Professional gaming, progaming, and competitive gaming are all blanket terms used to describe the competitive, organized, and often financially sponsored playing of games at a high level. Because the competitive scene varies from game to game, each game's competitive scene should have their own section below.

!Video Games

Professional gaming in the VideoGame scene is well established, and many teams and organizations have established popular brands with numerous sponsors dating back to ''VideoGame/{{Counter-Strike}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Quake}}'', ''[[VideoGame/StarCraftI Brood War]]'', and other classic games' roots.

Some of the more popular teams with multiple branches include:
* EvilGeniuses (With almost more sponsors than they have room to put on their twitter side bar)
* FnaticRaidCall
* CompLexityGaming
* QuanticGaming
* {{mousesports}}
* TeamDignitas
* SKGaming
* Incredible Miracle

!!Real Time Strategy

!!!''VideoGame/StarCraftI''
With player salaries ranging between $20000 and $200000 and games routinely broadcast over three television channels, ''Franchise/StarCraft'' is far and away the most glamorous form of professional gaming. The most noteworthy ''Franchise/StarCraft'' tournaments are organized under the Korean E-Sports Players' Association ([=KeSPA=]) in the form of the [[http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=75487 OSL]] and [[http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=75488 MSL]] individual competitions and the [[http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=75489 Proleague]] team competition.

Because ''Franchise/StarCraft'' has been played professionally since 2000, there have been lots of notable players, including:
* The Bonjwas (The indisputable best of their respective eras):
** Lim Yo-Hwan ("Boxer"). Also known as the "Emperor of Terran" or simply "The Emperor", it is said that "Every fan of ''Franchise/StarCraft'' is a fan of Lim Yo Hwan." Arguably the most prominent ''Franchise/StarCraft'' progamer, and widely considered the best player ever (relative to his time), Boxer has invented and popularized many of the tricks that modern players use today. Boxer is considered to be the player that brought competitive ''Franchise/StarCraft'' to prominence. Has since moved into ''VideoGame/StarCraftII'' play with his own team.
** Lee Yun-Yeol ("[=NaDa=]"). While Boxer was the Emperor, [=NaDa=] was the Genius. Holding the highest amount of gold medals to this day, his success is greater than Boxer's though he remains quite a bit less popular. NaDa's success came not so much from brilliant new tactics, but seemingly unstoppable execution of known strategies. Has since moved into ''VideoGame/StarCraftII'' play, under compLexity; now retired.
** Choi Yun-Sung ("Iloveoov"). Boxer's Protege, he came out onto the scene destroying everyone with a massive army of units. Nicknamed the "Cheater Terran" for being able to produce so many units (due to his impeccable macro, or production and economy management), he dominated the scene for quite some time.
** Ma Jae-Yoon ("sAviOr"). The Maestro dominated the universe for an entire year, and was a favourite against everyone. Winning four titles, his dominance was undisputed up until 2007. [[http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=125601 Was one of the players implicated in a matchfixing scandal in 2010]] that rocked the progaming scene and destroyed the reputations of many other pro-gamers, including Hwasin and [[FanNickname (Fake) Yellow]].
** Lee Young-Ho ("Flash"). Considered to be the "Final Bonjwa" of ''VideoGame/StarCraftI'', winning both the MSL and OSL in the same season, as well as leading his team, KT, over their perennial rivals SKT in the team league finals, Flash is considered to be the strongest player ever to emerge. He also holds, with Nada, the record for the most OSL and MSL victories (3 of each) and the overall highest ELO ever, 2443, as well as the longest winstreak for any player. In 2010, Flash was especially dominant, winning 2 [=OSLs=], 2 [=MSLs=], and the team league, while maintaining an 80%+ winrate, and defeating his rival Jaedong in the finals of 3 consecutive individual leagues. Has begun playing the second game with some success.

* Other current stars:
** Lee Jae-Dong ("Jaedong"). The top Zerg player of the era, he holds the 3rd most amount of titles for any modern player, behind Nada and Flash. Considered by many to be an "unofficial bonjwa" (ThereCanBeOnlyOne in an era). Is transitioning into SCII.
** Kim Taek-Yong ("Bisu"). The revolutionist who reversed the Zerg>Protoss imbalance for a short while, ending Savior's bonjwa run in the process. Bisu/Jaedong/Flash are seen as a sort of triumvirate, ruling the SC1 scene.

