What was once viewed as a college kid's excuse to not write a term paper has
quickly grown to the status of possible full fledge sport. That's right. Video
gaming has been gaining speed for quite some time now, but the opportunity to
have prime-time exposure on the USA network could easily be the deciding factor
if the popular pastime will become perceived as a full-fledged professional
sport. the MLG (Major League Gaming), knows that that much television coverage
would be the turning point for their sport. "This is the sign that pro gaming
has finally arrived to the mass market. It's like poker was two years ago, or
Nascar 15 years ago."
the television series will focus primarily on actual game play while also
giving in-depth player profiles and experienced commentary. the main games that
will be played consist of "Halo 2", which is played with the XBox, and
Nintendo's "Super Smash Bros, Melee". the league is not worried about making
the jump into the mainstream, given the fact that, "video gaming has always
enjoyed some sort of spectator element." And already successful professional
gamers make an average of hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in the current
competitive gaming circuit.
Another interesting element of this growing sport in particular, is that the
players are in extreme contrast between one another, and create a very diverse
professional presence. For example, one of the most talented players in the
field is Bonnie Burton, who is only a fifteen-year-old girl from Pennsylvania -
a Halo2 prodigy. In contrast, and eighteen-year-old from Florida is not only
making waves in the professional gaming circuit, but is also proving to be a
successful business person with his growing gaming lessons for high profile
people who pay good money to improve their lacking video gaming skill.
