For the first time ever, NCSoft in Pangyo, South Korea opened its doors to Western video game journalists to tour its massive headquarters. We were there specifically to see the Western adaptation of Blade & Soul as well as its upcoming title MXM, and I'll be able to provide my thoughts on both titles later this week.
But along the way, NCSoft HQ showed off all of the facilities that made me incredibly jealous. You could definitely just live in the building and never go home.
NCSoft HQ in Pangyo
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NCSoft HQ Overview
Before starting on the tour, I sat down in NCSoft's auditorium for a presentation. This is the first slide (can't show the rest yet), which shows NCSoft's building on the outside. -
Vending Machine
These vending machines were propped up all over the place in NCSoft HQ with drinks that cost about 200 won. That's about 18 cents, people! -
Cafe
One of many cafes in the building. I saw about three (that I know of). -
Snacks in Refrigerator
I would get so fat if I worked at NCSoft. Those all look delicious. -
Patio Deck
A view of the patio right next to the cafe. NCSoft in Pangto is in the middle of the South Korean equivalent of Silicon Valley here in the States. -
Calorie-Counting Stairs
Just in case you need some encouragement to get up those stairs. In fact, the elevators announce how many calories you could have burned if you took the stairs instead. (Okay, they don't.) -
Developer Workspaces
Here, the NCSoft developers are hard at work, working in the shade of plastic leaves. I wish I had a Totoro leaf. -
Lecture Hall
NCSoft has its own university with its own courses on any relevant subjects. This is just one lecture hall in the area. -
Lineage II Chair
The back of giant Lineage II chair. NCSoft knows what's up. -
Medical Center
No, this isn't to heal your Pokemon. It's a center where everyone and anyone can see a resident doctor. Heck, they even have a daycare and school for its employee's kids. -
Phone Booth
This would be far more interesting if it were really a Phone Boo, but this isn't a booth so much as an area where you can take a phone call and talk as loudly as you want. -
Concept Art
Just a small selection of the gaming concept art books available for inspiration. -
DVD Rack
The Happy Lounge has plenty of DVDs for you to rent out or watch. -
Full Seasons of E.R.
They even have full seasons of ER! Where am I? -
Gaming Magazines
Here's a peek at what gaming magazines are available in South Korea. -
Happy Lounge
On one of the top floors of NCSoft HQ is the Happy Lounge, an in-house library for all your viewing pleasure. -
Silver PlayStation 3
Or you can check out one of their many PS3 titles on this silver PS3. -
Basketball Court
And yes, NCSoft HQ has an indoor basketball court. Next you'll say that they have a spa. -
Baseball Bat
Did you know that NCSoft owns the Dinos baseball team in Korea? Well, Nintendo of America owns the Seattle Mariners. So there, you just learned two things today. -
Exercise Room
NCSoft has a formidable exercise room to make sure all of its workers are in top-top shape. -
Figurines
NCSoft figurines in fine display in the main lobby. -
Free Lunch
No such thing as a free lunch... except or this one. I got tonkatsu with fries, salad, and corn chowder. Mmm.... -
Message Chairs
And after you're done in the steam room, you can relax in these message chairs. Can I work here too? -
Poker Chip System
The cafeteria policy for seat-saving is a poker-chip system where you leave poker chips next to seats for your friends. It's like putting quarters next to an arcade machine to save your turn. -
Spa Rooms
Damn it! They've got those too! -
Security
It's like a walking into a courtroom. -
Store
The store was unfortunately closed. I would have been much poorer otherwise. -
Artist Desk
This artist knows how to do desks right.
