Usually, it doesn’t matter where a gamer is located.
That’s part of the magic of the global gaming community—it’s untethered to physical nearness. Players from around the world only need to log on to start competing against gamers from just about anywhere. So long as players have a solid internet connection and a multiplayer game, they can game with almost total freedom.
That’s true for titles both great and small. FPS players who enjoy competitive titles like Call of Duty can battle it out against competitive players straight from their consoles or PCs. Regardless of what language they speak, they’re thrown into the action with other players. Some players even make friends and ‘teams’ with their fellow online gamers.
Even smaller games can capture a global audience. Slots, for example, are the world’s most popular casino game. Players from around the world enjoy these short-and-sweet titles—and they even gravitate toward the same favorites, like Sweet Bonanza. With its bright and fun reel, Sweet Bonanza has the classic appeal of a retro-style game.
But let’s zoom out for a moment. While FPSs like Call of Duty and niche slots like Sweet Bonanza each have their place in the global gaming community, not all gamers want to stay remote. In fact, there’s a growing movement focused on in-person play—sort of like the arcades popular back in the 1980s.
In fact, Tokyo’s live gaming scene is based on the arcades of yore. Other cities, on the other hand, are making more innovative spaces for live gamers. Let’s take a closer look at which locations are opening their arms to this new style of gaming.
Tokyo, Japan
As outlined above, Tokyo is home to dozens of arcades. Many of them stretch across multiple floors in the city’s massive skyscrapers. In fact, most also have a specific focus. Some are more kinetic and based on activities like shooting basketballs and driving go-karts. But most are still focused on digital gaming.
The two most popular categories are retro-style games, like Street Fighter and Pac-Man. Some hardcore gamers might stay at the arcade to game for hours on end. The other popular category is VR. These advanced arcades allow multiple gamers to gear up and take on challenges together.
Atlanta, USA
Not all gaming centers are focused on digital video games. Uniquely, Atlanta, Georgia is known for its extensive escape room challenges. A handful of highly rated organizers have rolled out highly complex and uniquely themed escape rooms across the city. Some are so advanced that puzzlers will travel in from out of town to take on more difficult challenges.
Cologne, Germany
If you’ve heard of Gamescom, then you probably know why Cologne made the list. Gamescom is a massive gaming event that regularly welcomes over 300,000 gaming enthusiasts. Along with players, the event sees publicists, analysts, and other industry experts descend upon the city. Though many are working on the clock to attend promotional and press events, many are there to game.
Some of the world’s top brands and developers create exhibitions that showcase new gaming projects, retro hits, and dozens of projects in between. These give gamers the chance to explore new releases, updates from existing games, and added bonuses like DLC. Though it might not be a great city to game in year-round, Cologne’s annual Gamescom is a massive event for gamers.
Seoul, South Korea
Similar to Tokyo, Seoul is home to high-quality and competitive gaming centers. There’s even a retro console paradise that enables gamers to play on some of the most classic consoles from the 1980s and 1990s. But Seoul also has a thriving competitive in-person gaming scene.
As one of the most prestigious and competitive eSports countries, gamers can find training centers around the city. These allow them to sharpen their skills in specific games. Many gaming centers also host their own competitions, which allow more amateur players to improve their skills and dip a toe into the competitive eSports world.
