Over 200 of America's best video gamers will be invited to the Los Angeles Convention Center this weekend to battle it out at the World Cyber Games USA 2008 National Final. There will be many prizes, including cold hard cash, but twenty-five lucky gold and silver finalists will earn roster spots on gaming's own Team USA, and have the opportunity to compete with the world's best at the World Cyber Games 2008 Grand Final in Cologne, Germany. Little known fact, I actually held, at one point, the second highest score in the world at the game Air Zonk for the TurboGrafx 16. If you don't believe me, check out issue #45 of EGM (if you still have it) and flip to the back where they use to do those score contests. Anyway, full release with details after the jump!
NEW YORK, NY, September 30, 2008 - World Cyber Games (WCG), the recognized leader for global video game competitions, welcomes more than 200 of America’s very best gamers to the Los Angeles Convention Center from October 3-5 to compete at 14 top video games and the chance to take home a share of more than $100,000 in cash and prizes in the WCG USA National Final (http://us.wcg.com). More importantly, twenty five (25) WCG USA gold and silver medalists will earn coveted spots on the roster of gaming’s only TEAM USA and the opportunity to battle the world’s elite players at the WCG 2008 Grand Final taking place in Cologne, Germany November 5-9. TEAM USA will join 700-plus international players from more than 70 nations competing for a prize purse exceeding $500,000 and international e-Sports stardom at the WCG Grand Final. Team USA won the overall World Championship at the WCG 2007 Grand Final held in Seattle’s Qwest Field. Gaming fans will be able to see several elite competitors live at this year’s WCG USA National Final as several returning members of last year’s WCG World Champion Team USA squad will participate, including: Kamran Siddiqui – Need For Speed: ProStreet – Orlando, FL Geoff Robinson - StarCraft: Brood War – Seattle, WA Brian Boyle - Project Gotham Racing 4 – Chicago, IL Wesley Cwiklo - Project Gotham Racing 4 - Los Angeles, CA David Lathrop - Command and Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath - Syracuse, NY Shawn Teeter - Command and Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath - San Diego, CA Raghav Phadke - Age of Empires III – Buffalo, NY Additionally, through a partnership with eSportsTV, fans who can’t be there live will be able to watch the tournament action with full play by play shoutcasting and up to the minute news online. Meanwhile, former pro-gamer and WCG USA emcee Andande “Swoozie” Thorne will also provide a fun insider’s look into the National Final via a series of exclusive video blogs. To view the video blogs and eSportsTV tournament coverage please log onto http://us.wcg.com and follow the corresponding links.. PC, Console and Mobile games featured in the WCG USA 2008 tournament include Half-Life: Counter Strike 1.6 (PC), StarCraft: Brood War (PC), WarCraft III: The Frozen Throne (PC), Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath (PC), Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties (PC), FIFA Soccer 08 (PC), Need For Speed: ProStreet (PC), Carom 3D (PC), Red Stone (PC), Halo 3 (Xbox 360), Project Gotham Racing 4 (Xbox 360), Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Xbox 360) and Virtua Fighter 5 (Xbox 360) Asphalt 4 Elite Racing (Mobile) “Los Angeles will be the epicenter of both pro and recreational gaming action as the World Cyber Games USA National Final lands at the E For All expo as a spectacular ‘event within the event.’ Gaming fans and aspiring competitors can come out and see America’s very best video game players battle to become stars in e-Sports’ most prestigious tournament,” said Michael Arzt, general manager of World Cyber Games USA. “With more than $100,000 in cash and prizes on the line and only 25 precious spots on TEAM USA up for grabs, there’s no question that this year’s WCG USA Final, exploding amid the excitement of E For All, is the year’s must-attend gaming event.” All visitors to E for All will have the opportunity to take in the action and fun at this year’s WCG National Final as well as win trips, cash and prizes. WCG Worldwide Partner, Samsung, will have a major presence, highlighted by the Samsung Experience and Samsung Mobile Challenge. “Samsung Electronics supports the WCG in America and in 70 countries around the world because we understand that gaming is a key passion and driver for our consumers,” said Steven Cook, senior vice president and chief strategic marketing officer, Samsung Electronics America. “We are constantly seeking new and engaging ways to blend the intersections between our consumers’ interests and our products. The WCG is a perfect example of how consumers’ passions, along with Samsung’s imagination, leading edge technology and design intersect to deliver a unique experience.” Samsung Telecommunications America presents the WCG’s biggest free walk-up tournament ever: The Samsung Mobile Challenge. Visitors are invited to compete at Asphalt 4 on Samsung phones for an unprecedented opportunity to win $1,000 and a trip to the WCG 2008 Grand Final as an OFFICIAL MEMBER of TEAM USA and the very special chance to compete for up to $10,000 against 9 other nations’ finalists at the WCG 2008 Grand Final in Cologne, Germany. In addition, visitors can check out some of Samsung’s hottest new mobile phones currently available, plus some sneak previews of what’s yet to come. Next-door at the Samsung Blu-Ray Experience, fans can check out the latest in high definition home entertainment technology, including HDTV’s featuring Samsung Electronics’ truly-immersive home 3D video technology, true Hi-Definition 1080p Television and HD gaming demonstrations showcasing the incredible new Iron Man Blu-Ray DVD and the Iron Man video game, respectively. Gamers will also have the opportunity to try their skill playing as Iron Man on the Xbox 360 for chances to win Best Buy gift cards, awarded hourly in a fun walk-up tournament. In addition, every PC and console game station in the WCG USA National Final tournament will exclusively feature Samsung’s spectacular new Touch of Color PC monitors or HDTV’s. WCG USA Premier Partner Microsoft Xbox 360 will offer fans yet another unprecedented special preview opportunity as they allow gamers to get their hands on this holiday’s most-anticipated game title. For the first time anywhere, and only at the WCG USA at E For All, lucky gamers can play the all-new Gears of War 2 cooperative mode, “Horde.” This is an incredible opportunity to be among the first gamers anywhere to team up and fend off a seemingly endless onslaught of Locust forces to attain the highest score. Several other unique and fun “Gears of War” giveaways and promotions will take place throughout each day. Philips amBX, will be on hand to present a variety of top PC titles that have been “amBX enabled” to deliver the ultimate sensory gaming experience. Dust-Off will allow visitors a spin on their incredible prize wheel that showcases some of their most innovative products, including the incredible “Quiver” carrying case for gamers. WCG USA at E for All show dates and hours at the Los Angeles Convention Center are: Friday, October 3 10:00AM - 8:00PM Saturday, October 4 10:00AM - 7:00PM Sunday, October 5 10:00AM - 4:00PM WCG USA event highlights include: Opening Ceremony: Friday October, 3rd 5:00PM Tournament Play and Stage Matches: Friday - Sunday Closing Ceremony: Sunday October, 5th 2:00PM For more information about the WCG USA National Final and Team USA please go to http://us.wcg.com. For more info about attending the E For All expo at the L.A. Convention Center, including ticket information, please go to www.eforallexpo.com.