!!!''VideoGame/StarCraftII''
''[=StarCraft II=]'' is far more internationalized compared to the insular, [=KeSPA-controlled=] ''Brood War'' scene, with Koreans and "foreigners" (Western players) competing alongside and against each other in the same teams as well as in tournaments both inside and outside Korea, although Korean players continue to firmly dominate its highest tiers.\\
\\
The premier tournaments of the ''[=StarCraft II=]'' scene are the Korean [[http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/GOMTV_Global_Starcraft_II_League GOMTV Global StarCraft II League]] (GSL) and the [[http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/GOMTV_Global_Starcraft_II_Team_League GOMTV Global StarCraft II Team League]] (GSTL), with [=KeSPA's=] [[http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/Proleague Proleague]] gradually making the transition over from ''Brood War'' to ''[=StarCraft II=]'' and the [[http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/OnGameNet_StarLeague OnGameNet StarLeague]] (OSL) soon to follow as of June 2012. Major international events to watch out for include [[http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/MLG Major League Gaming]] (MLG), the [[http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/Intel_Extreme_Masters Intel Extreme Masters]] (IEM), [[http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/DreamHack DreamHack]], [[http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/Iron_Squid Iron Squid]], the [[http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/IGN_ProLeague IGN ProLeague]] (IPL), and the [[http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/North_American_Star_League North American Star League]] (NASL).


* Prominent teams:
** [=SlayerS=]: Remember Boxer from the previous section? This was his team. Emerging with a roar to win ''two'' GSTL titles in a row, [=SlayerS=] remained a powerful threat for other GSL teams, and were the first team to exceed oGs in GSL players. Unfortunately, due to embezzlement by the team's manager, it was disbanded on November 2012. A good deal of the players went on to Axiom eSports, a team founded and sponsored by [[CynicalBrit TotalBiscuit.]] \\
\\
Notable members:
*** Boxer (Of course! Still a competitor, though a fairly mid-tier player, and is the primary coach of the team and talent finder)
*** MMA (Heir to the throne of Boxer, handpicked by the emperor after noticing his talent in ''Brood War''.)
*** Eve (First female [=SC2=] pro-gamer)
*** Alicia (Actually a male protoss player) Currently the SlayerS "Ace"
*** Ryung
*** Puzzle

** Old Generations (oGs): An ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin team, several old ''VideoGame/{{StarCraft|I}} Brood War'' players who have switched to ''VideoGame/StarCraftII'' have created this team. Formerly one of the highest rankest teams in the world, with many top-ranked players who regularly land in Code-S or get into the top 16 of the GSL, and formerly ''the'' strongest Korean team in the beginning. Was one of the first major, established teams to disband.\\
\\
Notable faces (Out of over ''15'' total members, 10 of which have gotten into the top 16 of the GSL at least once):
*** [=NaDa=] (Moved to compLexity; now retired)
*** Inca (GSL second place 2011)
*** Fin (AKA [=ForGG=] from the ''Brood War'' days; moved to Millennium)
*** MC (GSL winner, 2010 & 2011; now with Team SK Gaming)
*** Zenio (Moved to Liquid)
*** [=TheWinD=] (Coach)

** Prime: Once an inconsistently performing team notable primarily for losing sponsors, slumping ace players, a shrinking roster, and struggling just to keep itself afloat, Prime has transformed itself into a ruthless murder machine and one of the greatest threats in both the GSTL and the Korean ''VideoGame/StarCraftII'' scene as a whole in 2012. Runs [[http://primezzang.com/ an online fashion store]], with Prime's own players acting as its models.\\
\\
Notable members:
*** Gerrard (Coach, the other model besides MKP)
*** [=AnNyeong=] (Team captain)
*** [=MarineKing=] (Three-time GSL runner-up, two-time MLG champion, and main model)
*** [[http://i.imgur.com/UnnxU.jpg BBoong]]
*** Byun
*** Creator
*** Maru (The youngest player in the GSL as of June 2012 at only 14 years old)

