Videogaming. The second I say that, different people think different things.
Sadly, most people think of geeks with too much time on their hands, playing videogames in a dark room with no outside contact. Brain rotting.
However, these days videogames are no longer as simple as pong and pac man. Today we have games such as GG:XX, SSBM, VF4 and MvC2.
The above are all examples of fighting games. These games are often looked very deeply into, and these days more and more tournaments are springing up around the world.
I personally have taken part in the SSBM tournament scene, and feel that there's so much here that is ignored in videogaming, so let me cut to the point:
Videogames require as much skill, talent, and ability as any sport and those who are skilled at videogames should be rewarded for their talents.
Ok, now that nobodies taking me seriously anymore, I'll jusitify this view.
People, such as myself, have invested 1000's of hours into bringing their game to tournament level: Do not think I'm saying 'Lets pay kids for playing a game for fun lololol!1!'
Not just anybody can do what I have done, and I'm still at a relatively low level caompared to the best players in American and even Europe, but considering the amount of time that must be invested, videogames requires as much commitment to be GREAT at as any sport with training etc.
Next point that everyones gonna jump on: Get a life.
But the thing is playing videogames is extremely social. In the time I have joined the tournament scene, I have met and became friends with people in America, the netherlands and other people as close to home as edinburgh! (I'm scottish)
With all the new friends I have made, surely videogames is more than just a run away? At these tournaments, you can really feel a social bond between everyone and meeting people through videogames is as healthy as meeting people through a passion for basketball.
'It'll never happen'
Oh, but it's already starting. For a long time now tournaments have been held all over the world in fighting games. In america there is a V-games tournament for SSBM, a tournament in every state (I believe) and all teh victors playing off. The grand prize is astonishing. 10,000 dollars.
You can imagine the kind of skill that must be involved, if as much as 10K can be put on the line: No random can win this.
MLG: Major League Gaming is also aiming to establish tournament scenes for the respected fighting games. Perhaps this move by larger companies over random members of the community holding tournaments is truely showing something:
Videogames is extremely under estimated in society, and as worthwhile as any sport. Sports can be played casually, but you won't get any money for it. The same applies to videogames.
So yeah, t3h Fergus has said it: What do you all think about videogames at this kind of level?
I know I'd be better posting this in a forum entirely dedicated but A) I like this place and I'm bored
B) Hey, I've been wanting to type this all for a while.
C) May as well make the first post of this section of the forum good, eh?
|