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Microsoft to Sponsor WCG

xIcemanx writes "Microsoft has announced that it will be sponsoring the World Cyber Games through 2008, providing the world's largest e-sports competition with software, hardware, and marketing. let's hope this doesn't mean radical changes in the games we see at the championships."

108 comments

  1. Emergency Games by SEWilco · · Score: 2, Funny

    At least most of the contestants will be able to play Rock/Paper/Scissors if the Microsoft games aren't functional.

    1. Re:Emergency Games by jacen_sunstrider · · Score: 1

      As long as they allow two papers, Tiger hand, and pen missile, I'm sure everyone will be happy. If not, then Microsoft is going on my list.

  2. Heart of Darkness by Frosty+Piss · · Score: 3, Funny
    let's hope this doesn't mean radical changes in the games we see at the championships

    Of course not! Microsoft is in this out of the kindness of their pure heart.

    --
    If you want news from today, you have to come back tomorrow.
    1. Re:Heart of Darkness by suspected · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Microsoft said they want to support PC gaming, so this is good news for companies like Blizzard who make PC games. While Microsoft's true intentions are only to further their own goal, they also just happen to help many others.

  3. Changes? Preposterous! by Ambiguous+Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    "...let's hope this doesn't mean radical changes in the games we see at the championships."

    There will only be one tiny little change. It will now be called the World XBox Games. But honest, it'll still be the WCG you know and love.

    --
    Their may be a grammatical error, misspeling, or evn a typo in this post.
  4. Re:e-sport? No. by suspected · · Score: 3, Funny

    We better inform chess players that their competitions were never considered a sport.

  5. broodwar better still be in this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    it's the most competitive game there is!

  6. Guys... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The swapping party is off... Microsoft in da house...

  7. Re:e-sport? No. by SEWilco · · Score: 1

    We better inform chess players that their competitions were never considered a sport.
    Their cheerleaders will be so disappointed.

  8. Fun! by Khyber · · Score: 1

    Sadly, I still think that what Microsoft may come up with will still not compare to the Gibfest we hold here in Memphis. We get down to business, even to doing real bets for hardware and such. Ours is truly a competition. We make the challenges, set the pot, and go at it. Winner takes all. HHere, you're playing for sponsored prizes. We sometimes play for each other's computers. Someone wake me up when it gets that exciting in Microsoft's world, please.

    --
    Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
    1. Re:Fun! by satoshi1 · · Score: 1

      You are a braver man than I, sir. I cherish my computer. There's no way I would ever bet it on anything.

    2. Re:Fun! by tonsofpcs · · Score: 3, Funny

      I'll play you in broodwar, lets go, 1 on 1, my 80586/133 vs your ultra overloaded PC.

    3. Re:Fun! by Bacon+Bits · · Score: 3, Insightful

      How to know when your e-peen is getting too big:
      You only want to play Starcraft for pink slips.

      True competition is a test of skill in a fair and balanced situation, not a means of throwing money around to back up your testosterone. Unless you're playing poker. Betting, gambling, etc only makes things "interesting" because it's a metagame. You get to play two games instead of just the one. However, it's irrelevant to your skill as a player, and therefore not a judge of player quality. Frankly, if you're the type of person who gets excited just because you're betting, it would probably be wiser not to bet at all.

      --
      The road to tyranny has always been paved with claims of necessity.
    4. Re:Fun! by Khyber · · Score: 1

      The sad thing is, we've seen bets like that happen.

      --
      Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
    5. Re:Fun! by elrous0 · · Score: 2, Funny
      We make the challenges, set the pot, and go at it.

      Yeah, pot plays a role in my gameplaying too.

      -Eric

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    6. Re:Fun! by Khyber · · Score: 1

      Umm, while your post does contain some insight, let me direct you to the DEFINITION of competition:

      http://www.answers.com/topic/competition

      The very first definition invalidates your entire point. To quote (and I double-checked this with my personal dictionary, it states the exact same thing) "1. The act of competing, as for profit or a prize; rivalry."

      --
      Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
    7. Re:Fun! by Bacon+Bits · · Score: 1
      True enough, but the point of a sport isn't to compete for profit or prize. The only goal is victory. Consider that players get banned from playing professional sports if they bet on their games. Even if they bet on themselves.

      Gambling certainly qualifies as a competition, but, as I think I said, it is a metagame. It is an entirely different competition layered on top of the sport.

