Professional gaming is to gain some widespread mainstream media coverage later this year, with an announcement from Major League Gaming (MLG) earlier today that it has struck a major deal with USA Network to air seven one hour-long programs featuring highlights from this year's MLG Pro Tour.
“If you are bored of watching poker, golf, darts or fishing, then watching people actually playing videogames could well just be the next best thing,” commented one SPOnG wag upon hearing the news earlier.
Formed in 2002, the MLG Pro Tour 2006 features events in seven major American cities for professional gamers: New York this coming weekend, followed by events in Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and a series of semi-finals coming to Chicago in October, culminating in a national championship meet scheduled for Las Vegas in November.
The format will focus on player interviews and profiles, intercut with commentary from various announcers – a familiar-sounding similar from any bog standard TV sports coverage.
"This is the sign that pro gaming has finally arrived to the mass market," said Matthew Bromberg, MLG's president and chief operating officer. "It's like poker was two years ago, or NASCAR 15 years ago."
MLG co-founder Mike Sepso hopes they are in at the start of what will be "The next major league sport in America."
SPOnG, it has to be said, is yet to be entirely convinced that professional videogaming tournaments - starring the likes of Jonathan 'Fatal1ty' Wendell (pictured here) - will make for gripping telly. But then again, that's what they said about darts back in the 1970s.
USA Network will broadcast seven 60 minute episodes during the US holiday season, in which gamers will be able to win about $800,000 in cash and prizes. Check out the MLG website for more info on how to become filthy rich through playing videogames.
“If you are bored of watching poker, golf, darts or fishing, then watching people actually playing videogames could well just be the next best thing,” commented one SPOnG wag upon hearing the news earlier.
Formed in 2002, the MLG Pro Tour 2006 features events in seven major American cities for professional gamers: New York this coming weekend, followed by events in Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and a series of semi-finals coming to Chicago in October, culminating in a national championship meet scheduled for Las Vegas in November.
The format will focus on player interviews and profiles, intercut with commentary from various announcers – a familiar-sounding similar from any bog standard TV sports coverage.
"This is the sign that pro gaming has finally arrived to the mass market," said Matthew Bromberg, MLG's president and chief operating officer. "It's like poker was two years ago, or NASCAR 15 years ago."
MLG co-founder Mike Sepso hopes they are in at the start of what will be "The next major league sport in America."
SPOnG, it has to be said, is yet to be entirely convinced that professional videogaming tournaments - starring the likes of Jonathan 'Fatal1ty' Wendell (pictured here) - will make for gripping telly. But then again, that's what they said about darts back in the 1970s.
USA Network will broadcast seven 60 minute episodes during the US holiday season, in which gamers will be able to win about $800,000 in cash and prizes. Check out the MLG website for more info on how to become filthy rich through playing videogames.
Comments
TigerUppercut 18 Apr 2006 18:02
1/5
Fatal1ty looks like some sort of c**t.
That is all.
That is all.
Joji 18 Apr 2006 19:57
2/5
Jeez, the days of The Wizard style Video Armageddon are actually becoming a reality. While I quietly rejoice with a smile at the news, I have a bad feeling those yanks are gonna scuff it up.
Why you ask? Because the format of this kind of thing on american tv is usually overhyped to the max and unfortunately might start straying into reality tv cheese.
Just look what happened when Robot Wars went over there, no patch on the original.
I think to do this properly they should break it from the u.s and include other nations the same way they do with Iron Chef. The name is also awful too, Major League....gimme a break. Gaming ain't just for the americans and Pro Gaming will do fine. Too much overzealous WWE type commentary could easily ruin it too.
I'll try to withhold my negativity and give them a chance to prove me wrong. Just wish that BBC would do their own that everyone can watch, young and old.
Why you ask? Because the format of this kind of thing on american tv is usually overhyped to the max and unfortunately might start straying into reality tv cheese.
Just look what happened when Robot Wars went over there, no patch on the original.
I think to do this properly they should break it from the u.s and include other nations the same way they do with Iron Chef. The name is also awful too, Major League....gimme a break. Gaming ain't just for the americans and Pro Gaming will do fine. Too much overzealous WWE type commentary could easily ruin it too.
I'll try to withhold my negativity and give them a chance to prove me wrong. Just wish that BBC would do their own that everyone can watch, young and old.
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kid_77 18 Apr 2006 21:43
3/5
TigerUppercut wrote:
Fatal1ty looks like some sort of c**t.
That is all.
That is all.
He looks like the love child of Michael Schumacher and Clare Balding.
Thief 19 Apr 2006 04:06
4/5
Do we know if it's just going to be the overly popular Halo, or other games that MLG features? I'd totally be down for watching me some Smash on TV.
TigerUppercut 19 Apr 2006 06:37
5/5
kid_77 wrote:
TigerUppercut wrote:
Fatal1ty looks like some sort of c**t.
That is all.
That is all.
He looks like the love child of Michael Schumacher and Clare Balding.
F**KING HELL!