The pro-gaming model does not hold for in-person gaming presentations. Right now, these events are novelties. When the novelty wears off, what are we left with? Gaming is not like physical sports. No matter what, the match must be watched on TV. You either travel to an event and pay an entrance fee, or you don't. Either way, you'll be watching the matches on TV; but one of the ways is more expensive.

You have to think about the specs. The money comes from them. This is not only about fun, it's also about business. Many people have dreams, when they're young... then they grow up and find the reality does not match the fantasy. Be careful what you wish for, is the common expression. It's not so bad though. I'm sure most of you started playing competitively when you got online. The online model is a proven success. You must have enjoyed your time playing online, or you wouldn't still be playing today.

Online leagues and ladders are the most consistently successful. Instead of re-inventing the wheel, like the CPL attempted with its 'I want to be the nfl' attitude, you should build on what is already a proven success. There are many differences between video games and other games. Differences can make all the difference. What works for other games might not work for video games and vice-versa.

The internet and computers have every utility necessary. If the system ran through something like an xbox, it would be perfectly suitable for a casual audience. GTV could be easily managed. It could be like looking for a game on TV, flipping through the pages of what's available.

People often harpoon the internet way, because of cheating possibilities. There is no more risk of cheating online than there is off, in a professional capacity anyway. What pro-player would risk their 'career' by cheating? I'd have to think, the people who push this argument are in the business of lan-tournaments. The internet is a competitor they want to defeat. If you go internet, they lose money.

It's not so much about what the players prefer. It's more about what can be realistically done. We should get something secure, then we can go from there. $20k a year is not secure. It's almost impossible to be a real pro-player. The money isn't enough to provide long-term security. You'd have to become a salesman like fatality and put your name on everything. That's not gaming, it's marketing.

Internet models are the only models which have achieved long-term success. Add money to the successful competitive online models, and you have pro-gaming. Online tournaments have achieved no long-term success. Far as I know, only ladders and leagues have remained over the past 15 years. Either one should do fine. Might be interesting having a professional ladder. Can't think of any pro-games using a true ladder format. Something like boxing would be the closest. Which means, there's land available. The online-ladder arrangement could be the right one for pro-gaming.