Video games: Not just for geeks

Some 53 percent of American adults play video games, and a fifth of them play every day or almost every day, according to a 2008 study from the Pew Internet and American Life Project. Gaming is especially hot among young adults, with 81 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds saying they play, the study found.

Market researchers have marveled at what they call the "changing face" of gamers, who they say, on average, make more money, are better educated and are more social than their non-gaming counterparts. The average age of a player: 35, according to a 2008 industry report from business research firm IBISWorld.

LaVergerae Tyler, 39, said many people are taken aback to learn she's into video games, both because of her age and because she's a woman.

"It definitely opens up conversation," Tyler said. "You'd be surprised at people who come across as very serious personalities, but they have this flip-side to them, they're interested in logging in and blowing stuff up."

Tyler, who lives in Dolton, said playing video games--whether it's fishing, deciphering puzzles or killing zombies--helps her unwind after a long day at her finance job. An artist,
Tyler said she also feels "inspired" by the creativity that goes into developing games, from the story line to the music.

Resendiz also is drawn to the artistry of the video game industry.

When she's not playing, Resendiz draws video game characters and writes game reviews for the Female Gamers Alliance Network, an organization she founded four months ago because she "felt very alone" being the only girl among her gamer friends (it now has 1,500 members).
The 57.4 million women who play video games account for about half the gamer population, according to a January study from market research firm Packaged Facts.

"Since I was little, I've been very creative, and [video games] just gave me an extra do or where I can go in and develop my skills," Resendiz said.

Cashing in
Some gamers are cashing in on their hobby.

Justin Kats, a 20-year-old living in south suburban Lansing, said he won $30,000 playing Halo 3 at tournaments in 2008, his best year yet. His team, Final Boss, is ranked fourth this year in the Halo 3 standings in the pro circuit of Major League Gaming, the only professional video game league in the U.S., and plans to compete at the MLG National Championships in January for the $100,000 grand prize.

Kats, who plays under the gamer tag "fearitself," said he practices eight to 12 hours a day, usually playing Halo online from about 8 p.m. until 4 a.m. Still, he said he has a girlfriend, plays basketball with friends and is in a bowling league. In fact, Kats said, professional gamers often are athletes, defying the stereotype of the out-of-shape, anti-social loner.

"It has nothing to do with being big and strong, but all the professional video gamers are in shape," Kats said. "It all comes down to your mentality," as the pros have to be ultra-competitive.

Kats, who lives with his parents, isn't quite living the glamorous life of the video game rock stars who make hundreds of thousands of dollars. He said he eventually hopes to take college classes in graphic design to get into game or logo design, but for now playing video games "is better than a minimum-wage job."

Gamer Kelly Kelley, 21, said she supplements modest earnings from winning tournaments and LAN (local area network) events--about $5,000 per year--with a part-time job as a game adviser at video game retailer Game Stop. Kelley, who also co-hosts Pwndcast, a Lemont-based podcast about the gaming experience, wears her fandom with pride.

As the costumed crowds shuffled through the aisles at Wizard World's Chicago Comic-Con earlier this month, Kelley emerged from behind the video gaming booth where she was working and pointed to a white bandage around her ankle.

"I just got a tattoo of the Assassin's Creed logo!" she announced, referring to the action game.

Kelley said she would rather be inside meeting people from around the world through online gaming than go out partying with friends.

Gaming also shapes her romantic life.

"There's no way I could date a non-gamer," said Kelley, who was living in Chicago before moving to Florida two months ago to be with her boyfriend, whom she met at a Major League Gaming event. "It's what we do together."

Kelley said she isn't taken as seriously as men in competition, but she left Chicago Comic-Con undefeated playing Gears of War 2 and Halo 3--which sometimes meant going up against the kiddies.

"I played a 3-year-old yesterday," Kelley said during the convention. "Yeah, I beat the [bleep] out of him."

Bar bits
Who says you need to stay home to get your gaming fix? In addition to the multiple Chicago bars that host Wii or Guitar Hero nights, a few venues are putting video games at center stage--or at least giving them a permanent home.

Bull and Bear
431 N. Wells St.
Ask for the Xbox 360 table at this trendy downtown sports bar and you play on an overhead TV where your friends--and the rest of the bar--can watch. The video game "menu" includes Madden '09, NBA Live and Streetfighter 4. Or bring your own.
Plans are in the works to expand to other booths and add a PlayStation 3. Call ahead to reserve.

Hotel Sax
333 N. Dearborn St.
The sixth floor of the swanky hotel houses "The Studio," where gamers can lounge on cushions playing Xbox 360 on one of four flat-screens. There are more than 60 games available, plus an area for playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Use of the room is free--but it's for hotel guests only. Time to convince out-of-town friends to come for a visit.

The Ashland
2824 N. Ashland Ave.
This Lakeview "public house," as it calls itself on its Web site, always has Xbox 360 and Wii available for customers to play while they drink a microbrew. The bar also occasionally hosts video game release parties, and on special occasions breaks out the old Atari.