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With Groupies And Plenty Of Cash, They Are Kings Of The Virtual World

CHICAGO (CBS) -- They are one of the top teams in the Chicago area, but you won't find them sweating it out on the sidelines of a football field or a ball diamond.

As CBS 2's Vince Gerasole reports, this team competes in a virtual world--a group of young men, staring at a console, playing a video game for hours at a time.

"If I get good at something I just keep playing it," said Eric Wrona, one of the players on Team Evil Genius.

Their game of choice is Halo.

"In a typical week, I play about 40 hours, with a tournament, about 60," Wrona said.

Fellow Evil Genius Ryan Towey said: "Intelligence is a huge factor as well as communication with teammates."

And when it comes to Halo, they are masters, winners of five tournaments in a row and collecting $170,000.

They are now the odds-on favorites to take home the $1 million purse in the world championships next month.

For Towey, 25, that's enough money to quit his day job as a futures trader.

Wrona, 24, has made Halo a full-time career.

And, why not, the team is already sponsored by energy drinks and monitor manufacturers.

Researchers even study their biological reactions to the game.

"I burned 220 calories in 6 hours, and my heart rate goes up to 150," said Wrona.

For the next month they'll be practicing close to 70 hours a week, and studying recordings of their past games, with their fingers on the joystick, and their eyes on the prize.

Tens of thousands of fans turn out to watch these tournaments.

And in case you were wondering, the guys tell us they do have groupies, but they keep their distance to stay focused on their game.

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