Professional Gaming

[RavenTDA]

So I was home sick today and I saw this show on TV that was about professional gaming. I've never even heard that there was such a thing about it before. But from what I understand there's a lot of contests held that can win some pretty outragous cash prizes as well if you're really good enough you can get sponsers that ship you around the world to compeat in other countries. That sounds so cool to me. But what are the games that they play? The show talked about Quake 4 and Halo 2, though I've never played either of them before (yeah I know >_> )

So what my question to you guys is what do you think of professional gaming? Do you think it will die out? What other games do you know of that have actual contests and are you a professional gamer yourself (or just try to be). Have you ever participated in any localized contests before and really just how difficult or easy it is?

I think I'm wanting to cash in on this. I had a nortiriety for being the best videogame player in my school back in HS. If I could make money off it, it'd be awsome!

Your thoughts?

 

[ArtBane]

I have entered a few game tournaments in the past. I also could say I was the best at certain games in my high school but once I made it out to college and started going to tournaments I met people who were well beyond my level. It was quite a humbling experience and it made me want to get better. But after playing the same game over and over seriously with these skilled people it became less and less fun. I eventually lost interest in playing competitively as I much preferred playing casually with my friends.

Playing at tournaments can be a fun way to meet some cool people (and assholes) but don't expect to win that much. The most I ever won from a tourney was a $50 EB gift certificate. You could win more if you get into the big leagues but that requires the same amount of dedication a pro athlete gives to a sport.

 

[kaidus]

Well there is CAL - Cyberathletes Amature League. I know it says amature, but I am pretty positive there are cash prizes. They support tonnes of games. Battlefield 2, counterstrike source, half life 2 deathmatch, halo 2, etc etc.

 

[Minkoff]

Pro gaming is such a stupid, boring concept. Who likes to watch other people play video games? I don't think it'll take off and if it does I will hate the world just that much more.

 

[Lene]

Considering The Wizard a really old 80s movie was centered around competitive gaming, it seems the idea has probably lasted a while. I doubt it's going to be/turn into something huge, but I think it has a future...

 

[FlippyD]

Pro gaming is such a stupid, boring concept. Who likes to watch other people play video games? I don't think it'll take off and if it does I will hate the world just that much more.

Allow me to present you with an alternative point of view...

"Professional sports are such a stupid, boring concept. Who likes to watch other people play sports games? I don't think it'll take off and if it does I will hate the world just that much more."

Games are sports, just in a virtual setting. You have rules, points and players. The only difference is you swap out athletes for nerds.

With the right amount of promoting and advertising it could become pretty popular.

 

[Tohsaka]

I know of Starcraft and Warcraft pro-gaming. I've heard that these kinds are quite popular in South Korea, mind you.

 

[Sobeman459]

I think its pretty kool im triing to enter tournaments for gears of war right now but i need to find out more about them.

 

[Mega Flare]

Pro gaming is such a stupid, boring concept. Who likes to watch other people play video games? I don't think it'll take off and if it does I will hate the world just that much more.

I was just thinking the same thing. Watching other people playing Video games is boring. I rather be doing it myself. Also If you think you are good at gaming. Your not. You will enter a tournament and get your ass kicked so badly. So to be a pro gamer you got to have no life.

 

[The Cry of Fallen Angels]

I think proffesional gaming loses the essence (fun) for the "pros", just like most football players (soccer for Americans, it's way bigger over here) rather do it for the money. I think every serious game maker would seriously insulted if pro-gaming would be on such a large scale as football. I mean, even though the entire world is going commercial (wouldn't be surprised if CHARITY would), you make things because you have a passion for them, whether they are games, cars or I dunno, chairs. Same goes playing games or football, creating games, marketing, writing, painting, fixing, etc.

So in short, the world sucks we care about money too much and that's a shame.

 

[nohmaan]

I was there when Professional Gamaing all started. Or maybe Middle School. Welcome to the world, Nick Arcade!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Arcade

*ed.*
Yeesh, looking at the dates the show aired, I guess it was more like Elementary School.

