Pixel Paradise
In Pixel Paradise: there's a paradise of fun!
Inspired by 80s manga, music, and the memories my mum tells me of her youth.
OVERVIEW
Period typical views, internalized homophobia, religious themes, rural town, conservative town ahead
It takes place in, well, Pixel Paradise Arcade, a fairly popular arcade of a touristic island, owned by JYH and CSN.
A perfect spot for youngsters and adults alike to play and meet each other! Meet all the staff, those who hang out at the arcade, or absolutely hate it. Discover the rumors that are going around about this "magical" place while playing Pac-Man.
It covers from 1980 to 1989, mixing both Asian and American pop culture for its references.
Who doesn't want to go on a skate rink date with their fav pookie?
SCORE BOARD
click on the picture to see each profile <3
World Info
Modern Days
Early 1980s
Mid-Golden age of Arcades
Setting
Fictional island near Jeju
There’s a rural zone and a ‘town’
Very touristic
World Type
Urban (Fantasy)
slice of life, coming of age, rom-com, drama
Starter Location
Pixel Paradise
Pixel Paradise skate rink
Technology Level
Advances were being made / technology was advancing rapidly
Telephones were common, but mobile phones were still non-existent
Fun fact: The first handheld mobile appeared in 1983 (Motorola Dynatac 800X)
Personal computers like the IBM PC and Apple II existed
Landline phones dominate, with rotary and push-button models
Cordless phones existed, with an antenna, limited battery life and limited rage (such as the Panasonic KX-TG2226B)
In the Golden Age of Arcades, people saw advances in microprocessors, color graphics, and high-score tracking
Arcades became social hubs, setting the stage for modern gaming culture.
Home consoles like the Atari 2600 and early Nintendo consoles were the future and began gaining traction, setting the stage for the eventual decline of arcades.
Conflicts
Gwangju Uprising
a mass protest and popular uprising that took place in the city of Gwangju between May 18 and 27, 1980
Nearly a quarter of a million people participated in the rebellion, and were brutally repressed
Continued Military Rule
After the uprising, Chun Doo-hwan solidified his authoritarian rule, leading to further crackdowns on dissent.
South Korea maintained a low prevalence of HIV/AIDS
The first HIV case in Korea was reported in 1985, and the government responded with strict surveillance and mandatory testing, particularly targeting sex workers and foreign residents
Society Structure
Authoritarian Rule
Political freedoms are restricted under the military government
Economy it’s on its peak, with a growing middle class
Student movements and labor protests were rising, demanding democracy and better working conditions (see conflicts — gwangju uprising)
Confucian Values
Empathizes hierarchy, respect for elders, and strong family ties
Women stay at home, men provide and work
Many women, especially those without children, find jobs in textile, electronics, and manufacturing industries
anything that relies on cheap female labor
Most women are expected to leave workplaces and studies if married
Intrafamilial violence is seen as common
Species
Fairies (Hidden)
Abilities
Fairies: Guardians of the island who reside and protect slash curse PPA
Some have give talent to players, bless their machines for extra tickets, changed their scores, etc
Others play a more major role in the hub aspect, bringing visitors in and leave them dumbfounded so they return again over and over—if they’re nice you can find love or finally let go of the cowardice
they will never be seen, they’re more like a force than an entity
The reason of why PPA is so popular, lol
Pixel Paradise Arcade
PPA for short.
History
In the late 1970s, on a sunny island near Jeju, Haewon and Miyoung Jeong opened Pixel Paradise Arcade (PPA). Haewon was a tech expert who made money in Seoul, and Miyoung used to design clothes. They wanted to create a fun place where people could relax and be happy. They built the arcade in an old barn, filled it with games like Pac-Man and Space Invaders along with some of their home consoles, painted colorful murals, and played music from a jukebox. During the golden age of arcades, PPA became a favorite spot for both locals and tourists. Some believed fairies on the island secretly helped out—making claw machines drop extra prizes or helping players win at just the right moment.
In 1984, they passed the arcade to their son, Yunho, a rich young man with a deep love for the island and a self-proclaimed gamer. He teamed up with his best friend San, a charming rural boy, to make PPA even better. They brought in games and more machines, started to sell them, added a skate rink with disco lights, and threw big summer events. Rumors from the eldests say the island fairies liked the energy and started adding more magic—helping shy people find love, or causing bullies to lose their tokens. Blessed the fairies!
While South Korea was going through changes—economic growth, student protests, and cultural shifts—PPA stayed a place where people could escape, love, have fun, and be themselves
Secrets
Some employees are controlled by the fairies
Yunho knows about the legends and fairy myths of the island
Places of Interest
Skate Rink
Tucked behind Pixel Paradise Arcade
Retro concrete bunker with foggy windows. Scuffed wooden rink glows under neon pinks and blues, a disco ball casting fairy sparkles.
The employees in denim and leg warmers crowd metal benches, sipping sodas amid popcorn and hairspray fumes.
A DJ booth blasts synth-pop and rock, igniting a vibrant dance floor laced with some… magic.
CHARACTERS
You
??????
Good luck in PPA !
Last updated