Do you remember the guy who spent all day on his computer when he was in high school? Well now he’s a millionaire. How about the kid that kept skateboarding in the grocery store parking lot? Yeah, big bucks. 
The revolution is now affecting gamers. Competitions like the Championship Gaming Series (CGS) has made gaming not only a sport, but a spectator sport. Professional gamer Jonathan (Fatal1ty) Wendel has sponsors lined up around the corner, prompting him to compare himself to Michael Jordan. About $5 million in Fatl1ty-related royalties were claimed in 2006. He endorses things from sound cards to hoodies. He lounges around the Playboy mansion before the CGS draft. Meanwhile, his mom always said he’d “never make a living at it.”
These gamers are not only cool, they are developing talents that are marketable. IBM and Seriosity released a report showing that people involved in virtual world games like World of Warcraft are learning important skills that can be transferred into the real world. They found that great game players were dynamic leaders, able risk takers, and deft politicians.
It’s not like outdoor recreation should be eschewed. In fact, Fatal1ty runs everyday to keep his reflexes up. But time playing games is not time wasted. Forget spelling bees (apparently everyone is tired of them), CGS and other gaming tourneys are where you’ll find the new breed of prodigy.
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