That’s right, forget the movies or music or watching TV, in South Korea the excitement and attention of leisure activities is focused largely on online gaming.
Millions upon Millions of Koreans play games online. I’ve blogged before about PC Bang rooms, but you have to experience it to really understand. These places literally cover the country and allow people to play online sitting side by side with all of their friends or family members.
Eventhough you play online with millions of people, to do so with your friends within earshot, instead of across town, only makes the experience better.
According to Gamasutra the Top Ten Online Games at Korean PC Bang rooms are, drum roll please…
1. Sudden Attack
Genre: FPS
Developer: GameHi
Publisher: NetMarble (CJ Internet)
Genre: FPS
Developer: GameHi
Publisher: NetMarble (CJ Internet)
2. StarCraft
Genre: RTS
Developer: Blizzard
Publisher: Blizzard
Genre: RTS
Developer: Blizzard
Publisher: Blizzard
3. World of WarCraft
Genre: MMORPG
Developer: Blizzard
Publisher: Sonokong
Genre: MMORPG
Developer: Blizzard
Publisher: Sonokong
4. Special Force
Genre: FPS
Developer: Dragonfly
Publisher: Neowiz Games
Genre: FPS
Developer: Dragonfly
Publisher: Neowiz Games
5. Lineage 2
Genre: MMORPG
Developer: Hanbit Soft
Publisher: NCsoft
Genre: MMORPG
Developer: Hanbit Soft
Publisher: NCsoft
6. Lineage
Genre: MMORPG
Developer: NC Soft
Publisher: NC Soft
Genre: MMORPG
Developer: NC Soft
Publisher: NC Soft
7. WarCraft 3
Genre: RTS
Developer: Blizzard
Publisher: Hanbit Soft
Genre: RTS
Developer: Blizzard
Publisher: Hanbit Soft
8. Dungeon & Fighter
Genre: RPG
Developer: Neople
Publisher: Samsung Electronics
Genre: RPG
Developer: Neople
Publisher: Samsung Electronics
9. Audition
Genre: Arcade/MMO
Developer: T3 Entertainment
Publisher: Yedang Online
Genre: Arcade/MMO
Developer: T3 Entertainment
Publisher: Yedang Online
10. FIFA Online
Genre: Sports
Developer: EA / Neowiz
Publisher: Neowiz Games
Genre: Sports
Developer: EA / Neowiz
Publisher: Neowiz Games
Meanwhile, console gaming is practically nonexistent along with the acutal purchasing of PC games. Downloading is the name of the game in South Korea and it doesn’t matter to most if it’s legal or not. So when you’re in Korea, pop into your local PC Bang and jump online along with everyone else.
I’m a blogger, writer, and teacher. I’ve been working in South Korea’s ESL field for the last three years. My one year contract has unexpectedly turned into a journey that I’m still on and loving.