Is Microsoft overlooking Korean gamers?

Game industry expert says Korean gaming market has lost appeal with rise of competitors such as China

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (SteamDB)

Microsoft’s decision not to release its latest title in South Korea has reignited criticism over its neglect of Korean gamers -- and game industry experts say such a move reflects Korea's declining standing in the global gaming industry.

Bethesda Softworks, a US-based game publisher under Microsoft, released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered at midnight Wednesday (Korean time), marking the return of the 2006 role-playing game classic. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered launched globally via digital storefronts of Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S.

The remastered game features a visual overhaul of the original game using Unreal Engine 5, expanded gaming territories, as well as newly added dialogues, visual and audio effects.

Notably absent in the global launch is South Korea, with the country being one of the only two countries where the game is not available for purchase on Steam, alongside Russia. On Steam, the game is available for purchase in 41 countries.

The omission has reignited longstanding criticism of Microsoft’s localization strategy and its perceived neglect of the Korean gaming community.

The Outer Worlds 2, another upcoming Microsoft title, is reportedly not planning to include Korean language support at launch, echoing the nationwide controversy that surrounded the release of Starfield in 2023. Microsoft’s decision to exclude a Korean language option in Starfield had sparked public outcry, including protests, boycotts and online petitions from Korean gamers demanding language support for the game.

In January, frustration also mounted over Microsoft’s promotion of Diablo 1 Remastered, a Blizzard title added to Game Pass. Although the game was marketed in Korea, it was never released in the local market, prompting accusations of false advertising.

Industry analysts say the company’s diminishing focus on Korea reflects broader shifts in the global gaming landscape.

“The Korean gaming market has lost much of its appeal (as a consumer) due to the rise of competitors such as China,” said Wi Jong-hyun, president of the Korea Game Society.

According to him, Korea was once a strong consumer as well as a potential partner, with leading game IPs in mobile and RPG gaming sectors. However, he said China has stepped in to overtake Korea, with its gaming industry experiencing strong growth.

“From Microsoft’s perspective, the priority is console sales, but Xbox remains a hard sell in Korea,” Wi added. “As for the recent Elder Scrolls situation, there may have been technical or localization issues for the company to leave out only Korea and Russia. But in the past, such factors wouldn’t have stopped publishers from prioritizing Korea. Today, the incentive just isn’t there.”