What is a “Pro Gamer”? Is it someone who is Pro-Gaming like being Pro-Life, is it a Professional Gamer? Even more-so, what technically qualifies you as a Pro-Gamer?

This is a topic that has circulated in my head as I was reading up on some of these Street Fighter Tournaments that circulate the interwebs. You have videos that have fans drooling over the possibility of being “that good”, while others think these people have way too much time on their hands.

And then,  I was listening the GamingVice “GetHype!!” Podcast, that’s when  I realized that there is a deep science to Fighting games that I had no idea even existed. I personally have been a beast at Madden, but have fallen off over the years.

Before I go into all of that, I want to go back into the topic of what makes you a Pro Gamer. My perspective of a Pro Gamer is someone who plays Video Games and makes money being heralded at the top of their class.

In this regard, I will go over two of the most popular tournaments that gamers know about. One being the EA Sports Madden Challenge / Madden Nation and The Street Fighter Tournaments. Both of these Tournaments are common knowledge to all gamers, whether you like the game or not. The greatest perk of being a “Pro” at these games is are the cash prizes that you can win.

The Madden Tournament is the only Tournament in the US that is aired on cable, and usually results in someone winning a $100,000.00 Grand Prize. The Grand Prize is an outstanding perk for someone who just sits around playing video games all day as well as a ringing endorsement for people who already are among the cult following for the game.

Below is the history of the Madden nation Championship matches featuring the winners and losers.

• Rob Taylor, a.k.a. Duka who defeated Sherman Jameson a.k.a. Sherm Sticky to become the champion of Madden Nation Season 1.
• Billy Wolf, a.k.a. Da Secret, defeated Frederick Amponsem, a.k.a. Fred Dizzle, to become the champion of Madden Nation Season 2.
• Eric Velarde, a.k.a. Problem defeated Ronnie Casey a.k.a. Sirus the Virus to become the champion of Madden Nation season 3.
• Nephew beat Dynasty to become the champion of Madden Nation Season 4. (actual names of these players not listed)

While Madden Tournaments are well known in the United States, Street Fighter Tournaments are well known around the world. Starting with Japan which has spawned an offspring type cult following over here in the US.

Being a Pro at Street Fighter can net you six figures a year if you are good, while being a Pro at Madden can get you six figures for that year if you actually win it. However, earning such a title at Street Fighter seems to be much more difficult than madden as you seem to have a few Elite players that pretty much dominate gaming circles, if they decide to attend.

A few players that come to mind when anyone talks about fighting Games are Poongko from Korea, Daigo “The Beast” and Iyo who are both from Japan and Justin Wong who resides in New York.

Daigo is touted as the top Street Fighter player who also ousted Justin Wong for the Street Fighter IV International title, leaving Justin Wong as the National champion. Daigo is the most respected out of the bunch, while Justin is known for his Marvel VS Capcom catch-phrases that he incoherently shouts out as he hands you the beating of your life.

While these two players aren’t unbeatable, you should definitely treat yourself to a double ice cream cone after an unlikely victory.

Now, if you’re a Pro at these games and you dominate pretty much the entire competition, the ride doesn’t just stop at earning cash prizes at Tournaments. For starters, you can get sponsored or even earn a job with the development team, because who else would you want idea’s from other than the people who would rather play your game than sleep?

All in all, is it worth taking the time to become a “Pro Gamer”, or would you rather keep it simple and have fun? And that’s not to suggest that winning a decent amount of change from playing your favorite game isn’t fun, it just becomes more of a job than anything. Because you don’t want to lose even the slightest step and become just another great competitor, then all that hard work was for naught, right?

But at the end of the day, there is one question I would like to ask these “Pro Gamers”. Has all this time and hard work spent on gaming been worth the effort in achieving this goal, and in hindsight, would they choose to do something else with their time?

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