2005 WCG games announced

It's time to start training with a healthy marathon session of Halo 2 as the 2005 World Cyber Games events have been officially announced. The tournament that brings gamers from around the world together in good-natured competition will hold its finals in Singapore this coming November. This year, the World Cyber Games Committee expects more than 800 participants from 70 countries.

This year's games are PC titles StarCraft: Brood War, Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, Counter-Strike: Source, FIFA 2005, Need for Speed: Underground 2, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, and Xbox titles Halo 2 and Dead or Alive Ultimate. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War and Dead or Alive Ultimate replace Unreal Tournament 2004 for the PC and Project Gotham Racing 2 for the Xbox this year.

Last year's finals took place in San Francisco's Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and saw more than 30,000 fans attend over the duration of play. In addition to respect among gaming's elite, more than $400,000 was given to winners of the events, and with the growing popularity of the WCG and more sponsors signing on each year, gamers can expect at least that amount to be given away this year.

At last year's WCG, the Netherlands took home three of the eight gold medals to lead all countries in first-place finishes, while South Korea nabbed six medals to win the highest medal count. The host country didn't disappoint and took third place by grabbing three medals. Team 3D won the coveted bragging rights as champions of the Counter-Strike competition by defeating Denmark in a thrilling triple-overtime match before 5,000 fans. Matthew Leto defended his Halo title by dominating the Xbox first-person shooter event, while fellow American Dave Walsh shot his way to the bronze.