The last time Virgin was associated with video games, we were popping 7UP Cool Spot cartridges into our consoles, but the company is taking a different approach this around time with Virgin Gaming, a gaming tournament-focused social network that could send you into outerspace -- no joke.
There are a variety of ways to participate in gaming tournaments, but Virgin Gaming argues too much is focused on intensely competitive professional leagues. Even though part of my job is to play video games for a living, none of that qualifies me to join a professional gaming league. Combine that with the fact that most non-sports games don't feature tournament structures and there's an opportunity for someone to come in and do something interesting. Virgin Gaming wants to level the playing field a bit and provide a place where gamers can be regularly matched together on a similar level.
Virgin Gaming will support Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 games at launch, but only select games. On Xbox 360: Halo 3, Madden NFL 10, FIFA 10, NHL 10 and NCAA Football 10. On PlayStation 3: Fight Night Round 4, Madden 10, FIFA 10, NHL 10, NCAA Football 10, ModNation Racers and UFC Undisputed 2010. Gamers will be able to influence which games are added once it all launches.
To actually compete requires making a free account at www.virgingaming.com. Besides having regular organized tournaments simply for fun, a major hook of Virgin Gaming is going to be the luxurious prizes. Seriously. Virgin Gaming will be giving away $1 million over the next year. It's not all in a lump sum, but Virgin Gaming tournament prizes will range anywhere from $500 to $50,000. Not bad.
It could get much cooler, though. While it's not officially on the docket yet, Virgin Gaming reps told me there's nothing really preventing them from eventually offering someone the chance to hitch a ride on Virgin Galactic, Virgin's flight initiative to allow space travel to the (rich) everyman.
To the parents who told you games would never get you anywhere, how about going to space?
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Displaying 1–5 of 5
xzero4lifexx
is anyone else having a problem signing up for this it says my date format is invalid it doesnt make sense
pinicilin
I have already registered for the site, but they need to add more games, more FPS to give it more life. Right now all they got is Halo + bunch of sports game which I do not play. Will be waiting to see more support! Idea is nice and will work if a critical mass of gamers will register so you could have tournaments on different skill levels etc.
Doug Otto
Sports games much?
bunnyglomp
So, the orginal Game lader king, PC, is no where to be found?
sad day for gaming.
XwingVmanX
Kinda disappointed at the PS3 games they selected. Mod Nation Racers is interesting choice, but I would like one shooter. Even Xbox only has Halo 3. I will join once there are more games.
Displaying 1–5 of 5