Sri Lankans in general find computer games something to keep tiny tots occupied for a few hours at best. Those a little more in the know will be the ones saying that computer games are played by rich kids who have too much free time and too much money. Of course all that is not exactly true.
Those who really know, would be aware that computer gaming is in fact a massive underground movement in Sri Lanka, with gamers scattered all over the island fragging people on Counter-Strike or burning asphalt on Need for Speed. Not rich kids or geeks, but average people doing jobs, or excelling in their studies!

There's really been no way to tally, count and analyse them since there's never been a unifying organizational structure. This is in stark contrast to more computer oriented nations like the United States, Canada and most prominent of all; South Korea. In South Korea computer games aren't a game they're a sport, a professional sport. You heard me. The Korean's actually coined the term "eSport" and now serious gamers can take a flight, play games and actually get paid over there.

Playing and competing professionally isn't something new to the games. The concept has been around since video games were first created. The company Twin Galaxies keeps records of gaming achievements dating back 20 years, and they created the first U.S. National Video Gaming Team back in 1983. Video Game giant Nintendo held its first World Series of Gaming in 1990 as well.

The real explosion came about with the Internet and the birth of the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) in 1997. The CPL saw attendance increase by thousands with each new event and even more joining in online to watch the finales. CPL expanded to a point where in 2005 they launched the CPL World Tour; a year-long event with 9 international stops with the finals in New York. The winner ultimately cashed in a cheque for $150000 USD and the runner-up received a cool $100000 as well.

But that's not the only tournament. The Electronic Sports World Cup, which began in 2003, has given out prize money amounting to $1,277,500 and the last event in Paris had 750 finalists from 51 countries. But the biggest event is the one that's called "The Olympics of Cyber Gaming." It's the World Cyber Games in Korea. Being modelled on the Olympics, WCG even has an Olympic village for its players. Last year's events consisted of 700 players chosen through preliminaries held in their own countries and almost a million spectators every year.

With such followings it's not surprising that companies treat top players like any other sports star. Apart from the considerable loot one acquires after a win, sponsorships and endorsements can keep a good players pockets well lined. The best example for this is Jonathan Wendel, better known in gaming circles as "Fatal1ty." He made his mark on the CPL with over $500,000 in wins, and now he has his own company and brand. His screen name can be seen on everything from mice (computer mice that is) to graphics cards and he gets to keep a cut of the profits. A serious pro gamer, he admits to practicing 8-10 hours a day. Of course he's an extreme case but that doesn't mean you can't be just as successful.
eSports is still in its infancy. It hasn't had the centuries other games have had to evolve. But things are rapidly changing. eSports have grown to the point where you now have dedicated gaming television channels. So things for the eSports community are look bright. That kid with the glasses tapping on the keyboard next to you, might be tomorrow's millionaire jock.