Before the launch of the new reality series, WCG Ultimate Gamer, WCG has teamed up with IGN and launched some teaser web episodes that revolve around teams and other gamers that competed at WCG Cologne Germany in the finals last year. I thought it was important to highlight these web videos as they show the true competitive side of professional gaming and what it’s like, as well as I always believe in supporting things that should have an impact on growing this industry and sport.

So far they have video’s for Halo 3 and PGR4 and they are just short clips and interviews about the teams and players as well as footage from the competitions themselves. As of course I am supporting WCG Ultimate gamer because of the involvement of myself and friends- I also support it for the same reason’s all YOU should: This is a big opening set for not only professional gaming, but the gaming community in general; another step towards sanctifying gaming as not only a possible career choice but an important competitive sport.

I know many people, including gamers who have never really experienced competitive tournaments themselves, like to mock gaming as a professional sport but there are many people that pour the better part of their days into training, researching, and competing to become the best in something they love to do.  They deserve your respect!  While only a small percentage can ever rise to the top and make a career out of gaming, the people in these videos are the cream of the crop and are the ones that are paving the way for the future wishful pro-gamers and the overall perception of gaming in general.

While you can’t compare the reality show with these video web episodes as they are so different in nature (one being a normal video following players at a tournament and one being a reality show), they are the same in terms of providing an impact on the gaming industry itself and helping to highlight the players themselves, which down the road should help garner some player control in an industry where leagues and sponsors control all funds, press, and players. These are also the players that are out there fighting and winning matches in order to not only have the pride in being the best in their game, but the ones that will be representing all gamers in the media. They deserve a hat tip for this as long as they continue to represent in a positive and productive way.

It is my hope that one day players themselves will be helping to control at least SOME of the perception and money allocation of professional gaming and gaming industry in general.  While some people laugh and mock the idea of “gaming superstars”, in all honesty the only way players will have a voice is to continue to build this idea in a community that the majority are very jaded and negative about this concept all together. So quite BEING jaded and negative people and start supporting anything that can help gamers themselves having an impact instead of the corporate companies that control all at this time.  And you pro-gamers, please also remember that no matter how good you are, YOU are the representation for everyone, so it is up to you to do this in the right way. I can tell you that you will be limited in your opportunities if you JUST care about winning and not being a positive role model. It’s about paving the way for the future- and like with any sport- only the best players AND representatives will be the ones to truly go anywhere in the long term.