Competitive Gaming at PAX East 2010

1. Going Beyond Your Internet Connection

Competing in video games online can be lots of fun, but it's nothing compared to playing head to head at a live tournament. We found out what it feels like.

If you’re reading this, chances are you have one or several video game consoles under the TV or a gaming-worthy PC sitting on your desk. On top of that, you probably have a broadband Internet connection and use that console or PC to play games online. It could be Xbox Live, the PlayStation Network, or maybe even the built-in multiplayer client or a PC service like Steam. You hop online after work or on the weekends to frag some poor soul halfway across the country or world or embarrass someone in FIFA 10. Regardless of your hardware and game of choice, competition is everywhere in the gaming world, from the casual weekend Madden fan to the elite Counter-Strike players abroad.

For some, this type of competition is enough since it is satisfying to play games casually with friends and coworkers when you have the time, keeping the otherwise competitive gameplay light and friendly. But for others with much skill and determination and a lot of time on their hands, gaming is serious business. Preparing for tournament gaming competition involves practicing four or five days a week for hours on end and traveling to competitions, near and far, in order to prove you’re the best at what you play. Most people are in it for the fun, but there's always the chance to win some money and prizes while you’re there.

One of the bigger events at PAX East this year was the Battlefield Bad Company 2 tournament. A total of $10,000 was split among the top-three teams to make it through a 64-team bracket. What started as a light-hearted hobby for most competitors is now a way to win respect and cash. Even in our struggling economy, there's a market for fragging noobs.

PAX East took place in Boston this past weekend and the expo was a perfect example of how gamers of all sorts come together for one giant festival of joysticks and gamepads. From the casual handheld players strewn about the expo to the rooms filled with PlayStation 3s and Xbox 360s to the giant LAN and BYOC halls, PAX represents every kind of gamer imaginable. While consoles are representing more and more of the competitive gaming scene, the PC community is still very strong and will be the focal point from here on out.

The start of any tournament is exciting. You’re walking around the LAN area, meeting (or sizing up) other teams, reconnecting with friends you play against in leagues online, and generally, the mood is light. Everyone is here for the same reason: to win.