Hello! This is Realworld, a playable content platform. Do you enjoy gaming? Some of you might think, 'Doesn't being cooped up in a small room just playing games reduce physical activity and social skills?' But after seeing today's examples, your perspective will change.
Thanks to technological advances, video games that were once enjoyed only on TV screens can now be experienced in offline, real-world environments. It's time to put aside the prejudice that gaming makes you inactive or socially awkward. Let us introduce you to games that have burst into reality.
'KartRider' in Real Life: BattleKart
Multiple karts line up at the starting line. Soon the starting signal sounds and they race off like lightning. They collect items placed on the floor and launch missiles at opposing karts. While the opponent hit by a missile stops momentarily, they leisurely overtake.
Sounds like a scene from 'Mario Kart' or 'KartRider'? Not quite. This is the reality at 'BattleKart,' operating in Belgium, Europe. Using projection and AR technologies, it gives participants the feeling of stepping into a video game. Is this what KartRider would look like if it became real? It resembles the game not just in racing, but also in maximizing fun through various items.
Since BattleKart can transform spaces using projection, it offers various gaming experiences beyond racing. There's BattleSnake, where you complete lines without bumping into other karts, and BattleFoot, where you dribble a virtual ball with your kart to score goals - games that sound exciting just from their descriptions.
While BattleKart is Europe-based with most locations there, it's expanding to various regions including the Middle East and Australia. The price is around 22 euros (approximately 33,000 won) for 15 minutes, which feels somewhat expensive, but we hope to see it available in Korea too.
Heart-Pounding Hide and Seek with a Killer: Identity V Immersive Chase
Some of you may already know about this from our previous coverage. At Immersive Fort Tokyo, an immersive theme park in Tokyo, Japan, there are various immersive contents. Among them, 'Identity V Immersive Chase,' a collaboration with the mobile game 'Identity V,' is a horror escape game you can enjoy in reality.
'Identity V' is a game where participants cooperate to complete missions while avoiding a killer's pursuit and escape. This mobile-based game has been transformed into a thrilling offline experience. Members caught by the killer are trapped in specific spaces, and it's up to the remaining members to decide whether to rescue them or focus on completing missions. With time constantly running out and the killer's relentless pursuit, it promises to be absolutely thrilling.
Realworld members actually visited Immersive Fort Tokyo to experience this game, and they found the missions using digital devices fascinating and enjoyable.
Squid Game Becomes Reality: Squid Game: The Experience
While not a video game, we brought news of a new offline game you can enjoy with your whole body. We recently introduced 'Squid Game: The Experience,' which operates in major cities worldwide like New York, Madrid, and Sydney. Now it's landing in Seoul's Seongsu-dong.
Detailed game information hasn't been revealed yet, but based on operations in other cities, it will likely include games from Squid Game Season 1 such as 'Red Light, Green Light,' 'Glass Bridge,' and 'Marbles.' We also expect the 'Warship' game from 'Squid Game: The Challenge' might be added. We'd love to experience 'Squid Game: The Experience,' opening February 28, 2025, together with Realworld members.
Beyond the Boundaries of Online and Offline
Technological advancement is breaking down the barriers between online and offline. We've reached a stage where we can physically experience this without needing terms like metaverse or digital twin. Games once played on computers or dedicated consoles can now be enjoyed offline in entertaining ways. Beyond simply being able to enjoy video games in reality, we must consider what fun and experiences we can provide to participants. We'll return next time with even more interesting and beneficial news. Thank you.