      Poker is about the only sport where gambling is allowed, and that's only because gambling is the point of the game. You ever tried to play poker without betting? It's pretty dumb.

      I've said this elsewhere, too: The dictionary is a poor document to refer to to determine the meaning of a message.

      --
      The road to tyranny has always been paved with claims of necessity.
    8. Re:Fun! by Khyber · · Score: 1

      The dictionary is not a poor document to refer to, in any way, shape, or form, because that's what got our language started. The fact that people choose to ignore the true agreed-upon definition of a word and use a definition in it's place that's not listed only serves to cause confusion. A quote from George Carlin here should be appropriate, yet the exact quote escapes my mind. Something along the lines of "Why can't we agree on the definition of a word?" or something to that effect.

      --
      Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
  9. Update[!] by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The W in WCG has been flipped. Gamers around the world suddenly stand in silence.

  10. Sony and Playstation missing entirely by Neo-Rio-101 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Just browsing around the website, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that there are no playstation games on the gaming roster here, and Sony is not given a mention anywhere.

    Microsoft, battling for the hearts and minds of professional gamers....

    --
    READY.
    PRINT ""+-0
    1. Re:Sony and Playstation missing entirely by grasshoppa · · Score: 1

      Microsoft, battling for the hearts and minds of professional gamers....

      Oh come off it. If that's what they were doing, they'd simply supply a lifetime of free pizza and beer.

      It'd be far cheaper than buying...er..."sponsering" these games.

      --
      Mod me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!
    2. Re:Sony and Playstation missing entirely by kevmo · · Score: 3, Insightful

      If you read the article (haha) you would have seen this:

      The deal also asserts that Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 will be the exclusive gaming platforms for the PC and console for the events, meaning that other console titles for Sony or Nintendo platforms will not figure in the competitions.

      Of course, you can't really expect them to provide anything else, as they are supplying all the hardware/software. Would you really expect them to buy Playstations?

      If WCG didn't like the conditions, they didn't have to do the deal, that simple.

  11. RTFA.... =) by elf · · Score: 4, Informative
    From the article:

    The deal also asserts that Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 will be the exclusive gaming platforms for the PC and console for the events, meaning that other console titles for Sony or Nintendo platforms will not figure in the competitions.


    -elf
    1. Re:RTFA.... =) by Flame0001 · · Score: 1

      This would be step three of the Acknowledge, Embrace, Terminate plan.

      --
      Slashdot, the only place where intellectuals can act like idiots... and still sound intellectual.
    2. Re:RTFA.... =) by danielk1982 · · Score: 1

      Out of curiosity, how prominent were non-Windows/Xbox games.

    3. Re:RTFA.... =) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Then I would say they have misappropriated the term Cyber. In this context, this is no longer a general competition but a very specific one limited to only the xBox console and Windows operating system running PC's. It really should be called the World Microsoft Games, as it bears no relationship to its former non-denominational self.

      Put differently, if a ski manufacturer sponsored the Olympics, would it be expected that all of the skiers have to use the sponsoring company's equipment? Of course not. Microsoft's actions here really stink.

    4. Re:RTFA.... =) by robnotto · · Score: 1

      Looking back at the history of the games, I do not see any non Xbox games. There is DOA and Halo and Halo2. I might be missing something here but how is Sony getting boxed out? If this is so important to Sony and their games division I am sure their marketing department would sponsor this event.

  12. Good exposure. by dapho · · Score: 3, Funny

    This is great for games like Counter-Strike and Unreal Tournament. They will be getting more exposure from the public and might even go mainstream...

    1. Re:Good exposure. by satoshi1 · · Score: 0, Redundant

      They aren't already mainstream?

    2. Re:Good exposure. by kevmo · · Score: 3, Funny

      They aren't already mainstream?

      Satoshi, meet sarcasm. Sarcasm, meet Satoshi.

    3. Re:Good exposure. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, they aren't mainstream. Ask 3 random middle aged people what CS and UT are. Have they heard of either? Both??
      Hell, my Dad has played me at UT, and I know I've showed him the graphics on UT2003 (they were impressive at the time) but he won't know the name and probably wouldn't recognise it if I showed him a screenshot.

  13. In other news... by wbren · · Score: 5, Funny

    In other news, Redhat was originally supposed to be the new WCG sponsor... until WCG realized they would have to limit competition to KAstroid and Othello.

