'Boosting' Skill Rankings Is Now A Criminal Offense In South Korea

South Korea takes boosting in video games pretty seriously. The government passed a law this week that makes 'Boosting', artificially increasing a player's skill ranking by getting a more skilled player to use an account, illegal and punishable by fines up to $18,000 and up to 2 years in prison. People often purchase 'boosting' services from more skilled players to reach higher rankings to get better in-game rewards or simply to present themselves as more skilled than they actually are.

The specific law passed in South Korea makes an amendment to the Game Industry Promotion Act which criminalizes boosting according to the Korean news site Inven.

Boosting services are commonly available in games with competitive ranked modes like Overwatch, League of Legends, and Counter Strike: Global Offensive. Boosted players make matches unfair as the team with a boosted player is at a disadvantage or an advantage if its being actively boosted.

While locking up people who boost accounts should lead to fairer matches, it does seem a bit severe. The mood on the comments on the South Korean news site Inven seems more upbeat though with the top comment praising the government's action.