QUAKECON Professional gamers strike it rich at computer game tournament

The tournament gave out $150,000 in prize money.
By VICTOR GODINEZ
DALLAS MORNING NEWS
The QuakeCon computer game tournament and expo in Grapevine, Texas, recently showed that even if professional gaming never hits the mainstream, it has enough fans to make a few lucky gamers wealthy.
It's hard to believe that any tournament that isn't broadcast live on television can hand out $150,000 in prize money, but that's what happened.
Given the amount of cash that sponsors ponied up to get their names before 5,000-plus gamers, everybody involved in QuakeCon and similar tournaments has to be wondering how to package these events for a national audience.
I don't know if that's possible because I don't know any nongamers who enjoy watching other people play games.
Watch or play
Gaming is an interactive experience. It will be tough to get spectators -- especially those who can't be there in person to see competitors sweat out a win -- to watch something they could just as easily be doing themselves.
Would you rather watch someone play "Doom 3" or play "Doom 3" yourself?
Still, there may be ways to make professional gaming ready for prime time.
I liked the comment on Slashdot that recommended that instead of a live telecast, broadcasters tape the matches, experiment with camera angles for dramatic shots and pause the matches to explain what's going on, why a particular kill was so difficult and what the competitors' strategies are.
Beyond the big money and glitzy equipment, there were hints that professional gaming is trying to clean up its act -- literally.
At the entrance to the bring-your-own-computer section of QuakeCon, a sign listed what attendees should and should not do.
Under the "do not do" heading were bringing in food, drugs or weapons.
Under the "do" heading: bathe, use deodorant and have fun.
As Martha Stewart might say, those are good things.