    --
    -William Brendel
    1. Re:In other news... by Sparr0 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      And UT2004, and Quake 4, and Doom 3, and Saveage, and Enemy Territory, and any of a hundred other awesome commercial competitive games that run natively in linux.

      As to upcoming games, UT2007, Savage 2, and Enemy Territory: Quake Wars are all going to run natively in linux.

      Nice try Mr FUD.

    2. Re:In other news... by blank · · Score: 1

      Dude, only 3 people will get this joke. The rest won't figure out that there are other games besides first person shooters.

      --

      bah. start over

    3. Re:In other news... by Jesapoo · · Score: 3, Insightful

      ...and compared to the *thousands* of games offered on windows or windows-and-console only?

      The simple fact is, Windows is THE platform for PC gaming, and naming a handfull of games that run on linux doesn't change that fact.

    4. Re:In other news... by Trelane · · Score: 1
      Man, you are so very right.

      Unfortunately, it was true enough to be very funny to me, a Linux-only casual gamer (thanks for the heads up on new games I should be buying, btw! ;)

      If we don't buy them, they will go away.

      --

      --
      Given enough personal experience, all stereotypes are shallow.
    5. Re:In other news... by Trelane · · Score: 1
      I think Red Hat or SuSE/Novell should sponsor a gaming tournament. It could be relatively cheap publicity amongst a somewhat tech-savvy group. They could even have a booth or something offering Linux support, and a list of Linux games (and fps ;)

      Seriously, though, if you sponsor a conference or event, you don't have to make them use your software!

      --

      --
      Given enough personal experience, all stereotypes are shallow.
    6. Re:In other news... by Frenchman113 · · Score: 1

      Although they run on linux, they also run on windows, so I don't see your point?

    7. Re:In other news... by supermank17 · · Score: 1

      The gp's point still stands. Gaming just isn't Linux's strength. It's got loads of other strengths, and no one denies that, but it's not really a gaming platform. A handful of games that do work doesn't change that.

    8. Re:In other news... by Trelane · · Score: 1

      I believe the point would be "there are more games on Linux than the aforementioned two."

      --

      --
      Given enough personal experience, all stereotypes are shallow.
    9. Re:In other news... by Trelane · · Score: 1
      Gaming just isn't Linux's strength. It's got loads of other strengths, and no one denies that, but it's not really a gaming platform.
      If you define a "gaming platform" as "has a lot of commercial games," then you're absolutely right. I would, however, point out that Linux is not significantly worse for game development than any other platform, IMHO.
      A handful of games that do work doesn't change that.
      No, but it does make it easier for those of us who want to just run Linux. :)
      --

      --
      Given enough personal experience, all stereotypes are shallow.
    10. Re:In other news... by Sparr0 · · Score: 1

      There is also the not-insignificant point that the games that run on both platforms run faster in Linux. I played UT2004 in both when I was dual booting (no more!) and regularly got 10-15% higher FPS with the same settings in Linux. Savage had the same boost. I haven't directly compared the others, but my subjective feeling is that they were all faster as well.

      Why spend $100 on a slower OS just so youll need to spend an extra $100 on hardware to make your games run faster? Give me Linux + GeForce 6600 over Windows + GeForce 6800 any day.

    11. Re:In other news... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hmm
      I think this is a case of your milage may vary
      I experianced a significant drop in performance

      Man trying to get rid of that lilo boot loader, sticks like shit to a blanket

    12. Re:In other news... by supermank17 · · Score: 1

      I'm not arguing the point that games will run fine under linux. I'm just pointing out that having a handfull of games that work doesn't mean that linux is a viable gamer solution. You pointed out several popular FPS's that run under Linux, but even that is just a small segment of the overall FPS market. And there are hardly any mainstream RPGs, MMORPGs, or RTSs available, unless you spend time tinkering with WINE. What you've shown is that linux works for you as a gaming platform, but it doesn't for most people, and I think that's what the original gp was alluding to.
      Another small point, is that most people don't have the knowledge to get a linux machine running properly to play their games with modern hardware. Even using Debian based distros like Ubuntu, it can be a pain to install the binary drivers for your video card, or nforce chipset. And the built in drivers just don't cut it for high performance. So basically, I'm not arguing that linux works for some people, and that it could be a decent gaming platform. I'm saying that just because it works for you, doesn't mean it will for everyone else.

