World Series of Video Games is no more

by Justin McElroy { Sep 13th 2007 at 8:30AM }

Before anybody could so much as make a movie about a scrappy gang of no-names overcoming adversity to get to it, the World Series of Video Games has died. According to the group's website, not only is the series kaput, the three remaining events have also been canceled. As you probably could have guessed, it was chalked up to "the continuing challenges of securing adequate revenues to sustain the production of the WSVG's large scale events."

We have to admit, we didn't see this coming. ... Well, we did in the sense that we expect any enterprise based on watching people play video games to fail, but things did seem to be going fairly well the last time we talked about the WSVG, what with their airings on CBS and the like. That said, did any of you actually watch those? Yeah, us neither. Maybe that could be part of the problem?

[Via WoW Insider]

Tags: wsvg

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

jorojoserojas @ Sep 13th 2007 8:37AM

I'm not surprised. I see video games as more of a personal entertainment, akin to watching a movie. The way these things make it out to be, it's a sport.

Think about it; would you like to see a program of people watching TV?

Shagittarius @ Sep 13th 2007 12:30PM

MST3K FTW!

orAngeMicro @ Sep 14th 2007 5:08AM

beavis and butthead watching music videos kicked ass

Shiro @ Sep 14th 2007 6:49AM

Someone has never seen the StarCraft tournaments in Korea.

Ratchet the Lombax @ Sep 13th 2007 8:46AM

I very rarely watch real sports on TV since they really don't interest me unless I am actually playing said sport. So I am sure as heck not going to watch a bunch of people play video games on TV.

Jerk Face @ Sep 13th 2007 8:54AM

Word.

Neon Jebus @ Sep 13th 2007 8:55AM

First FASA now this? Makes a fella not want to get out of bed...

dsub @ Sep 13th 2007 9:05AM

I agree. I always found video game competitions to be rather lame. I really can't stand being around people that are "competitive gamers" as it usually takes the fun out of anything because they are usually elitist turds who do nothing but gloat.

OnimushaSoki @ Sep 13th 2007 9:31AM

I feel slightly the same -- but that's only because I've seen a couple FPS and sports game competitions as of late that were filled with the "elitist turds" you aformentioned. Granted, I was expecting the showboating and jeering during the sports one(hell, it's half the fun... especially if you're allowed to sport your team's jersey or kit. ;D)... but the FPS ones? Eff-that.

However... in comparison to the numerous Fighting Game Tournaments (SFIII, various KOFs, Virtua Fighter/Fighters Megamix, Tekken, Smash Bros); those usually ran pretty smoothly played and respectful. Hell, it was more exciting to watch, IMO.

Truepatriot @ Sep 13th 2007 9:05AM

"Maybe that could be part of the problem?"

another part of the problem is that no mainstream gaming blogs or sites(the joystiqs, kotakus, igns, gamespots, etc.) dont ever cover any events or even tell people where they are.im not into esports or whatever but when gaming sites dont even mention some of the bigger esport events it doesnt help.

Matt B (SDF - White Gold Ring) @ Sep 13th 2007 9:20AM

What is f4tal1ty or whatever going to do now?

Ratchet the Lombax @ Sep 13th 2007 9:24AM

Get a real job? :)

Matt B (SDF - White Gold Ring) @ Sep 13th 2007 11:00AM

My guess is that he will move to China and become a WOW gold farmer.

modified @ Sep 13th 2007 9:40AM

Another problem is most games don't allow multiple spectator cams in the game. Could you watch any major sporting event on TV from one angle?

Ghaleon @ Sep 13th 2007 10:04AM

Maybe it's because the games they were playing were more boring than watching grass grow. WOW TOURNEY OMG.

elmersglue @ Sep 13th 2007 10:16AM

I didnt even know there was a world series of videogames. Maybe thats part of the problem...

Sean @ Sep 13th 2007 10:28AM

CBS is for old people.

Donald @ Sep 13th 2007 10:33AM

My affiliate never ran the damn things, so that's my excuse.

X_Arre @ Sep 13th 2007 10:48AM

Smashbros Tournaments are actually enjoyable to watch. Maybe other fighting games as well. But a shooter? YAWN FEST

Decel @ Sep 13th 2007 11:03AM

In Korea they have channels dedicated to pro gaming. I've seen StarCraft pro-level of play and it's actually very entertaining.

I don't see why watching pro-level of gaming is not feasible(sp?) financially.

Granted, I was an SC freak since release all the way up to '03...

Ska Oreo @ Sep 13th 2007 11:26AM

Knew this was happening. Honestly it was a very stupid idea.

tactics @ Sep 13th 2007 11:28AM

i watched it. fast forwarded through 3/4 of it, but the guitar hero competition was actually pretty sweet.

-"superfan" tactics.

Harold @ Sep 13th 2007 11:34AM

They only aired one show and it was in June. The next one was supposed to be aired in November! That is a big problem. I watched the first on TV then wanted to see the second but had to wait many months even though the show was already recorded. This sucks, the Guitar Hero stuff was awesome.

Lurker28 @ Sep 13th 2007 11:41AM

I think one the biggest problem was how little advertising they did have; I never even heard when it was going to air or what games were going to be present. I do not believe neither CBS nor the World Series had a good marketing strategy.

Ken Seang @ Sep 13th 2007 12:20PM

I agree, I saw like no advertising on CBS and yea they need a new marketing team.

short_bus @ Sep 13th 2007 11:51AM

Does anyone know where you can download the broadcast of the CBS episode. I really want to watch the WoW 3v3 arena tourney. However, I was unable to find it anywhere.

Bangbang... @ Sep 13th 2007 12:04PM

This makes the world a better place. I always felt like given enough sit down time with a game, anyone could be pro gamer. but then again, im a hater lol;)

Bigsauce @ Sep 13th 2007 1:54PM

MLG FTW as usual.

xc7x @ Sep 14th 2007 3:00AM

this was expected,entertainment company running gaming outfit on tv channel that nobody watches :-D

Matt Z @ Sep 14th 2007 1:13PM

Does anyone even know when these were supposed to be on TV?

Cause I'm looking over old TV listings in the newspaper for the past 2 or 3 weeks...and there's nothing listed anything close to "World Series of Video Games" on there for any CBS affiliate where I live.