Bets are on for online gamers
DALLAS, Texas (AP) -- The stakes just got raised for online PC gamers.
Players 18 years and older will soon be able to bet against foes while competing online in the World War II action game "Return to Castle Wolfenstein."
It's part of a deal between YouPlayGames and two Texas companies -- Even Balance, Inc. of Houston and Id Software, Inc. of Mesquite. Other online multiplayer games could be added later.
After registering with YouPlayGames, gamers can place wagers ranging from a few cents to a few dollars. Kill or injure an opponent and win that amount. Get killed or hurt and lose the cash.
No money limits have been set, but that could change, said YouPlayGames creator Chris Grove.
"If two players want to play a game for $100 a life, then we'll open up a server for that," he said.
The service will also let gamers cap how much money they can lose in a 24-hour period.
YouPlayGames' system, now in beta-testing, should be released later this month. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands Antilles, just off the coast of Venezuela.
U.S. players in Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, Tennessee and Vermont won't be able to wager any money because of laws barring fee-based online gaming.
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