One thing that’s missing from today’s multiplayer gaming is reality. I know that games are supposed to be the virtual reality, but for me, playing a game over the Internet just isn’t the same as playing a game with someone who’s standing right next to you. Online gaming can be far more expansive, but can you see the look on your opponent’s face when you win? Can you open a bag of chips and share a greasy snack afterwards?

Xbox Live is trying to bridge the gap by introducing online video communication and a silly feature that lets you make your opponent’s controller rumble. Surely that can’t compare to the intensity of multiplayer gaming that’s live and in person. Surely that can’t compare to the only national games competition traveling the United States of America – The V Games.

What is The V Games? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the “V” stands for “video.” Sponsored primarily by Electronics Boutique, the premiere shop to satisfy your gaming needs, The V Games lets gamers compete for a grand prize of $10,000. Not $10,000 in gaming equipment. Not $10,000 in “prizes.” Actual cash, awarded to the Halo fan with the quickest trigger finger; the Soul Calibur master with the sharpest sword; and the Tony Hawk trickster with the phattest moves. Super Smash Bros. was added to the tournament lineup shortly before the tour began, giving Goomba and Koopa Troopa-stompers everywhere the chance to cash in.

To qualify for the $10,000, first you must enter The V Games at any of the remaining tournament locations:

Indianapolis, IN (June 26 & 27)
Louisville, KY (July 3 & 4)
Chicago, IL (July 10 & 11)
Milwaukee, WI (July 17 & 18)
Kansas City, MO (July 24 & 25)
Denver, CO (July 31 & August 1)
Seattle, WA (August 7 & 8)
Portland, OR (August 14 & 15)
San Francisco, CA (August 21 & 22)
San Jose, CA (August 28 & 29)
Las Vegas, NV (September 4 & 5)
Phoenix, AZ (September 11 & 12)
San Diego, CA (September 18 & 19)
Los Angeles, CA (September 25 & 26)


While the event only lasts two days, The V Games arrives at each location two days before the start date, giving eager players the chance to practice.

All first-place winners in each city for each game will be flown out to California for the finals in October. Airfare, hotel and transportation are covered. All you have to do is show up.

If you can’t be there, or if you think your win was dumb luck, The V Games gives you the option to take $200 and run. Why take two hundred when you could win ten thousand? No less than 30 of the country’s top players will be at the finals, and only one player in each game will walk away with a smile.
Halo is the exception – besides having an individual free-for-all competition, aspiring Master Chiefs can team up for two-on-two deathmatch. The overall winner must split the money, but five grand is more than enough to purchase all the must-have games being released this year.
What if you’re a great player, think you have what it takes to win the grand prize, but failed to win first place in your city? No problem. As long as you made it to the final four competitors, proving you have what it takes, The V Games will give you a certificate and an invitation to compete at the finals. The only catch is that you’ve gotta pay for the trip.

If you haven’t heard of The V Games until now, don’t feel bad. It wasn’t promoted very heavily, and hasn’t received nearly as much attention as it deserved. There is good news, however. As if gamers didn’t have enough excuses to cut class, the word on the street is that The V Games will be touring colleges next. The college tourney will be separate from the mall tour, so you can expect a whole slew of new prizes, new games (Halo 2, perhaps?), and if we’re really lucky, some booth babes!

All who attended the event seemed to have a really good time. It costs $20 to register ($15 if you had registered early), but unlike most competitions, The V Games has an enormous prize at stake. Also unlike other competitions is that you’re not eliminated immediately after death. In Soul Calibur 2, for example, you have to lose to two separate players before you’re kicked out.

Many gamers attended to support their friends, and thanks to the nice people in charge of the event, non-contestants were given the chance to play just for fun.

Source: GameZone.com