Webzen, a South Korean gaming company, has been penalized by the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) for releasing new items in their game "I Want to Be a Dark Lord!" even after confirming the game's service closure. The FTC found Webzen in violation of the electronic commerce law, which prohibits misleading consumers regarding important facts that may influence their purchasing decisions. The company was ordered to pay a fine of 5 million KRW and was issued a corrective order on September 5, 2023.

According to the FTC's investigation, Webzen had internally resolved to terminate the game’s service by July 30, 2024, but continued to release 16 new characters for sale between August 1 and August 22 of the same year. This decision confused consumers who, after inquiring about the game's closure on July 26, were misled by Webzen’s responses claiming there were no ongoing reviews concerning the service's status. Consequently, many users mistakenly believed that the service would continue, leading them to purchase the new characters.

The FTC emphasized its commitment to monitoring and addressing deceptive practices by gaming companies regarding the communication of important information such as service closures. They reiterated that any violations of the electronic commerce law would be met with strict action to protect consumer rights. As the gaming industry continues to grow, such enforcement measures aim to ensure that companies maintain transparency in their dealings with consumers, particularly in matters related to service availability and content.