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Deep Inside a North Korean Arcade

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Joined: 12 Nov 2002

Deep Inside a North Korean Arcade

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This is both very cool and deeply depressing: A series of photographs taken inside a North Korean arcade proves there are worse things in life than the red ring of death.

While it would be more thrilling to claim that our very own Jordan Deam had been deep undercover in the Hermit Kingdom for the past 14 months, and had only just managed to smuggle out these photos as his last act before being arrested and summarily executed by Kim Jong-Il's dreaded secret police, the truth is that the photos are posted at UK: Resistance, and they depict the soul-deadening bleakness of the gaming opportunities available to the average North Korean.

Of course, it would be reasonable to express shock at the mere existence of North Korean gamers, but much like a spindly tree clinging tenaciously to a rocky cliff wall, they're out there, and even in that harsh and ugly environment, they're pumping quarters. We salute you, our noble North Korean brethren; your dedication and shining example will give us all pause to think the next time we want to start pissing and moaning about how we keep getting screwed by The Man.

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Copy Clerk
Posts: 83
Joined: 29 Sep 2007

I think we all need to take a look at the stuff we complain about with better perspective. Possibly even complain less? That machine looks like POWs played it.

Features Editor
Posts: 325
Joined: 11 Jan 2008

"Thrilling"? You, sir, are a bastard.

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1256
Joined: 13 Jan 2007

Sometimes, they happen to find quarters in the pockets or stomachs of those they eat.

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 3252
Joined: 8 May 2008

Is that a joke?

Infamous Scribbler
Posts: 625
Joined: 12 Jul 2008

North...Korean...Gamers...?

Suddenly I have that damn "Why can't we be friends?" song bouncing around in my head.

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 3643
Joined: 3 Apr 2008

oh my god thats depressing

Time Lord
Posts: 10073
Joined: 13 Feb 2008

Looks like my local taxi rank.

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1113
Joined: 19 May 2008

What game is it running? I can't make it out.

Ironically, this machine would probably be considered vintage in the West, possibly even sold for much more than it's actually worth :/

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 2166
Joined: 23 Dec 2007

Am I sensing some sort of gamer hands across the border type scenario?

Infamous Scribbler
Posts: 587
Joined: 9 Feb 2008

I wonder how many of those games are focused on killing the wide-eyed devils from the USA...

Beat Writer
Posts: 133
Joined: 2 Apr 2008

There's one of the arcade machines that is decorated with US circa-1943 airplanes. Took me a moment to realise that they might actually represent the bad guys in the game.

Paperboy
Posts: 19
Joined: 5 Mar 2008

I can't really make out any sort of controls on this video game. Do they just put in quarters... to watch?

Maybe we should donate games to them. Or food, shaped like video game characters, which would probably be appreciated more.

On the Record
Posts: 6221
Joined: 10 Mar 2008

Havn't got much to add to this except; Jeez, that's depressing.

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1166
Joined: 23 Jul 2008

South korea-cutting edge

North korea-'don't waste a good knife on food...'

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 4347
Joined: 9 Jul 2008

Ha...North Korea...That's actually kinda sad. As long as no one remembers it's the Soviet Union's fault, though, we're okay.

Infamous Scribbler
Posts: 594
Joined: 26 May 2008

Wow...I'm glad I'm not North Korean. Being in a totalitarian dictatorship and being starved isn't enough, but you have to play that crap?

Some things are worse than torture.

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 3664
Joined: 21 Jan 2008

Zombie_King:
Some things are worse than torture.

Have you met my friend PalinPAIN?!

As for the article, my condolences go out for my North Korean gaming siblings. They of course have more pressing matters at hand, like surviving.

 
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