 

[Andy6000]

Allow me to present you with an alternative point of view...

"Professional sports are such a stupid, boring concept. Who likes to watch other people play sports games? I don't think it'll take off and if it does I will hate the world just that much more."

Games are sports, just in a virtual setting. You have rules, points and players. The only difference is you swap out athletes for nerds.

With the right amount of promoting and advertising it could become pretty popular.

I'm going to say that sports are equally boring and stupid, and assume that Minkoff probably agrees. I can't understand why people get paid so incredibly much to play a game. It's not even art.

 

[alexia]

Professional gaming has been around for quite a few years and it seems as though it's been gaining more recognition lately. I don't think that professional gaming will disappear nor do I believe that it will become mainstream like pro sports. If you take a good hard look at our society, its priorities are really screwed up. Entertainment seems to be of really high value to us and therefore, would explain the ridiculous earnings of performers; whether they are actors, singers or even athletes.
Another thing you need to consider is the pro sports' demographics compared to the gaming community's demographics. The pro sports' demographics are significantly larger than that of the gaming community's. If anything, professional gaming may remain a cult favorite.

 

[Granas3 REMIXED]

If you ask me it's EXACTLY the same as pro sports, beacause evry pro gaming event i've heard of is about an FPS. So basically, it's just another tesosterone fueled romp around aaround a grassy field, albeit a pre-rendered one, except the possibilty of death being healed might mean there are less big injuries.

 

[Minkoff]

I'm going to say that sports are equally boring and stupid, and assume that Minkoff probably agrees. I can't understand why people get paid so incredibly much to play a game. It's not even art.

Yup, basically. But the reason why I think they have different potential in terms of popularity is that competitive gaming is a less popular passtime than competitive sports. Most people don't play video games competitively or even know anybody who does. But most people, or at least most boys, have probably been somehow involved in competitive sports at some point in their lives.

 

[syvkal]

I think that it would really depend on the game. Sometime 'Pros' aren't really Pros at the game they just do things that any normal gamer who wants to play for fun wouldn't allow.
E.g. Hiding and shooting from somewhere they can't shoot into. And things like the shotgun problems on Gears of War.

Things like that spoil Pro gaming and make game less fun and make it so you're just trying to find the best way of winning which gives your oponent no chance.


However, gaming contests will always continue and Japan if it dies out anywhere else.

 

[Fafnir]

Cry's pretty much right one when it comes to me.'

Tournaments for fun are cool(especially for fighting games...). Perhaps a little prize or something would be nice. But, there's a point where people consider it a sport, and its not. Its a leisure activity, and should be just that.

 

[Kraft]

Pro gaming is such a stupid, boring concept. Who likes to watch other people play video games? I don't think it'll take off and if it does I will hate the world just that much more.

They watch it for the same reason people watch Basketball or football, only those sports have been around a lot longer, so there is more support.

I have never entered a tournament, I live in a 3000 population town, so there are not too many things (the high school has about 450 students for example)

At school though, we have just for fun tournaments during the class periods (in STRUT computer class, because we can get all the required lessons for the week done in one day, leaving the other 4 for playing quake 4)

The school computers are top-notch, so quake works perfectly.

I am currently the best in the school at that game, as far as I know (I rarely lose)

I also play quake 3, and unreal tournament at home, and I am pretty good.

If there was ever a game competition/tournament here, (for computer games) I would so be in it!

the only tournaments that go on around here is a monthly Halo 2 tournament, and I am not the best with a Xbox controller (compared to the winners anyway, I can beat almost anyone else in a friendly game)

When I go to college (next year) I will be going to many of those (I know there are tournaments where I plan to go) so I am practicing up now!

I would go watch them, because they are entertaining. I would probabley not watch for more than a hour (unless I was waiting for a turn )
But I mean... I hate watching football, or basketeball etc... games, they are just boring to me!

Kraft

 

[Minkoff]

They watch it for the same reason people watch Basketball or football, only those sports have been around a lot longer, so there is more support.

You should probably read the rest of the thread.

 

[Kraft]

oops, yeah... I just read the first one (or two) and replied...