Play-for-cash Game Service Launched

WarPath developer Groove Games is officially launching SkillGround, an online multiplayer gaming arena through which gamers can compete for real-world cash in skill-matched games. The service, which appears to be fully operational despite its December 1 launch, currently supports four games: shooters WarPath and Close Quarters Conflict, fighter Kung Fu: Deadly Arts, and L.A. Street Racing. Accounts come in two flavors, free and cash (annoyingly, both require Internet Explorer). The former simply allows users to download and play all four of the supported games for free, recreationally. Cash accounts have no explicit subscription fee, but require a monetary deposit from PayPal or some other payment source. Money from that cash pool is put at stake when going up against other players, and it allows users to in turn also win money, with prizes scaling proportionally to the players' skill rankings. Despite the modest initial game lineup, Groove Games plans to add additional games, including titles from third parties, on a continuing basis.