Microsoft backs WCG

This is interesting.....

Microsoft Hooks World Cyber Games
By Laurie Sullivan, TechWeb News

Microsoft Corp. has signed on to sponsor the World Cyber Games competition through 2008, the WCG gaming commission said Thursday.

World Cyber Games provides a global tournament within cyberspace gamers calls "e-sports." The deal gives Microsoft a grip on games featured in the tournament. Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 will become the exclusive platforms for the world's largest videogame tournament that draws more than a million competitors worldwide each year. Competitors vie for millions in prizes. Games include Dead or Alive 4 and Project Gotham Racing 3.

South Korea will hold the preliminary games this month with Xbox Live online gaming competitions and real-world elimination rounds.

Monza, Italy, will host this year's final event from Oct. 18-22. Seattle, Wash., will hold the 2007 World Cyber Games Grand Final.