Microsoft to sponsor World Cyber Games

If the World Cyber Games is the Olympics of gaming, expect to hear Microsoft's anthem frequently through 2008.

The WCG announced on Thursday that the software giant has signed on to become the premier sponsor of the annual game competition for the next three years.

The deal gives Microsoft a firm grip on the games featured in the tournament. All PC games will be played on the Windows operating system, and all console games will be played on the Xbox 360. Although the deal sounds like a coup for Microsoft, little about the WCG will change; featured games in past years have all fallen under those guidelines.

The deal will also see Microsoft providing software and hardware for all the WCG events, including both the U.S. and World Championships, the latter of which will be held in Monza, Italy, in October.

Despite the software giant's brand dominance for the competition, only one game selected for this year's WCG--" Project Gotham Racing 3"--is a Microsoft product.

Although Microsoft will be a primary game sponsor, Samsung Electronics will remain the official worldwide sponsor of the WCG.

Tim Surette of GameSpot reported from San Francisco.

[Ishvale]

------> Now

Queue the 'omg micro$oft is teh evil' rantings.

[zaznet]

But you forgot a few...

You forget about the ?Fan Boys? who will come out to support this. You also forget about the Windows on Mac and Mac on Windows fanatics who are due here any minute now too. :)

[Andrew J Glina]

It think it is a bit evil

But it is very common for the title "World" to be misused like this. I, as a Microsoft fanboy, feel that they should either drop the "World" title or include the PS2. Having the "World console" as the Xbox is like having a Mac as a "World Game PC".

[Ishvale]

------> Now

Queue the 'omg micro$oft is teh evil' rantings.

[zaznet]

But you forgot a few...

You forget about the ?Fan Boys? who will come out to support this. You also forget about the Windows on Mac and Mac on Windows fanatics who are due here any minute now too. :)

[Andrew J Glina]

It think it is a bit evil

But it is very common for the title "World" to be misused like this. I, as a Microsoft fanboy, feel that they should either drop the "World" title or include the PS2. Having the "World console" as the Xbox is like having a Mac as a "World Game PC".

[Captain_Spock]

"If...

... the World Cyber Games is the Olympics of gaming" and as has been stated Microsoft is expected to be the major sponsor... how about Microsoft being the Major sponsor for an Olympics "style" Cyber Competition for I_N_T_E_R_N_A_T_I_O_N_A_L - P_R_O_J_E_C_T - E_V_A_L_U_A_T_I_O_N that will bring out the best "BRAINS" in the international business world. Remember the old saying, All Play And No Work Make Jack A "Dumb" Boy!

[Captain_Spock]

"If...

... the World Cyber Games is the Olympics of gaming" and as has been stated Microsoft is expected to be the major sponsor... how about Microsoft being the Major sponsor for an Olympics "style" Cyber Competition for I_N_T_E_R_N_A_T_I_O_N_A_L - P_R_O_J_E_C_T - E_V_A_L_U_A_T_I_O_N that will bring out the best "BRAINS" in the international business world. Remember the old saying, All Play And No Work Make Jack A "Dumb" Boy!

[Mr. Network]

Play nice

I for one welcome our licensing wielding overlords.

[Mr. Network]

Play nice

I for one welcome our licensing wielding overlords.

[Maccess]

Not the World Cyber Games

More like the World MICROSOFT Cyber Games.

There ought to be a World body that complains about the use of the word "World" when the event really only covers a subset of it.

Last time I checked, the Playstation was the World's no. 1 video game.

[Maccess]

Not the World Cyber Games

More like the World MICROSOFT Cyber Games.

There ought to be a World body that complains about the use of the word "World" when the event really only covers a subset of it.

Last time I checked, the Playstation was the World's no. 1 video game.

[JuggerNaut]

Anti-competitiveness at its best!

Just another example of Microsoft being its usual anti-competitve
self, though the WCG rules provide it with an excuse to do so! I
think the WCG should have an open platform policy as well as that
the only games that can qualify for such tournaments have to be
cross platform on both the desktop and the console! Where's the
fun in locking gamers into Windows and Xbox?!

[JuggerNaut]

Anti-competitiveness at its best!

Just another example of Microsoft being its usual anti-competitve
self, though the WCG rules provide it with an excuse to do so! I
think the WCG should have an open platform policy as well as that
the only games that can qualify for such tournaments have to be
cross platform on both the desktop and the console! Where's the
fun in locking gamers into Windows and Xbox?!