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thedrifter
10-17-05, 06:34 AM
When I grow up ... I'll play video games for a living
Cash prizes, sponsorships await those with the right skills
By KURT MOORE
The Marion Star
The Marion Star/James Miller

Ben Holler, right, and Chase Gherman go head-to-head while playing Halo 2, the popular X-Box video game on Saturday, Oct. 8. The two college freshmen are regulars at Mr. Ego's gaming cafe.

What is Halo 2?

Game description: Sequel to Xbox exclusive Halo: Combat Evolved. In Halo 2, the saga continues as Master Chief - a genetically enhanced super-soldier - is the only thing standing between the relentless Covenant coalition of alien races and the destruction of all humankind.

The game picks up where Halo: Combat Evolved concluded. Aliens regroup after their defeat at the ancient Halo artifact and go on a murderous rampage towards Earth. It is up to Master Chief to save humankind.

According to players, Halo 2 is the premiere first-person shooter that comes action-packed with a wide choice of weapons but at the same time easy-to-use controls. New maps are constantly being offered for download, a feature that can keep the game playing fresh.

What's new:

On the Web

# Ability to dual-wield smaller weapons.

# New tools such as the battle rifle and upgrades to classics like the pistol and needler.

# New game varieties such as Capture the Flag and Assault.

# Improved maps and online play.

# Some new vehicles and different ways to damage the vehicles.

# To learn more about basics, how to play and tips and tricks: www.xbox.com/ en-US/halo2/default.htm

# To read about upcoming Xbox games and consoles: www.xbox.com/ en-us/default.htm

# To read about upcoming PlayStation 2 games and consoles: www.playstation.com/


Gannett News Service

In "Halo 2,' up to 16 players can battle aliens - or each other - by going online using Xbox Live.

Job description: Be a heavily-armored, super-soldier and lead a group of Marines against the Covenant armada.

Skills required: Be cool under pressure, move faster and be more precise than your opponent.

Tools: Your weapon of choice.

And your reward for accepting this mission. How does thousands of dollars in cash sound? But first you have to prove you are among the best.

Meet Martin Ryan, 21, of Pickerington. If you play Halo 2 you've probably heard of him as Ogre3, part of the professional video game playing trio that also includes twin brothers Tom and Dan Ryan.

At 11 years old he became reigning Donkey Kong champion in a competition sponsored by Blockbuster Videos. Ten years later he is playing Halo 2 as a member of the Revolution Sports team, earning money not only by winning an occasional tournament but by attracting sponsors much like a professional race car driver may do.

Being on top can mean big prizes for pro gamers like the Ryan brothers, who have won close to $100,000 in the past few years. It can also mean near-celebrity status, such as that enjoyed by a singer or a professional athlete. They even have their own competitions, the crowning one being the World Cybergames that Martin Ryan describes as the video game Olympics of the world. His brothers will be headed to this year's World Cybergames in November in Singapore.

He and one of his brothers will be showing their skills to area gamers in a Friday tournament in Marion.

Ryan said the climb to the top started by coincidence for his brothers. In short, a friend invited them to a Halo: Combat Evolved tournament, they stomped on the other players, and soon discovered they were among the world's best Halo players.

That was four years ago, a year before Ryan started playing Halo and then Halo 2 professionally. The Ohio State University student calls it his part-time job.

He started playing for Revolution Sports in August and now handles marketing and management of the team.

Some of his teammates were friends, while other players were recruited based on their skill.

"There's always a chance," he said of being "discovered." He cautioned, however, that only a small margin of players attain the status needed to make money as a professional game player.

While his brothers often rank at the top, he said his team ranks consistently in the top five to top 10 and makes much of its money through sponsoring competitions and products. He also offers lessons at a cost of $9 for a half an hour or $17 for an hour.

It's a job that Pleasant High School graduate Ben Holler, 19, would like to have. Holler, a frequent player at Mr. Ego's where he plays with buddy Chase Gherman, is hoping to turn pro as he prepares to enter a Chicago Halo 2 tournament. He said pro status means sponsorships, invitations to professional tournaments and an opportunity to make some cash.

"It's a good living if you can get there," said Gherman, 18, a Marion Harding High School graduate who credited Holler with teaching him how to play. Not only do you have to be a top player, he said, but you also have to find three people just as dedicated to serve on your team.

"You can't go with mediocre players," said Holler.

Becoming a success does have its costs.

"People know our names, backgrounds, schools and classes," said Ryan. He said the real way he and his brothers have experienced the effects of fame is through America Online. He said his brothers' screen names somehow became public and they had to shut off instant messages because they were getting three per minute from people they didn't know.

Another way he has been able to gauge his team's success is when its captain, Jeffe Latham, releases a video. He said such a release is often met with about half a million downloads.

"It's something very different and very unique," said Ryan.Video gaming hasn't only turned into a money maker for its players. Businesses are also paying attention.

Consider some of the statistics, such as those found on Xbox Solution's web site. Online games are expected to reach up to $3.8 billion in revenue by 2009, when Xbox expects there will be 28.5 million online video gamers, up from 4.4 million in 2004.

Ryan said an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 Halo 2 players sign on Xbox live each day.

Sponsorship is now reaching outside just personal computer and game system manufacturers as a few other industries recognize the opportunity to capture a share of the youth market. Johnson & Johnson subsidiary McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals, makers of Tylenol, are now sponsoring the pro Counter Strike team Ouch.

Mr. Ego's name can be found on the list of Revolution Sports' sponsors. Co-owner Robert Hopkins, who is hosting his first professional tournament Friday, said he hopes to eventually see the cafe sponsor a local player. He said such a move would not only offer an opportunity to the cafe but to other local businesses as well.

Hopkins said it can also help the player because it covers costs such as travel time and entrance fees to tournaments.

Before they worry about the cash, they need one thing first.

"You got to have the skills," said Hopkins.

Reporter Kurt Moore: 740-375-5151 or kdmoore@nncogannett.com

Ellie