Video game tournament draws tens of thousands to Rogers Arena with more than $30 million to battle over

In case you didn't know, video games have become a big deal. So big, in fact, that one game has sold out Vancouver's Rogers Arena, for six straight days.

Tickets weren't cheap, either. As the Straight reported last March, passes for mid-week preliminary matches went for $125 while it cost $250 to attend the finals. It might sound like a lot to pay to watch someone else play a videogame, but tickets sold out the day they went on sale.

The International, as the tournament is known, began yesterday (August 20) and runs through to Saturday (August 25). With more than $30 million in prize money up for grabs, the stakes are higher than some professional sports championships.

What's all the fuss about? Dota 2, the sequel to Defense of the Ancients.

The free-to-play game by Valve Corporation is a little bit like suped-up, multi-team version of Capture the Flag. You protect your base while attempting to destroy a structure located at the centre of your opponent's headquarters.

At the time of writing, more than 25,000 people from around the world were watching the tournament's livestream that's broadcasting out of Vancouver's Rogers Arena on on SteamTV today. If you're curious, you can join them at steam.tv/dota2/.