Will TV gaming be the next Texas hold 'em?

There's lots of buzz out there about Major League Gaming's announcement that it has signed a deal to have its entire tournament season broadcast on the USA Network.

MLG operates a seven-city pro circuit, which begins next week. More than 1,500 players will compete for the championship in two games: "Halo 2" and "Super Smash Bros. Melee World."

Many think the TV exposure will create more notoriety and respect for cyber-athleticism, and will tap into a market beyond hard-core gamers. Others, however, aren't so sure people are going to have the interest and patience in watching--but not playing--games. As "Finster" said in response to an AFK Gamer blog, "It's like golf. Infinitely more fun to play than it is to watch."

That logic, however, doesn't explain the wild popularity of poker shows. And let's not forget the people that truly enjoy watching golf on TV.

Blog community response:

"I'm not sure I want to watch other people play games--wouldn't I rather play myself? Ya, think I would--but one thing that would vastly improve televised gaming: Gambling. They work something out with Vegas or...people that are more local...I'm on board."
--AFK Gamer

"MLG has been around for a little while, but this will take their recognition beyond video game junkies and pseudo-junkies like myself. I am intrigued and look forward to watching this pan out to see if it catches on as they hope it will...Honestly, I'm jealous...making money to play video games, that's always been a dream job that I never thought existed."
--Aimless Reality

"It's possible that MLG on TV will indeed take off, and to help that happen, I present a simple suggestion borrowed from the poker world: celebrities. Heck, even I'd pay to see Jeanette Lee play Quake 4."
--arstechnica

"Can a reality show be far behind?"
--The Tech Chronicles