star 2013 or not. Typical Korean game companies like Wemade Entertainment have announced not to attend G-Star 2013 unless the government stops making unfair regulations for games. The government has tried to strengthen ‘Shutdown System’ and impose additional 1% of total sales tax from the industry. G-Star 2013 is scheduled to be held from 14th to 17th of November at Bexco, Busan.
Namkoong Whon, CEO of Wemade Entertainment, declared a boycott against GStar 2013 through his Facebook. He also proposed not to participate in GStar 2013 to people in the industry because National Assembly members from Busan participated in proposing a constitutional amendment that includes several bills tighten regulations on games such as Shutdown system.
