| The world of gaming online is ever changing. From | | | | per year. Cyber athlete, Professional League, Game |
| being a hobby it has become a competition where | | | | caster, Global gaming League, are some of the |
| money plays a role.Multiplayer games and | | | | organizations that host competitions. The first |
| tournaments are now offering cash prizes, adding to | | | | professional gaming league was set up in 1997 and |
| the thrill of competing. To participate, a valid credit | | | | today the competitions are not just televised but |
| card or paypal account is required. And, a player must | | | | covered by major publications and newspapers. MTV, |
| live in a state or country that has no laws against | | | | CNN,ESPN, USA Network, ABC World News Today, |
| online gaming for money. Sites which promote such | | | | FOX, WB and others telecast the events live.Gamers |
| activities are: and leagues are becoming professional | | | | from all walks of life train intensely to become virtual |
| and organize competitions where cash prizes are | | | | world champions, winning brings fame, money, as well |
| worth over US$ 100,000 in cash. These events are | | | | as recognition. And, since 2001 The World Cyber |
| seen as business and marketing development | | | | Games are held in a different country each year. The |
| opportunities. Hardware manufacturing giants like Intel | | | | prize in 2004 was worth US$ 400, 000 and |
| sponsor gaming clans and see gaming world-wide as | | | | competitors played: FIFA Soccer 2004, Need for |
| a profitable avenue for promoting their products. | | | | Speed, Underground, Star-Craft, Brood War, and |
| High-stake gaming competitions are popular, but the | | | | Unreal Tournament 2004, Dawn of war, Dead or |
| real fights occur behind the scenes, where companies | | | | Alive Ultimate, and Halo 2.Gaming is serious; it is about |
| spend millions trying to get their technology directly | | | | quick thinking, intense practice, team work, |
| into the hands of gamersProfessional gaming has | | | | interaction with other players, and understanding |
| taken the world by storm and, LAN competitions are | | | | technology at its best. Gamers have to be on their |
| high-stake tournaments with a few gamers earning a | | | | toes, keep abreast with new launches, changes, |
| living just competing. A professional gamer with a | | | | patches, cheats, and more. |
| sponsorship plan in place can earn up to US$ 500,000 | | | | |