I’m sure you’ve already heard that ESPN will carry all of Major League Gaming’s “digital coverage of MLG’s 2008 Pro Circuit Competitions, including exclusive streamed matches, pro player interviews, and scores and stats. Additionally, MLG will host ESPN co-branded online video game tournaments.”

This could severely change the gaming industry - world wide.

How?

Gamers now have one definitive source for all things relating to games - on a Major, World Wide Television Network.

“So What?”

Have any idea what happens when a sport (or any type of competition) moves to television?

Fan base and revenue goes way, way up.

So What?

For gamers that means there will be:

• More players
• Tougher competition
• More tournaments
• Bigger tournaments
• World Wide tournaments and/or Leagues
• Larger prizes - “Cash money homey”
• More Sponsorships

In fact, Major League Gaming should easily accomplish what the NFL and MLB wish they could do: Become the best international league in their respective area of competition.

It’s very likely the MLG will one day be larger, in revenue, than any of the major sports leagues in the U.S.

“What about Bungie and the other developers?”

Again, this will ESPN change gaming world wide - even for developers. Every developer is going to want it’s game featured in a tournament that’s broadcast live - all over the world. It’s free, world wide advertising - Invaluable.

My guess is there will be a major push from developers to create multiplayer, slayer type games in the next few years. And I mean Slayer ONLY. Maybe there’s no story or single player campaign - and every ounce of effort goes into creating a killer tournament-only game.

Even if games featured in tournaments on ESPN include all game play types, like Halo, the fact remains: Get your game on ESPN = Sell more games = Make more money.

In case you didn’t know, developers like money.

Look for the gaming industry as a whole to swell in the next few years…

Check this out: ESPNVideogames.com