Would you play online games for real $$$?

[cianosheehan]

Just wondering if you'd ever deposit cash on to a site to play video games against other players for real money?

[zacd]

depends on a variety of factors, some important ones:

1) how much of the game is skill based?
2) is the game secure (ie no hacks)
3) how much $$ is being wagered
4) how is the connection

#2 and #4 are the biggest issues. i imagine if fiber optic connections make lag a thing of the past, competitive gaming is going to get huge.

[crovax4444]

I like the points zacd brings up, and I actually think everyone of these points is very important. But to answer OP, yes. I could definitely play some low level DM UT2k4 or high level ONS.

Crovax

[toss]

I predict online gaming for $$$ is going to get big within the next five to ten years. There's already a site set up to wager on some of Steam's games.

[g-bebe]

[ QUOTE ]
I predict online gaming for $$$ is going to get big within the next five to ten years. There's already a site set up to wager on some of Steam's games.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOLOLCS:S4ROLLS

[ilya]

yes, but I can't see it getting as big as online poker...not enough short-/medium-term luck in most games.

[BillNye]

Lag/Disconnects/etc

I'd be much more skeptical but if say a companies like microsoft, sony, nintendo came and supported it and anti-hack could be proven. I would play and get beaten. But there is already a market for it on localised closed servers.

[jah7_fsu1]

I would have to be convinced I wasn't being cheated. Much more so than I do in online poker for some reason.

[Dire]

No. I don't think 'real' competitive gaming will ever really hit the mainstream. It's too skill based, like chess. It's also too susceptable to cheating, like chess. Not good for spectators since the result is largely decided beforehand and not good for competitors unless they're at the absolute top, again like chess.