World Cyber Games, the Olympics of the gaming world, kickoff in Los Angeles

World Cyber Games kickoff in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — The Olympics of the video game world opened Thursday with gamers from 58 countries marching through the Los Angeles Convention Center holding their nations’ flags.

Over the next four days, more than 400 players will compete for more than $250,000 in prize money at the World Cyber Games Grand Final.

Players who previously qualified at regional competitions held across the globe will virtually face off in such games as “Guitar Hero 5,” ”Forza Motorsport 3,” ”FIFA 10,” ”Tekken 6″ and “Warcraft III.”

The tournament-style matchups are occurring along rows of monitors erected in a giant circular pattern inside a dimly lit hall at the convention center.