** Team SCV Life (TSL): A team splintered off of Old Generations, founded by Lee Woon-Jae, a former coach for the now-disbanded ''Brood War'' team ''[=MBCGame=] HERO'', along with [=FruitDealer=], [=TricksteR=], Clide, and Happiness. A subject of a good deal of controversy surrounding the team's structuring and its coach, TSL is just as well-known for losing top-class talent as it is for cultivating it.\\
\\
Notable members:
*** Polt (Team captain, winner of the GSL Super Tournament)
*** Symbol
*** [=aLive=] (Former, now Fnatic)
*** Clide (Former, now [=SlayerS=])
*** [=FruitDealer=] (Former, now a ''LeagueOfLegends'' coach for [=StarTale=])
*** JYP (Former, now EG)
*** Killer (Also known as [=SangHo=] from ''Brood War''. Former, now [=compLexity=])
*** [=PuMa=] (Former, now EG)

** MVP: Not to be confused with the player Mvp, MVP is one of the more laid-back, easygoing ''VideoGame/StarCraftII'' teams out there. Formerly one of the weakest major teams in Korea, being held up in 2011's team leagues almost solely (if very well) by their ace player and possible deity [=DongRaeGu=], MVP has improved over time to become one that can hold its own against the cream of the crop with a more-than-respectable roster. Currently partnered with Meet Your Makers.\\
\\
Notable players:
*** [=DongRaeGu=], a.k.a. DRG (Captain)
*** Keen
*** Monster
*** Genius (Former, teamless as of June 2012)

** New Star [=HoSeo=] ([=NSHoSeo=]/NS호서): The dark horse team of ''VideoGame/StarCraftII'' in Korea. [=NSHoSeo=] lacks any true stars with the exception of Jjakji, but their well-balanced lineup has allowed them to achieve a good amount of success in team leagues, if not so much in individual ones. Sponsored by the Seoul [=HoSeo=] Technical College, the team's players are appropriately characterized by their highly intelligent, reactive play styles.\\
\\
Notable players:
*** Sage (Captain)
*** Freaky
*** Jjakji

** [=StarTale=] (ST): Headed by old Brood War legend and 3-time OSL champ Park Sung-Joon ([=JulyZerg=]), [=StarTale's=] culture of strong work ethic and discipline has allowed them to develop a formidable roster, spearheaded by nerdy Protoss monsters Squirtle and [=PartinG=] and backed by the Zerg Curious and Terran Bomber. This work ethic has paid off, as on November 18, [=PartinG=] won the Blizzard-sponsored Battle.net World Championship, officially claiming the title of "World's Best ''VideoGame/StarCraftII'' Player." In the meanwhile, the team is currently partnered with Quantic Gaming and has had problems with sock theft.\\
\\
Notable players:
*** July (Captain)
*** [=AcE=]
*** Bomber
*** Curious
*** [=PartinG=] (2012 world champion)
*** Squirtle

** [=ZeNEX=]: Created by a merger of the clans Zenith and [=NEX=], [=ZeNEX=] is a team that started out strong but fell far due to money issues: a [[http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=308715 desperate lack of sponsorship]] until early 2012 was responsible for a gradual exodus of the team's most skilled players. A partnership with and sponsor transfer from Team Legion helped improve the situation, and [=ZeNEX=] began to show signs of life with... Life... as their own 'ace' player.\\
\\
Notable players:
*** [=SuHoSin=] (Aka Line, Captain)
*** Life
*** EXTREME
*** [=CoCa=] (Former, now [=SlayerS=])
*** Genius (Former, moved to MVP and then became teamless as of June 2012)
*** Puzzle (Former, now [=SlayerS=])
*** [=TaeJa=] (Former, moved to [=SlayerS=] and now on Liquid)

** Incredible Miracle (LG-IM): A team formed in 2010 by a band of five ex-''Brood War'' pros. Chiefly notorious for its powerhouse duo of [=NesTea=] and Mvp, who have won ''seven out of fourteen'' GSL titles between themselves as of June 2012, succeeding in an extremely competitive environment where many players struggle to even continue to qualify, let alone win a single championship. Currently partnered with SK Gaming.\\
\\
Notable members:
*** [=LosirA=]
*** Mvp (Winner of ''4'' [=GSLs=)
*** [=NesTea=] (Winner of the other 3 [=GSLs=] and the "Nestea" award for [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XutGG7cuWpE 10 consecutive seasons]] in Code S!)
*** Fenix (A Peruvian, one of only two non-Koreans on a major Korean team)
*** [=GanZi=] (Moved to [=SlayerS=], now in [=compLexity=])