    13. Re:In other news... by supermank17 · · Score: 1

      I would agree that Linux isn't worse for gaming than any other platform except for the lack of software. I was mostly referring to the parent's listing of a few titles and implying that linux therefor is a gaming platform. The limited selection available just doesn't compete with a console or windows machine, and just because there are some titles doesn't mean its a viable solution for a gamer.

    14. Re:In other news... by Sparr0 · · Score: 1

      I have ordered these by popularity, as near as I can estimate. Some of the lower ones on the lists might not be as mainstream as you would like, but the top ones definitely are.

      mainstream linux-native...

      RPGs:
      Neverwinter Nights
      BG/IWD/BG2 some day when GemRB is finished

      MMORPGs:
      Second Life
      Puzzle Pirates
      Runescape
      A Tale in the Desert
      Daimonin
      Vega Strike
      Vendetta Online

      RTSes:
      Homeworld
      Total Annihilation: Spring
      Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns
      Majesty Gold
      Myth 2

      and more FPSes:
      Quake 3
      America's Army
      Return to Castle Wolfenstein
      Medal of Honor: AA
      Descent 3
      Descent Freespace 2
      Postal 2
      Serious Sam 2
      Sin

      I admit, this is but a fraction of the games that run in Windows, but I think this list, plus the cutting edge games that are coming to Linux soon, proves that there is nothing holding back Linux gaming except game developers simply ignoring it during development.

      The sad thing is that supporting Linux wouldn't cost them much, if anything at all. Most games are successfully ported to Linux (often using SDL+OpenGL) within weeks, if not days, of having their source code liberated. Usually by a handful of enthusiastic hobbyists in their spare time. Any game company willing to dedicate those same few dozen man hours could increase their player base by at least a few hundred (I don't delude myself into thinking there are many hard core native linux gamers), which seems well worth it to me.

  14. World Community Grid??? by Switchback · · Score: 3, Insightful

    For a minute there, I thought Microsoft was going to sponsor the World Community Grid. Could you imagine if every new Windows PC shiped with a World Community Grid client? Imagine the power of the grid then...

    1. Re:World Community Grid??? by FleaCure · · Score: 1

      Actually IBM have already beaten Microsoft to that PR stunt.

    2. Re:World Community Grid??? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, it's called a zombie network...

    3. Re:World Community Grid??? by elrous0 · · Score: 1
      Could you imagine if every new Windows PC shiped with a World Community Grid client?

      Alright, we can finally built a sentient computer network that we can put in charge of all our nuclear missle silos! Can you imagine the savings in labor costs alone?

      -Eric

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    4. Re:World Community Grid??? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They already do. Just connect your Windows XP system to the Internet and wait. They will come.

  15. Bad guy by scolby · · Score: 2, Insightful

    So wait one second...who's the bad guy here...the multi-gazillion dollar corporation that paid a lot of money to put their name on a competition as a means of advertising their products, or the competition that initially put the naming rights up for sale in the first place?

    1. Re:Bad guy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Neither are bad. It's a win-win for all parties involved, especially for gamers. Even if you prefer non-Xbox games, it's still an incredible boost for PC & console gaming all-around. Maybe the USA will catch-up to the Asian markets in terms of attitude and competition. Sony and Nintendo have the budget to promote just as well, beyond the small tournaments they do have. If they want to get involved seriously in gaming as a legitimate mainstream sport of skill, let them.

      I'm not sure if you were being sarcastic. If you weren't then, seriously, if you think advertising in a positive way that mutually promotes is such an "evil" thing, stop buying products and services. Live off the land in a shack. Otherwise, try to open your mind a little and not see the world as a construct of prejudices, false dilemmas, and inconsideration of the interests of others.

  16. The games: by DanTheLewis · · Score: 4, Funny

    Steve Ballmer Forever: This wisecracking, balding hero takes trusty chair in hand in order to fight off the Googly-eyed hordes.

    Whack-a-Who-da-punk: Hit a person with no face before they destroy Microsoft from within by engaging in serious discussions about the relative inadequacy of the bloated management structure.

    Windows Vista: TBA.

    --

    Q: What did the comedian say to the crowd?
    A: If I knew, this joke would be funny.
    1. Re:The games: by DurendalMac · · Score: 2, Insightful

      What about... AppleJacked - Grab the new features as soon as they're announced by the competition and shoehorn your own half-assed version into the aging, bloated code of your flagship product before your opponents! SimFUD - Climb your way up the management ladder by making a better bullshit campaign about the evils of open source than your opponents! Browserbash - A looming, rival product has stolen precious marketshare, and you need to go into the darkest, deepest depths of the basement to get your web browser development team out of cryogenic storage in time to stop them!

