[1-6]

In the late 1990s, living in South Korea during the fallout of the IMF financial crisis, my friends and I discovered PC bangs. These gaming havens offered titles like Rainbow Six, MechWarrior 2, and the legendary StarCraft. As a teenager, those moments were unforgettable—sitting in a buzzing PC bang, immersed in epic battles, sparked a lifelong passion for computer networks that I still pursue today.

In the 2000s, I helped establish CyberCafe, a PC bang in Oakland, California, where a diverse crowd came together to play StarCraft and Counter-Strike. It was a vibrant community hub, filled with shared excitement.

I wish PC bangs would make a comeback. Despite our powerful home setups and fast internet, gaming solo in your room can’t match the electric atmosphere of playing alongside others in a match, surrounded by camaraderie and competition.

[unstppbl]

There are lots of computer clubs throughout the world. Especially in CIS region. In Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, where I live, there are 182 computer clubs, with average 20-30 pcs. From low cost to luxury options, culture of going to computer clubs with your friends is still strong here

[yard2010]

PC Bangs in Korea are so awesome. I wish we had some where I live. The atmosphere is hard to describe. They are easy to miss. If you happen to get to Korea (gz as this whole country is just tantalizing) don't skip on the PC Bang experience!

[vaylian]

What are "PC bangs"? Are they like internet cafes, but meant for gaming?

[sahn44]

I taught English in Seoul for a year in '02/'03. bang = room. There was (maybe still is?) a PC bang on every block or two pretty much. I'm sure I went at least 100 times. Great way to kill some time playing counter-strike for me and dabbling in starcraft. It was maybe $1.50/hr at the time. For a much better PC, nice chair, pre-installed games and snacks available.

[nemomarx]

broadly yeah. the computers have games pre installed and sometimes with subscriptions or free game time included in the price of your time there etc

[NickC25]

Alternatively, there's enough folks here who could probably commit to a time/day every month to play some of these games online.

Obviously, not the same as doing it in a cafe or a LAN party, but I'd personally love to play some Brood War with fellow HN folks. Private server or not, i don't really care - I just want to play with people I can connect with in the lobby or in a discord server or whatever.

I never got into SC2 but Brood War IMO is the best RTS ever made hands down.

[eru]

Weren't consoles with split screen supposed to fill that niche (too), right in your living room?

[jamiek88]

Consoles don’t even have split screen any more. Sucks.

[pbronez]

Sure they do - depends on the game. Baulder’s Gate 3 can handle split screen coop. It Takes Two is a co-op only platformer. Knight Squad gets up to 8 people playing at once.

You can find many more options here https://www.co-optimus.com/games.php

[bee_rider]

It’s more like: the default assumption of a AAA console games used to be some local multiplayer. Now, you have to look for it.

[Gud]

Different kind of experience