World Series of Video Games draws pros

LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 17 (UPI) -- The World Series of Video Games in Louisville, Ky., had game enthusiasts wearing out their thumbs this weekend.

The event began Thursday and continued through Saturday at the Kentucky Explosion Center.

Presented by Intel and sponsored by Xbox 360, the pro tournament included 500 professional gamers who registered to vie for $110,000 in cash and prizes, the Louisville Courier-Journal said.

Louisville's v-games, founded by Matt Ringel, 36, are the first round of an international competition that will culminate in the crowning of world champions in a final event in November.

Enabling pros and amateur gamers to interact and compete was one of the major selling points of conducting the World Series in conjunction with the MillionManLan 5 -- a run by Louisville-based pro-gaming convention group Lanwar, the newspaper said.

Actor Stephen Baldwin -- the brother of Alec, William and Daniel -- signed copies of "Spirit Warriors," a graphic novel he created with Louisville-based artist Jeral Tidwell, Friday.

And reports were flying that Jessica Simpson came to watch her reported new beau, Jared Leto, and his band, 30 Seconds to Mars, play Friday.