Games, money, museums and mayhem

Chris Barrie: Host of the Intel Masters tournament

Some keen computer gamers got an early Christmas present this weekend as they walked off with cash prizes at the Intel Masters gaming tournament.

The contest was held at London's Science Museum and pitted the UK's top teams, or clans, against each other for a share of the £25,000 prize money on offer.

In total 24 clans took each other on in three different games.

Host for the event was Chris Barrie, former star of the Red Dwarf television comedy.

Cash rewards

The event was organised by chip maker Intel and featured the UK clan 4 Kings that is sponsored by the technology giant.

The tournament was an unofficial test of whether Intel's sponsorship money was well spent.

All the 24 clans entering the competition competed in one of three mini-tournaments, each one arranged around a particular game.

Clans competed for top honours in Return to Castle Wolfestein, Counter-Strike and Warcraft III.

4 Kings took the title of master in the Return to Castle Wolfenstein tournament and in the final beat off a strong challenge from a clan called Lemmings to claim the £6000 top prize.

The final of the Counter Strike match saw Infinity e-Sports taking on and beating Clan One for the prize of £5000.

The third class, arranged around the Warcraft III game, was for individuals and the final featured Iain 'Tillerman' Girdwood Glasgow against Marty 'Pure Balls' Rome of Sunderland.

Mr Girdwood came out top in the strategy battle and took home £1000 for his trouble.

The tournament action was shown on the Science Museum's giant Imax screen and Mr Barrie provided commentary and comments throughout.