** Team Liquid (TLAF-Liquid`): Probably the most well-known foreign team, they regularly compete in the Korean GSL tournament, with a player in every season. Partner by association of [[http://www.teamliquid.net TeamLiquid.Net]], the most popular ''VideoGame/StarCraftII'' community website. They're partnered with team oGs in their team house in Korea until oGs's disbandment. Like oGs, many of their players come from ''Brood War'' roots: Nazgul, the leader, team captain, and founder of both the team and the website, was one of the most successful foreigner players in the dawn of ''Brood War'', once playing a televised match against ''Boxer'' in his prime. Ret and [=NoNy=] were also two of the strongest foreigners of the "3rd generation" ''Brood War'' era.\\
\\
Notable Members:
*** TLO
*** Jinro (Two-time Code-S semifinalist, ''still'' holds the title as "historically best-performing foreigner" with those two semifinals, when no other foreigner has yet to reach it even once)
*** [=HerO=]
*** Ret
*** Sheth (People still can't decide if he or [=WhiteRa=] is nicer)
*** [=NoNy=] (aka Tyler, who reverted his name to his ''Brood War'' gamertag)

* Prominent players:
** [=WhiteRa=]. He is a bit of an anomaly in the ''VideoGame/StarCraftII'' scene: he's not signed with any prominent team, he's married, he was [[CompetenceZone born in 1980]]. Known for "Special Tactics" (unconventional and sometimes downright-hilarious strategies), particularly his [[DropShip Warp Prism]] harrassment, for being an incredibly NiceGuy, and for being a FountainOfMemes, due to being Ukranian and having an imperfect command of English.
** Stephano (formerly team Millenium, now Evil Geniuses). A Zerg player hailing from France, Stephano is one of the youngest ''SC2'' players, born in '93. He is one of only ten people (as of June '12) to win more than $100,000 in tournaments, and the ''only'' non-Korean on that list. He is a CavalierCompetitor--MoneyDearBoy is his main objective, to finance his years in medical school after he retires--which leads to both NervesOfSteel and a record of "bad manners" decisions.
** [=IdrA=] (team Evil Geniuses). An American Zerg player with excellent macro and a strong late-game style (the exact opposite of what Zerg are supposed to be good at, which tells you how good ''he'' is). However, this style leaves him vulnerable to early "cheese" attacks, which highlights his other calling card: {{Rage Quit}}s.
** Grubby. Yes, ''the'' Grubby, the ''WarcraftIII'' Orc legend. Like [=WhiteRa=], he is a bit of an anomaly: after leaving Evil Geniuses during his ''Warcraft'' years, he struck out as an independent player. Currently, he plays Protoss at a high level, is married, and occasionally casts events, showing his excellent game knowledge compared to more traditional casters.

* Prominent Community Members:
** [[FanNickname Tastosis]] is the 'official' name for the "casting Archon" duo of '''Tasteless''' and '''Artosis'''. Rarely seen casting without the other (hence the Archon part[[hottip:*:In-game, an "Archon" is a unit created when two High Templar undergo a FusionDance]]), the two are veterans from the ''Brood War'' era as both players and commentators. They serve as the golden example of a caster combo; currently, they are commentating in English for the GSL and living in Korea. Tasteless, the older brother of DayNine, is a more private individual than Artosis, and is the play-by-play component of the team. Meanwhile, Artosis the analyst hosts "The Artosis Hour", is a pillar of the most popular ''StarCraft'' podcast ''State of the Game'', and is the father of a baby girl.
** '''Creator/HuskyStarcraft''' is a shoutcaster who does commentary at live tournaments and of user-submitted matches on his Website/YouTube channel, which has more subscribers than any other ''VideoGame/StarCraftII''-oriented channel. While he quite clearly loves ''VideoGame/StarCraft'', he claims that his play is not the best (by which we mean, he's "only" in Master League, the top 2% of the region). One funny series of videos on his channel is a best-of-3 match between him and professional player Spanishiwa; Husky lost, despite piling handicaps on his opponent.
** '''DayNine''' is a commentator and educator. In addition to casting at competitions, he runs a web-TV show, the "Day[9] Daily, [[CatchPhrase where we learn to be a better gamer]]," in which he evaluates current play and highlights new trends in the ''VideoGame/StarCraftII'' metagame. He is the younger brother of Tasteless, and played competitively during the ''Brood War'' days; he has three "[[SockPuppet smurf]]" accounts which are all in the Grandmaster league.

!! Fighting Games

See: UsefulNotes/FightingGame
----