In the wake of the Athens Olympics, another sporting competition has unfolded more quietly in San Francisco. The World Cyber Games is an event that has continued to gather momentum.

Competitors from more than 60 countries around the world convened to compete for both money and computer game prestige. For geeks? Definitely. The way of the future? Possibly. Don't believe me? In some places, gaming is more serious than you think.

The first time I visited my best friend's apartment in Seoul, it was to find him ensconced on the sofa transfixed by two guys playing a computer game against each other on television. Okay. I'm a pretty open'minded guy, but I admit this had me looking for the nearest exit. As I became more familiar with Korea, I was to realize that not only was this not unusual, but the audience was bigger and more diverse than I expected.

Parents that rail against their children playing too many computer games may possibly be discouraging them from a lucrative career. In Korea, playing games can be serious business. Professional Starcraft players are celebrities, with the top few being household names. Although no longer the top player, Im Yo Hwan is still probably the best known. He has yearly earnings that exceed US$100000, endorses products, makes public appearances and, naturally, appears on television. He is one of the few who achieve stardom through playing computer games for a living.

Since the arrival of internet cafes (PC bang) in Korea, their numbers have become nigh uncountable. Within a radius of 200 metres around my apartment in Seoul, there were perhaps ten. Most are open 24 hours, although school kids may have to go home by ten or eleven pm. Not only are the cafes cheap, but the convenience of Korea means that I can call from my computer to the local Korean Chinese restaurant, and for around five or six dollars I can have noodles in black bean sauce (jjajangmyeon) delivered at no extra cost right to my lap. After I have finished, I can leave the plate by the door, the scooter'riding delivery boy will come and pick it up later.

Computer games are not just for geeks in Korea. Playing games has been accepted into mainstream culture and adopted by the young and the not'so'young alike. In a country that still has a lot to do to address the status of its women, there are female players that also make it to the top leagues.

There are two main full'time cable television channels devoted to gaming. Programs vary from the curious to the bizarre. Aside from the different professional leagues (more on them anon), there are chat shows with pro'gamers, shows to help you improve your own game, and even occasionally dramas with voices dubbed onto computer game characters.

Starcraft is still the King of Games in Korea. It is a game that is over five years old, but owes its longevity to the depth of the game and the skill it allows the players to exhibit. The two different channels, MBC Game (http://www.mbcgame.com) and Ongamenet (http://www.ongamenet.com) run individual and team leagues constantly. These are played in places where the public can watch. Audiences are typically made up of young men and women in their teens or twenties, perhaps shyly holding signs for their favourite gamers. Pro'gamer groupies? In Korea, they exist. Finals are held at stadiums, with large numbers of fans turning out, in wet'weather gear if required. The colour of one's balloon shows the player you support. Moments of drama in the game will be punctuated by intermittent cheers or gasps from the crowd. Or sometimes even tears. I am not exaggerating.

Sure, I knew all of it was crazy when I arrived in Korea. But, after a bit of prodding from my Korean friends, and some careful tutoring, I started playing myself. Two and a half years have passed. Now you might find me in one of Sydney's fast internet cafes honing the skills or learning from the masters. Yeah, I have missed the WCG this year. But there is always next year...

Joystick image courtesy of Free Images
Laptop image © Rene Mansi, Freestock.co.uk