JasonL
New Member
Cash: $ 0.25
Posts: 6
Joined: 15 Aug 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
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Hello,
I am somewhat new to this forum (just came across it in a Google search), so I am unsure if this is the right place to post this-- or even how to go about proposing something like this over a forum.
Anyway, I am here in regards to funding/business partners for a Professional Gaming Team. Now, I am sure some of you are probably confused about professional gaming; people actually get paid to play games? Yes, in fact people do get played to paid some of the most popular games. The video game industry is steadily growing, with billions of dollars in profits.
Some games are meant for single-player play, where people play against a computer/AI. Others are meant for multiplayer play, where people play against other people, sometimes in teams, often referred to as "clans."
Over time ("competitive" gaming has been around for a few years now), these games became more and more popular, and more professional tournaments formed in which gamers could attend to compete for large cash prizes. Some of the tournaments that still exist, such as the CPL (http://www.thecpl.com) is backed by major sponsors, such as Intel, Nvidia, etc. These sponsors offer tens of thousands (in the case of the CPL World tour, millions) of dollars as prize money. One team can go home with as much as $20,000 in prize money.
Just like sporting teams/organizations, E-sport (video game) teams also have sponsors. These sponsors, in exchange for advertising, provide teams with a myriad of things; from $X per month, to hardware, to software. It takes a smart marketing mind to contact these sponsors and get them to put money into gaming; but it has been done, with sponsors such as Intel, Nvidia, Logitech, and even Subway. These companies realize the potential to market directly to gamers.
So, what capital is involved in a gaming team? At first, a small amount of money is definitley needed as signing bonuses. The top teams (the biggest teams are from Europe, who usually have billionaires as private funding) can pay their players as much as $4,000 a month to play (with a roster of 5 players that adds up to $20,000 a month). In the US, things have not gotten that high yet. Most players would settle for a one-time fee of $500-1,000. It is extremely important to have the highest possible quality of players. Without the skill, you can't win any prize money, and won't be able to attract any sponsors.
The income you receive in the pro-gaming business comes from winning tournaments (and reaping a share of the prize money), and collecting a percentage of $ that the sponsors provide each month.
Anyway, if anyone is interested in this, feel free to email me at jason@unrealconcepts.com - I have experience in running one of these teams, and have the contacts in the community that it requires to build a successful team. I am also owner/founder of a web design firm, so I have a good nose for business.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.. I hope someone is interested. Thanks!
more links to check out:
GAMING COVERAGE SITES:
http://www.gotfrag.com
http://www.ampednews.com
http://www.esreality.com
GAME LEAGUES/TOURNEYS:
http://www.caleague.com
http://www.thecpl.com
http://www.ggl.com
http://www.esworldcup.com/2005/
http://www.worldesportsgames.com
http://www.mlgpro.com
TEAM SITES:
http://www.complexityclan.com
http://www.team3d.net
http://www.united5.net
http://www.teamfnatic.com
http://www.sk-gaming.com
http://www.inevitabledemise.com
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