I just realized something about CAG/MAME gaming. It might be the last competition that's by and large amateur competition.
Yes, people have made some money here and there, but almost all of us have put more money into the hobby than we have received.
Until recently, we had college sports. That's no longer the case. The Olympics used to be amateur. That's no longer the case.
It used to be that I could say, "High score gamers", but Tetris has blown up to the point where some Tetris players are making decent money.
Same goes for speed running. Some of those players are making decent money.
In fact, as the world of competition becomes more and more professional, CAG/MAME gaming is becoming more and more amateur. It's over five years since Galaga score wars. It's been over five years since the big money Donkey Kong tournaments.
Having said that, there's something charming about the fact we're by and large an amateur competition. Why not embrace it? The largest amateur competition possibly in the world
