Shoryuken.com Introduces $10,000 College Scholarship for Gamers

Fighting game website Shoryuken.com has promised a scholarship for students studying for a degree in game design. Website and EVO co-founder Tom Cannon explains...

"Having run these tournaments for nearly 20 years, I've seen first-hand that deep and positive impact the community around these games can have on young people's lives. I've watched lifelong bonds of friendship form out of competition, and seen my former competitors grow to run gaming related businesses of their own, find other industry jobs, and even create new games.
It's clear to me that it's the players that make fighting games so special. The top players are our heroes during competitions, but hundreds of thousands of competitors from around the world also use the game as an outlet to measure themselves, a reason to get up and out of the house, and meet amazing new friends in person, as well as online.
As prize pools grow and the top players get their well-deserved time in the spotlight, we also want to remember that it's the open, egalitarian nature of the fighting game scene, rooted in the personal connections inspired by arcades, that keeps it strong.To continue this great tradition, it's critical to support the next generation of players and help show that competitive gaming is not just a way to test yourself, earn great prizes, and connect with fellow players, it can also be a gateway to a fulfilling industry profession. To highlight this and pay-it-forward to the next generation of gamers, we are announcing an annual $10,000 scholarship for a student enrolled at an accredited university studying towards a degree in game design, game development, or computer science."

The scholarship will be primarily funded by pay-for-view profits from this year's EVO 2012 tournament. EVO (Evolution Championship Series) is THE annual video game tournament focusing primarily on fighting games. Contestants travel from all over the world to participate, with the winners taking home cash prizes. It was announced earlier this week that winners for this year's tournament would take home:

- $25,000 for Super Street Fighter IV, Arcade Edition 2012
- $23,000 for Mortal Kombat 9
- $15,000 Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
- $15,000 for Sega's Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown event (BYOC event)
- $11,000 King of Fighters XIII
- $9,000 Street Fighter X Tekken
- $5,000 Soul Calibur V

Cannon actually believes in the scholarship so strongly, that if the stream doesn't cover the costs, he'll pay for the scholarship out of his own pocket. More details on the scholarship are promised to be revealed in July.

Evo 2012 will be held July 6th to the 8th at Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.