By now, everyone you know is some kind of gamer. Whether it's on your iPhone, xBox 360, Facebook, or even on your TV, there's something out there for all interests and skill levels.
But when you're the best of the best at games like Halo, StarCraft, or Tekken, then you need to head to Major League Gaming.
It's the largest "competitive video game league" and will bring it's fall championship back to Dallas this Nov. 2-4 for a three-day tournament offering up more than $150,000 in prizes.
Yes, people do get paid for playing video games. But it's not as easy as you might think.
Competitive gaming is a growing sport -- they call it an eSport -- with live commentary including play by play style analysis, team-based cooperative matches, and live audiences. They even stream the content online to hundreds of thousands of people around the world. In South Korea, for instance, StarCraft matches can be seen on television channels.
The Dallas stop marks the end of the 2012 Pro Circuit Season for MLG, and it's sure to not disappoint.
Halo fans should already start drooling as Halo 4, a game that's not even out yet, is making a pre-release tournament stop in Dallas. Teams of four will have an exclusive opportunity to play the game before it's release for a chance at $40,000 in prizes.
PlayStation 3 fans will be excited about the other pre-release tournament -- a free-to-enter competition on PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale.
Rounding out the tournament play will be StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, League of Legends, Mortal Kombat, and Tekken Tag Tournament 2 -- which is also making it's Pro Circuit debut in Dallas.
Folks who want to watch the gaming in person can buy an on-site ticket for $35 that covers the whole three-day tournament at the Dallas Convention Center.
We've been to a MLG event before, and it's a lot of fun to try out new games on the floor, watch the matches, and hang out with fellow gamers. But, we admit we're total nerds.
If you're interested in the competition, but can't make it out, online viewing of the Dallas event will be available on the official website starting at 5 p.m. on Nov. 2. It's free to watch in standard definition, but you'll have to pony up for HD streams.
