For years, PC gamers have often suspected that Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s ruler and supreme leader, is the lone Steam user in the country (as shown in the Steam Global Traffic Map). That’s why the Steam community went abuzz when just yesterday, the North Korean Steam user seemingly went offline. Thankfully, this disappearance was short-lived since the North Korean Steam user, whom many assumed to be Kim Jong Un, is now back online, and it just so happens that Stellar Blade from South Korea is breaking records on PC.
The news of the lone North Korean Steam user’s disappearance and relatively quick reappearance went viral on the Steam subreddit. Reddit user Kirby_coltellino was the first to break the news, less than a day ago, that the NK Steam user went offline after years online (since 2016). Several hours afterward, Reddit user AmulyaCattyCat also broke news that the NK Steam user is back online again, and the subreddit welcomed them back with open arms.
At the moment, the Steam user from North Korea is still online and active, something you can check for yourself using the Steam Global Traffic Map (Satellite View). Both the internet and video games are heavily controlled by the government in North Korea, and foreign media (including games) are prohibited, unless, of course, someone in power wants to check out what all the fuss is about.
Of course, the jokes came pouring in because Steam users have often wildly guessed that the North Korean account belongs to Kim Jong Un himself. After all, no one is likely going to risk jail over media that’s deemed as hostile propaganda by the state. Kim, being a dictator, is most likely immune to such a crime. We’re not confirming it, but we’re also not denying its plausibility.
Is That Kim Playing Stellar Blade?
Meanwhile, the other wild guess is that this North Korean Steam user simply couldn’t resist playing Stellar Blade. The Steam Global Map doesn’t exactly show which games these specific users downloaded, but right now, Stellar Blade from a South Korean studio is one of the most popular games on the PC.
Hence, many Redditors have made up their own headcanon or assumption that Kim Jong Un simply wanted to see what their closest enemy created. Some have even joked that he merely went to the bathroom and came back to gaming, while playing Stellar Blade or maybe something else. Kim Jong Un, for the record, reportedly showed interest in video games and other Western media.
Regardless, Steam users are merely happy to see the most unlikely gamer on the planet (whoever it is) back to gaming again.
“Quick toilet break,” explains VictorSullyva
“Kim’s like ‘Wait! Stellar Blade launched on PC?’,” says prodigyZA
“Welcome back Kim!” cheers ClassicXD23
“We all like to assume the funny that Kim Jong Un is on counterstrike but this is actually because North Koreas only point of connection is in Pyongyang.
There is more than likely a few people on Steam in North Korea at any given time, from People in Political Power, Foreign Diplomats, and i think Forgein Tourists. However, no matter where you use Steam, it will show your location as Pyongyang. So it looks like only 1 person is online,” suggests Extrimland