  17. Let's think... by Kuukai · · Score: 5, Informative

    let's hope this doesn't mean radical changes in the games we see at the championships.

    From TFA:
    The deal also asserts that Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 will be the exclusive gaming platforms for the PC and console for the events, meaning that other console titles for Sony or Nintendo platforms will not figure in the competitions.

    Games offered last time:
    -Counter-Strike: Source
    -FIFA Football 2005
    -Need for Speed: Underground 2
    -StarCraft: Brood War
    -Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne
    -Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War
    -Dead or Alive Ultimate
    -Halo 2


    I'd wager a "No."

    --
    Sendou Wave Kick!!
  18. It's not a sport for champions... by DigiShaman · · Score: 2, Insightful

    ...unless the spectators are in on the fun.

    Video/PC games, like Chess isn't very fun when watching players sit in one place. Unless the sport is athletic, don't expect much of a public following.

    Poker is an exception to the rule however as it imbues drama with other players in a round-table event.

    --
    Life is not for the lazy.
    1. Re:It's not a sport for champions... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Obviously you've never been to a major LAN/tourney event.

    2. Re:It's not a sport for champions... by suspected · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Video/PC games, like Chess isn't very fun when watching players sit in one place. Unless the sport is athletic, don't expect much of a public following. Poker is an exception to the rule however as it imbues drama with other players in a round-table event.
      But people don't tend to watch the player in video game competitions. The action all happens on the screen, similar to how when you watch TV, you don't watch the producer sitting behind a control panel. Competitive video games are an animal of it's own; it's really hard to compare it to anything else.
    3. Re:It's not a sport for champions... by Entropius · · Score: 1

      You've also never watched good players play speed-chess... or, even better, bughouse-chess.

    4. Re:It's not a sport for champions... by TubeSteak · · Score: 1

      You've obviously never watched the National Scrabble Championships on ESPN.

      It draws pretty much everyone in.
      Well, most people with 3 or more neurons to rub together.

      It can be as technical as you want, or purely leightweight tv viewing. Chess involves a lot of skull sweat.

      --
      [Fuck Beta]
      o0t!
    5. Re:It's not a sport for champions... by Dysproxia · · Score: 1
      isn't very fun when watching players sit in one place.

      So don't watch the players, watch the screens. All these things need is untalented directors, just like real sports.

  19. Scale Proportion = 999% by Doytch · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Who actually followed the WCG before this and is commenting? Because if you did, you know that the only thing people cared about was PC, and NOTHING ELSE. No one who attends these gives a damn about a PS2 or GC or Xbox competition, and thats the cold hard truth. Starcraft SELLS. FPS deathmatches SELL. This is not going to be any different and someone who thinks so is just staying hip with the times and ragging on MS. (I realise I've just murdered my karma)

    1. Re:Scale Proportion = 999% by suspected · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Starcraft SELLS. FPS deathmatches SELL. This is not going to be any different and someone who thinks so is just staying hip with the times and ragging on MS.
      While I agree with you, they didn't always "SELL!" I think there is a very real potential for console games to become competitive with the introduction of standard online-play. Hopefully Nintendo will host their own competitions.
      (I realise I've just murdered my karma)
      Even though I disagree with you, your comment was legit and your point had substance. I'm sure your karma will be fine.
    2. Re:Scale Proportion = 999% by Ravatar · · Score: 1

      Console games are a good proxy towards getting more players in the PC competitive gaming arena, like it or not.

    3. Re:Scale Proportion = 999% by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      1) He said he wants console games to enter the competitive arena, so what's up with the "like it or not." 2) PC games are the primary venue for competitive gaming, so if anything, PC games will open up the doors to console games, not the other way around... like it or not. 3) You can't use the word "proxy" like that.

    4. Re:Scale Proportion = 999% by Ravatar · · Score: 1

      1) I meant to reply to the parent.
      2) I am speaking from the perspective of increasing the awareness of competitive gaming.
      3) Sure I can. Better luck next time?

