Popularly called the Cyber Olympics, the games have attracted players from over 30 countries who will compete for $120,000 in prize money from December 5-9, in Korea. Unholy Alliance represent India thanks to their winning the National Games held here. They are to participate in two of the four games played at the event -- Quake III Arena (for individuals) and Half-Life Counter Strike (teams).

Leading the team is Dhruv Parpia. Currently working on his MCSE while running a cyber cafe, this 20-year old started video gaming at five. His teammates share the early addiction. Prashant R, Chennai-based student of engineering, finds it relaxing. "Gaming let's me do what I can't do in real life, like shooting off a couple of heads." 20-year old software engineer Shermon Britto is ranked India's No. 3 gamer, and plans to go professional after breaking into the world rankings. Ricky Kapur, on the other hand, develops games when he's not playing them.

Why did they decide to take part? For a lark, they say. Kawabonka, a gaming league, started it off by hosting a special server every night and inviting gamers to try their luck. Dhruv remembers the way his team dominated those games, prompting them to consider trying for the National Championships.

Moving from a free-for-all format to well-coordinated teamwork doesn't come easy though. There's a need for more strategy, speed and, most importantly, more aggression. The fact that they all come from different cities doesn't help either. Unlike most other participants abroad practicing on LANs, the Indian team practiced online for a year, moving to a LAN barely ten days ago. The difference between LAN and online gaming is substantial and, as Kapur puts it, "While we have never lost a match offline or online, playing abroad is altogether a different cup of tea."

For newbies dying to get into the action nonetheless, the team recommends kawabonka, clanbase, xsreality and shacknews.

While Dhruv and Pune-based Ram Balmur will team off in Counter Strike, Britto and Vivek Hapse will try their luck individually at Quake III. "The game requires a combination of planning, timing and physics," explains Vivek. "Especially physics, because one needs to use all these factors strategically." Britto adds that their chances of winning are modest. "'Fatality' and 'Zero4' are my most formidable opponents. They have hours of practice behind them, as well as corporate sponsorship."

All team members agree that the competition is tough, but believe that a lack of international exposure can actually be an advantage. "Players from other countries have a large amount of information about themselves available online. We are largely unseen, and are therefore the underdogs. They won't know what to expect," says Balmur.

Yes, the fascination for anything cyber has made sponsorships easier. No, the exercise is still far from cheap. "There are phone bills and hardware costs, not to mention travel expenses and accommodation," says Prashant.

None of that is important for the moment though. Nothing is, except winning. "Our families didn't ever expect our love of gaming to bring us accolades. But representing our country is reward enough," says Ricky Kapur.

So off they go into battle then, our brave countrymen. So what if it's virtual?



More Like This:
 -- Game Plan: Are you ready for Xbox?
 -- What gamers love? 10 most popular sites
 -- The truth about gaming
 -- Girls want to be gamers too
 -- Kill! Kill! Kill! The world of online gaming
 -- KBC spawns virtual clones
 -- Ten sites to indulge the gamer in you