Columnists

Geek Speak… Gaming as a Spectator Sport

Issue 29.17

My grandson has been staying with us for a few weeks and seems really intent on playing some online computer games. I asked him about the time he was taking with it and he indicated he is trying to make it a career and is getting close to succeeding. I remember playing computer games as a kid pretty intensely. Things like Asteroids and Mule and Lemmings and other action and thinking games. I never in my wildest dreams could see a way that such activity would pay me anything, let alone become a career.
The key thing in getting paid for doing something is doing it so well that people want to watch you do it. Whether that is playing basketball, golf or football, acting, singing or playing an instrument, or riding motocross or racing cars, all those things can pay well if you are at the top of the game.
With video games, you can actually win cash if you enter tournaments and win or do extremely well. However, most of the money is similar to performing in things such as golf or race car driving as, often the money that people receive for promoting certain products is as much or more than they would win by finishing in tenth place in those events.
With video games, there are whole online networks dedicated to “casting” or broadcasting online tournament matches between good teams. They have teams of commentators similar to football broadcasts that examine the players and strategies. The players form teams and compete with other teams in warfare scenarios. The good teams learn to work together to accomplish the goals and “defeat” the other team. Those that are the best at that attract sponsors both for their team and for the broadcasters which turns into cash and gear (computer hardware) that is given to the participants if they continue to do well.
The money is not as good as professional golfers and baseball players, but more and more people are tuning in to watch semi-professional and professional contests and having watched one recently, I can see the interest. Once you understand the rules, it is pretty compelling and fun to watch.
Who knew? I could have played Centipede and bought groceries if I could convince people to watch me do it. Now Halo and Overwatch are the buzz-words and you really have to be good at them if you want anyone to care. I guess that is pretty much like most sports. The action is pretty fast and intense and learning the strategies so you can see what they are trying to do takes a little effort and a little time. That is not unusual however. My wife still asks me why people are doing what they do on the football field even as I jump and cheer for my favorite teams. I do see the advertising they put on the screen so they can pay the bills. I guess it is pretty much the same kind of thing.
I am way too old to try to get good enough at gaming to get paid, but I can live vicariously through the antics of my grandson. You can too – just make sure you remember to protect your data, documents, pictures and your computer, phone and tablet by always backing up anything important.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 34 years, 27 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently works as a computer consultant. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or mccausland.shaun54@gmail.com .

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