    5. Re:Scale Proportion = 999% by AnotherUsername · · Score: 1

      When it comes to any kind of gaming other than sports or fighting, PC gaming > console gaming. It's just a fact of life. Saying that console FPS are equal, or can ever be equal, to PC FPS is insane. The keyboard and mouse duo make it so. And strategy games? Yea, I remember playing Simcity on my Nintendo. It just wasn't the same as playing it on my computer, and actually being able to build a decent size city without going crazy because of the amount vertical/horizontal only scrolling that was required because of the controller.

      Yes, there are some games that are better on consoles. I will admit this. But, by and large, PC rules the gaming world.

      --
      I don't like Linux. This doesn't make me a troll.
  20. "E-sport" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Buhahahahahahahahah!!!! All that hand muscle!!! ;-)

    1. Re:"E-sport" by mmalove · · Score: 1

      And wrist muscle too! Which is really most of table tennis too, but that gets world wide recognition...

      And don't diss the hand muscle! That's the same one that opens the mayonaise/jelly/soda bottle when your wife can't - granting instant "my hero" points.

      --
      You can get 15 minutes of fame, but you can go down in history for infamy.
  21. Actually.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    the only possible RADICAL move would be to preview Duke Nukem Forever. And Ever Amen.

  22. I'm playing Wesnoth by vlad_petric · · Score: 2, Interesting

    ... you insensitive clod! :)

    --

    The Raven

  23. Oh man... by Loktar+Ogar · · Score: 0

    I just can't decide who to root for in the MShearts tournament...

  24. Does this mean that quake 4.... by scenestar · · Score: 1

    Will be replaced by solitaire?

    --
    perpetually dwelling in the -1 pits
    1. Re:Does this mean that quake 4.... by bepe86 · · Score: 1

      Of course not, we all know that minesweeper deserves that spot instead...

  25. ...in America by krotkruton · · Score: 3, Informative

    In other countries, South Korea for instance, gaming is treated more like a sport.
    From the article:

    Two cable TV networks, known as Ongamenet and MBCgame, compete for viewers with their own 24-hour programming dedicated to PC and console gaming. Fierce gaming competitions are held, backed by major corporate sponsors, and studios overflow with live audiences trying to catch a glimpse at players who are practically given celebrity status.
    ...
    Their number one program is called Ongamenet Starleague, which is a three-month long Starcraft tournament broadcast live every Friday beginning at 7:00 p.m.
    ...
    According to The Korea Times, Ongamenet and competitor MBCGame have been ranked among the top 20 shows in monthly viewership among South Korea's 99 cable TV channels.


    Yeah, it's definitely not a sport for champions in South Korea. (And that was just the first article I found)

    1. Re:...in America by Rydia · · Score: 1

      Yeah, you totally showed him by talking about an entirely different culture and not responding to his point at all!

    2. Re:...in America by JFMulder · · Score: 1

      Hum... makes we wonder. Does't Blizzard get money from all these broadcasts of Starcraft on TV? I don't have a EULA for Startcraft, but movies on DVDs normally have a clause saying that you are not allowed to play them in public place unless you are licensed to.

  26. Re:e-sport? No. by ceeam · · Score: 1

    Sweat? Try to take a 100%/100% distance in GPL (Grand Prix Legends) or even any other sufficiently realistic racing sim. My... everything! - ankles, arms, neck - hurts like hell after that. Not to mention psychical load.

  27. fool by Tom · · Score: 2, Informative

    let's hope this doesn't mean radical changes in the games we see at the championships."

    No, just in the gaming platform. RTFA - it's now Xbox-only. WCG just got assimilated.

    --
    Assorted stuff I do sometimes: Lemuria.org
  28. Re:e-sport? No. by Lakebeach · · Score: 0

    Agree. Simracing/Virtual racing is true e-sport. Latest games like GTR and GT Legends have raised the bar even higher. Swedish Autosport Federation have started to work on bringing virtual racing as a sport under their umbrella together with (real) rally, racing etc. That is pretty cool IMO. (Somehow I fail to see FIFA take on video game version of football/soccer into their organisation).

  29. Re:Get your facts, then post by Ash-Fox · · Score: 1

    Please use paragraphs in future, it's very hard to read your post.

    --
    Change is certain; progress is not obligatory.
  30. Olympic Decathlon by ptimmons · · Score: 1

    They should resuscitate some Apple ][s and make all the competitors play Microsoft's Olympic Decathlon. Man that game was tough on the fingers... and probably broke more keyboards in its day than any modern-era game.

