Russian gamers converge on Paris
Published 07 July, 2007, 08:59
Gamers from all over the world have gathered for the international computer games tournament in Paris and, as usual, Russia's representatives are among the favourites. And it's not just the boys who have come out to play.
The youngsters who came to the tournament are addicted to their sport and they're all vying for the video gaming world cup. There are about 750 gamers from all over the world are here to battle it out for around $US200,000 of prize money. The average video gaming professional can earn tens of thousands of dollars a year at competitions.
“Well, it's just about the excitement, the game. You know, you play, you win, the rush you get out of it. So, I guess I'm here for a competitive game, to get prizes,” Nickunj Bansal, Indian gamer, said.
In the computer gaming world this 20-year-old Russian is a superstar. Like all gamers he goes by his nickname: Cooller. He's won several international competitions and is hoping to win this one, too. He says the secret of his success is dedication and training. He studies his opponents' past games to find their weak spots.
But it's not only boys that go crazy for gaming. There's a female only tournament as well.
Girl gangs with names like ninjas in pijamas prepare to virtually assassinate their opponents.
“Girls like to spend time not on games but going to the cinema, to beauty salons e.t.c. I don't like it because. maybe I should have been born a boy! All of us here, female gamers, think so: we should have been born boys!” Olga Pak, Russian gamer, regrets.
As international video gaming competitions like this grow in size girls hope that one day they'll get to take on the boys.
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