Paris - The World Cup of computer gaming brought some 700 players from 51 countries to Paris for an intense weekend of virtual combat, a sign of the growth of the "electronic sports" industry.
The players, selected from 500 000 candidates, competed for a pool of $180 000 (about R1,2-million) in prize money at the Electronic Sports World Cup grand final, put on by the Games-Services company. It was taking place at a convention hall on the southwestern edge of Paris between 5 and 8 July.
Gamers arrived with their own keyboards and computer mice - as important as "a tennis player's racket," according to one organiser. The computers themselves were provided to ensure fairness.
They were facing off in games including Counter-Strike, Pro Evolution Soccer 6 and Quake IV.
The popularity of video gaming has led to the development of professional players, particularly in South Korea where some earn up to $2-million per year, said Matthieu Dallon, Games-Services president.
"In Korea and in the United States there are television channels 100-percent dedicated to electronic sports," he said.
Svanevik Sondre, a Norwegian player who goes by the name "Real," has sponsorship contracts with Sennheiser, Razer and Qpad - all big names in the industry. His team is among the favorites to win the Counter-Strike competition.
"We try to practise four hours a day, four days a week, and we intensify before the competition," he said. "I get a salary every month. I cannot tell exactly how much but enough to live, more than a thousand euros."
Besides the gamers, between 40 000 and 50 000 people were expected to attend the competition to watch, participate in tournaments and get a look at new gaming products.