How Did PC Gaming Take Over South Korea? - Rise of An Esports Empire

How did PCs become the most popular form of gaming in South Korea?

To this day in Japan, arcades continue to be a huge gathering hub for gamers of every kind. The bright flashing lights and chaotic mix of noises have become a welcoming and at times even nostalgic setting for those who come to just sit down, relax, and throw some time away doing what they love, playing games with others.

While arcades became a huge part of Japan’s culture, their South Korean neighbors went another direction and created a gaming culture from another console instead. You can still experience the same flashing lights and hear the symphony of clicks that you would expect from an arcade, South Korea’s version wasn’t filled with arcade cabinets but PCs instead.

So how did PCs become the dominant platform of choice for gaming in South Korea?

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[DreamyAbaddon]

I wish Japan was PC centric like Korea instead of consoles...

[spiedi]

Yet again you make a video about a (at least to me) obscure but interesting topic. It baffles me how diverse these topics are and how you're able to make such amazing videos about them <3

[konadora]

Thanks for covering this topic, as a South Korean, I can safely say that you've hit the nail on most of the points.

One more point is that in 1995, the South Korean government initiated the Korean Information Infrastructure project, which worked on creating a very strong and connected Internet infrastructure. This was a major push that allowed PC bangs to pop up everywhere and have good connection to play multiplayer games. This, combined with the rise of Starcraft: Brood War on national TV channels (OnGameNet and MBCGame), made PC bangs a true part of South Korean culture.

PC bangs also have a ton of service, such as the sale of instant noodles, drinks and even hot cooked meals in some places, as well as discounts for long term booking. They have a software that lets you order food straight from your PC, and the staff will deliver hot dogs, instant noodles topped up with hot water, and whatever else you ordered straight to your seat. And every night (or in some cases, every time when you end your session and a new user takes over your seat), the data in the PC resets, so you don't really have to worry about leaving personal data behind and whatnot.

I remember going to PC bangs and playing Starcraft and Diablo 2 for almost ten hours a day in PC bangs, only paying around $8 back then around 2004 for the whole day. It was such an amazing childhood.

[thechknnuggetgod]

This channel so underrated, love the content y’all make

[spahghettiboi]

6:55 love the starcraft/hots music in the background

[RugDealing]

That Maplestory Ereve OST at 8:35 sent me to nostalgia land.

[MikeauxlGaming]

Crazy how dope shit always comes out of historical hardships, had no idea great vid

[Luvinist]

Came for a gaming documentary, came away with the best explanation on 1997 Asian financial crisis on YouTube.

[loveaintfree]

Finally a youtuber who actually did research before posting a video. Good job !!

You have no idea how helpful your videos are to me. Thanks to your channel I'm starting to understand and enjoy competitive gaming. This is really great content.

[aaronnnm]

the reply 1988 intro song is such a nice touch. amazing content.

[incognito_donut]

Now I understand why they so cracked in every freaking game!

[SkimoStories]

Cheer up, Jonah!! :( My favourite videos every week and 50% of it is your enthusiastic commentary. Hope everything is ok bro!! <3

[booyawooya]

I did a solid double take at the intro song. An absolutely perfect choice when looking into 90s Korea, and likely not too well known outside of Korea and those that watched reply 88.

[ZapataCarratala]

The history lesson was much appreciated!

[chicken]

as an indonesian i am jealous they get to play such game at early years.

[protocetid]

PC should be the most popular gaming platform everywhere

[fractalized]

This is one of the most informative channels i've ever come across, i mean we learning about gaming, politics and economy at the same time? Damn son!! Keep the amazing work going on pls! This is fantastic!

[mathewphoria]

haha those chat lobbys in old SC games in the 90's were so hilarious... GOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGO they would spam so much of that

[csolisr]

Curious thing that the rise of PC gaming in Korea shares similar reasons to the rise in China: the ban on importing gaming consoles plus the cheap cost and accessibility of internet cafés.