Team Ben: A Year as a Professional Gamer

by Christopher K. Fabiszak

From cramped basements to Las Vegas hotels, follow the journey of a few competitive video game players as professional gaming gained momentum in the late 2000s. This story takes the reader through a formative time in the author’s life, focusing on the unlikely hobby that gave him new purpose in the wake of the murder of his best friend.

Super Smash Bros. Melee tournaments gained esteem and popularity on April 17, 2006, when Major League Gaming announced it would be televising its 2006-2007 season, along with a $10 million investment from Ritchie Capital. Gamers from across the United States and abroad suddenly began traveling for the chance to compete for sponsorships, prize money, and even minor fame.

This narrative includes anecdotes about the improbable introduction of video game players to mainstream competition, but also detours into the complex technical skill required to be successful. Readers will learn about split second timing, frame rates, and other subtleties that will forever color how you think about video games.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

94 pages, ebook

First published August 16, 2013

Reviews

[Vedran Karlić · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but sweet book that lacks bit more depth. It starts with a true story and one big tragedy (murder) that was a big part of authors life. Even after mentioning it few times, it never gives us conclusion on that part, I had to Google to find out a sentence for the guilty person.

On esport part, book talks about that one season when Melee has high before 2013 resurface. It talks about ideas, players, tournaments and even mechanics of that game. It was fun for me, but I can see why it's boring to others. Also, it's nice perspective, as the author never was a top guy. He was top echelon, but never best in this game.

Overall - very positive book and good esport read.

[Thomas Mira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good and sincere look at at the MLG 2006 year for the Smash Bros Melee community. Essential reading for those who watched The Smash Brothers documentary.

It’s more than just a story of a game. It’s about the effort so many put into a community

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

At turns tragic, exciting, and nostalgic, and deftly narrated throughout. An excellent companion to the documentary "The Smash Brothers" as well (not a book, but recommended nevertheless).

[Felicia]

For some reason, I have had this on my Kindle even though I have no interest in Super Smash Bros Melee and thus found it really boring, but it was a good night time read for making me fall asleep.

[Wiebe Borkent · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Very intimate and heartfelt read, and not too littered with technical gaming jargon.