411 REFERENCE · Wikibooks
History of video games/Platforms/Moranbong
Reference material by Wikibooks contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
thumb|Pyongyang in 2018. Pyongyang is the capitol city of North Korea.
History
As early as the year 2000 concerns about using North Korea using games consoles as guidance computers for weapons platforms lead to export restrictions of gaming hardware to North Korea.BBC News ASIA-PACIFIC Military fears over PlayStation2 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/716237.stm 7 January 2021 news.bbc.co.uk20 Years Later: How Concerns About Weaponized Consoles Almost Sunk the PS2 https://www.pcmag.com/news/20-years-later-how-concerns-about-weaponized-consoles-almost-sunk-the-ps2 7 January 2021 PCMAG en Additionally there is a high poverty rate in the North Korean general population,Crespo Cuaresma Jesús Danylo Olha Fritz Steffen Hofer Martin Kharas Homi Laso Bayas Juan Carlos What do we know about poverty in North Korea? Palgrave Communications 17 March 2020 6 1 1–8 10.1057/s41599-020-0417-4 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-020-0417-4 7 January 2021 en 2055-1045 as well as a state controlled and censored entertainment industryNorth Korea’s human rights: What's not being talked about https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44234505 7 January 2021 BBC News 18 February 2019 which has contributed to a rather small video game industry in the country. However by the late 2010's there was high demand for foreign entertainment products in the country, especially by the elite of North Korea.How leisure time is changing for North Korea's privileged https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42910896 7 January 2021 BBC News 21 April 2018
The Moranbong is perhaps the only game console to see an official release in North Korea. The system caught the attention of gaming media outlets following a press release by a North Korean website on September 9th, 2019.North Korea has a Video Game Console Now For Some Reason https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/north-korea-has-video-game-console-now-for-some-reason 7 January 2021 TechRaptor en The console is marketed as a way to improve physical fitness through exergaming, which it achieves with motion controls. The North Korean cartoon character Clever Raccoon Dog was apparently used in console promotions.
Due to the closed nature of North Korea, little more is known about the console outside the country. Still the console is historically significant, as it not only is likely the first game console made for the North Korean market, it is also a sign that the North Korean government views video games as an entertainment medium it can use to further its policies, as this console is focused on making the population more fit. Such explicit political involvement in a game console is rare, and provides a fascinating insight to the priorities of the North Korean government.
Technology
The game console uses camera based motion controls, remotes, and a floor mat to allow for exergaming experiences. The game console also doubles as an general multimedia device, and has edutainment software.Moranbong is North Korea's new video game console with Wii-esque controls https://mspoweruser.com/moranbong-is-north-koreas-new-video-game-console-with-wii-esque-controls/ 7 January 2021 MSPoweruser The Moranbong appears to be a localized version of either the Subor G80, or the Cdragon Cassidy G80, both game consoles from China.Random: This North Korean Games Console Is Straight Outta 2006 https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/10/random_this_north_korean_games_console_is_straight_outta_2006 7 January 2021 Nintendo Life 29 October 2019
Again, due to the closed nature of North Korea, little more is known about the technology used by the console, or what games it can play.
References
Mass media in North Korea Clever Raccoon Dog
Media of North Korea
2
100%
__NOTOC__