  31. Actually, no changes. by murrdpirate · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Far as I can tell from the website, the only console games they've had in the past have been from Microsoft: Halo and PGR. If you're into the world cyber games, this will probably just improve their popularity. This is a good thing, ya'll are just blind Microsoft haters as usual.

    1. Re:Actually, no changes. by murrdpirate · · Score: 1

      What's so bad about Microsoft anyway? Almost all the money you spend on their products goes to a good thing: either into making the products or cool things like SpaceShipOne and donations.

    2. Re:Actually, no changes. by Photon+Ghoul · · Score: 2, Insightful

      This is a good thing, ya'll are just blind Microsoft haters as usual.

      Yeah! It's not like Microsoft has a history of astroturfing, assimilating and destroying!

    3. Re:Actually, no changes. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How is this a good thing? They aren't a generally gaming competition anymore, as they are available for sale and Microsoft has bought their contract. Since MS can always afford more, they are in effect owned by Microsoft. So, they are not the World Cyber Games as they had been. They are more or less the World Microsoft Games with instead a misleading name from their former days. Tell me again how this is a good thing, that Microsoft can buy up any podium from which general gaming might get a boost and turn it into a Microsoft-only venture? Tell mw how this is a good thing?

    4. Re:Actually, no changes. by murrdpirate · · Score: 1

      How is this a good thing? Microsoft is a successful company with a lot of cash. They have the power to make competitive gaming popular and will cover a ton of the cost. Where's the bad news? There won't be less games, there'll just be more Xbox games.

  32. In other news...Bragging on the increase. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    "And UT2004, and Quake 4, and Doom 3, and Saveage, and Enemy Territory, and any of a hundred other awesome commercial competitive games that run natively in linux."

    Ok braggard. List those one hundred games.* Oh and just in case no one noticed, the majority of those are FPSers.

    *I seriously doubt you can even get to fifty.

    1. Re:In other news...Bragging on the increase. by richardablitt · · Score: 1

      http://linux.strangegamer.com/index.php?title=Cate gory:Commercial_Games lists about 100 commercial games that run in Linux.

  33. Well... by darkhitman · · Score: 1

    Honestly, if Microsoft released a plan to end world hunger, it'd still get bashed on Slashdot.

    --
    Tell me something...it's still "We, the people"... right?
    1. Re:Well... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Damn them! Trying to force third world dependancy on their handouts! Soon we'll see them all rounded up and used for slave labor building more Xbox 360s!

      Now we really see why Billy was badmouthing the OLPC!

      And a couple more exclamation points for effect!!!

  34. MS also sponsors Firefox flicks streaming by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Microsoft also sponsors Firefox flicks streaming on news.com :-) see http://www.myowndb.com/blog/ for a screenshot.

  35. Consoles? by Frozen+Void · · Score: 1

    PCs are superior to any Online Gaming Console ever can present.
    I can play anything right now:PC games,Emulated console game(most of them),Online games.
    Without being put into limits of console manufacturers and corporate overlords.
    Console is essentialy a cheap limited computer made to run games.

  36. It's about time! by seven+of+five · · Score: 2, Funny

    I am so happy to see Microsoft finally doing some marketing. It's been so frustrating, watching their products go unnoticed for so long....

    1. Re:It's about time! by elrous0 · · Score: 1
      Yeah, with a little publicity, maybe they could finally get some decent OS market share.

      -Eric

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  37. Finally by solomonrex · · Score: 1

    Minesweeper will get the recognition it deserves!!!

  38. WCG windows version2.0.0.6 by folababa · · Score: 1

    Sometimes i just have to admit, i love this company called microsoft!

  39. Testing by midifarm · · Score: 1

    Will the World Anti Doping League be there to test the winners for non legal addictive stimulants? Let's keep it clean this year fellas and ladies!

  40. Well.... by jc87 · · Score: 1

    Im going to make my own WCG , with blackjack , and hookers.

    In fact , forget the WCG!

    --
    def greetings(x): return {'friend': 'Howdy', 'enemy': 'Dye [sic]'}.get(x, 'g0 4w4y, l4m0r')
  41. No ones care what Slashdotters thinks about WCG+MS by hwangeruk · · Score: 0

    As the Koreans kick everyones asses every time. This year will be no different. For the last 2 years its been: 1) Korea 2) Germany 3) USA 4) Holland I doubt any Slashdotters attended or played, too busy on /. typing we hate MS missives :/ So their hate of MS isn't going to bother anyone.