Gaming for cash

[Nebu]

I was just wondering if anyone had run across this yet?

SkillGround is the world’s most rewarding online game arena where you can download real video games for free and play in a secure, fair environment for cash prizes or just for fun. People of all skill levels are welcome, and our proprietary skill ranking system ensures you will always find your match. All you need is a PC and a broadband connection to play. You can play for free for as long as you want on SkillGround or upgrade to a cash account and play for real cash prizes. SkillGround is committed to offering great gameplay experiences to our players and will be adding new games, levels and gameplay modes regularly.  No matter what type of games you like, or what your level of ability, SkillGround has a game, and a match, for you!

It's an interesting concept, but I have some concerns with the direction this whole thing may be heading.  If this has been discussed and I missed it, my apologies.

[Strazos]

Also, look at the games they are using. lol


At Gamestops, they usually have a video running about the Pro Gaming League (or whatever): Featuring the World's BEST Halo2 Players!. It's a load of crap about a bunch of kids who don't even look that good at the game, who obviously have far too much time on their hands, and who also happen to live close enough to the studio.

"Pro" gaming is a load of crap.

[Sky]

There's a Cyberathletes (heh) Pro League, my bf1942 clan was in the amateur division (CAL). It was a pretty well-run league from what I remember, but I don't know what was involved in the pro league.

[sinij]

"Pro" gaming is a load of crap.

I agree. Gaming is a calling or addiction, there is no "Pro" to it, you are ether gamer or not.

[geldonyetich]

If you pay me good money to play games, I'll find some way to accept being called a professional gamer.   :-D

[StGabe]

Looks like Worldwinner for the hardcore gamers out there although it isn't letting me look at the individual games.  Worldwinner used to have some more involved games like a helicopter shooter game but I think they pulled that down.

The game company I was working at until very recently (just got a new job at a different mobile gaming company) dabbled in stuff like this, offering prizes for playing "skill" games.  I don't think this stuff is so much about "pro" gaming as it is just a way to try to get people to pay "per game" to play where you offer cash prizes for winning (rigged so that the operator gets a cut of each game).  It's also a way to try and target the sorts of play that makes gambling addictive while avoiding gambling laws although those are still an issue.  We had to put disclaimers in and prevent players from certain states from receiving prizes. Worldwinner does the same.  I think we were legally ok in something like 45 out of 50 states.