164: Gamer Nation

[APVarney]

Gamer Nation

"Envision an alternate reality we might call 'Gamer America.'

"In Gamer America, every home and office has 20MB/s broadband that's cheaper than milk. The coolest kids in Gamer America high school go out for the StarCraft team. And there's a Gamer America network TV channel (not cable, network) broadcasting online game tournaments round the clock. No, wait, there are two channels.

"Sounds like an EverQuest fever dream? A console fan's Robitussin high? Okay, Gamer America doesn't exist - in America. But it lives for real - right now! today! - in the Republic of Korea."

Read Full Article

 

[wilsonscrazybed]

Hey Allen, are you visiting Seoul on occasion? If so I'd love to chat your ear off about Paranoia over soju and kalbi!

 

[Allen Varney]

I haven't made it to Korea yet, Wilson, but it's definitely on my list. Maybe when I go, I'll start an Escapist forum topic to set up lunches.

 

[wilsonscrazybed]

I haven't made it to Korea yet, Wilson, but it's definitely on my list. Maybe when I go, I'll start an Escapist forum topic to set up lunches.

Awesome, I look forward to the visit.

Also, to anyone who enjoyed this article; Allen's site has a great deal of information on writing and games, as well as a link to all of the articles here on our beloved Escapist.

I especially this [http://www.allenvarney.com/FAQ.html] piece. Very insightful.

 

[Yx0que]

I would love to have their broadbandconnection Here in Belgium it's €30 a month for 20GB download.
I also think it's a smart move of the Korean government to focus on games. It's a big and booming industry with a lot of potential. Every country should encourage the videogame industry, just as they would do with the movie industry.

 

[jezcentral]

I think the US (and judging by cable TV elsewhere, certainly here in the UK) has already become "Poker Nation".

 

[wilsonscrazybed]

I currently pay about 35 USD for 82mb upload here in Seoul. I sometimes joke to my friends that I would have repatriated to the US a long time ago if the internet wasn't so awesome here.

If any of you do make it out this way to Korea look me up. It's always great to meet a fellow Escapist, drink grain alcohol, and play games at an internet cafe' (PC Bang) till the wee hours of the morning.

 

[Samboya]

I live in Incheon, near Seoul. I get broadband and T.V./Movies on demand for 40 USD. This is a cool place to live

 

[Asehujiko]

Here's a tip: NO FUCKING RE RUNS ON THE INTERNET. If you wanted people to read it again, put a link to it in the thing that it's relevant to and don't cram it into the "new articles" area.

 

[teknoarcanist]

I remember Game Informer did an article like this a while back, but a lot longer and more in depth. Still though. My god :O I wish to travel to this Utopia and live amongst its people. And it shall be good.

 

[oktoberfest]

haha iloveoov is not the current #1 SC player, in fact, he retired many months ago. The current #1 rank player is Lee Young Ho (aka Flash). Kinda makes me wonder where he got his info from...

 

[Ryuuken]

I would LOVE America to be like this. But no way would it ever happen.

Whenever I feel outcasted from society for playing Video Games...I can always take solace in knowing that I would be accepted in the other side of the world.

 

[Allen Varney]

Oktoberfest: This article is a reprint from Issue #3 of The Escapist, originally published in 2006. The top-rated players mentioned in the article were those of the original pub date.

 

[EmperorDude]

I think I have found the nation I wish to live my adult life in.

 

[oktoberfest]

Oktoberfest: This article is a reprint from Issue #3 of The Escapist, originally published in 2006. The top-rated players mentioned in the article were those of the original pub date.

right, I had overlooked that, oops