I had devoted a certain portion of my life to gaming. I wasn’t wasting my time. I was in training, learning my craft, and getting better and better. Why? Because I knew about the corporate competitions out there, where winners got serious cash rewards.

I worked part-time and lived in a one-bedroom apartment, but these were accommodations to my gaming life. I practiced hours every day, playing against people all over the globe. Online is its own universe, and virtually, I’d met wonderful, enriching folks.

But this year, things had gotten serious for me. I had entered a month-long competition, one with graduating tiers of play. The competitiveness was fierce, and I’d already gone up against very talented players. But I knew this particular game inside out and was advancing.

I kept myself up... Read More