Legit -- (nonfiction), sample page:
The action was fast-paced and feverish. With sweat dripping down the forehead of the finalists, their hands clutched their controllers tightly while their fingers frantically whipped around. The locals were really into it at this point. Cheering loudly for each Bama kill, they groaned whenever Legit struck. If home field advantage had been the deciding factor, this day would have undoubtedly belonged to Bama.
Something interesting happened on that November day in Huntsville. As soon as the finals began, a transformation seemed to take place within Bryan. Sure, Bama was a solid player, not to mention the fact that he was three years older than Bryan. It didn’t matter, though, because Bryan had suddenly discovered the true competitor within himself. He was in a total zone, blowing away the competition. The crowd sitting behind him, the giant television sets, the uncomfortable chair he was sitting in—none of it existed any longer. There was only Legit, doing battle in the world of Halo—and in this world, he was James Bond, Indiana Jones and the Terminator all mixed in one. He was unstoppable.
The movements Bryan made on the TV screen were as real as the movements of his own body. The feeling was indescribable. When the dust settled, he had won by almost 30 kills. It was now official: Bryan was different—he clearly had a gift. Although this was just a small local tournament, it marked the beginning of a new chapter in the life of Bryan Rizzo, AKA Legit. He had entered an unknown competition, dealt with the pressure, and met a huge challenge.
As if Bryan wasn’t stoked already, things were about to get even better. He was called up to the podium for the trophy presentation. The flashes from the cameras of local photographers were electrifying. Bryan was nervous and excited, but it was a feeling that he will always remember. “I’m a pretty normal and humble guy, but at that moment, I felt like a celebrity,” he recalls.
As the awards ceremony concluded, Bryan was presented with the winner’s check for $1,000. He was stunned. He had entered a tournament that had a five-dollar entry fee, and walked away with a thousand dollars!
The next day, after returning to Florida and going back to school, Bryan proudly showed his friends the check. They were absolutely blown away. He had always told people how much he loved Halo 2, and how important it was to him. His friends knew that he was good. Now, seeing the check in his hand, they were starting to realize that gaming could become more than just a hobby. Bryan realized the same thing. His victory in Huntsville led him to ponder the ultimate question: Am I good enough to go pro?
Something interesting happened on that November day in Huntsville. As soon as the finals began, a transformation seemed to take place within Bryan. Sure, Bama was a solid player, not to mention the fact that he was three years older than Bryan. It didn’t matter, though, because Bryan had suddenly discovered the true competitor within himself. He was in a total zone, blowing away the competition. The crowd sitting behind him, the giant television sets, the uncomfortable chair he was sitting in—none of it existed any longer. There was only Legit, doing battle in the world of Halo—and in this world, he was James Bond, Indiana Jones and the Terminator all mixed in one. He was unstoppable.
The movements Bryan made on the TV screen were as real as the movements of his own body. The feeling was indescribable. When the dust settled, he had won by almost 30 kills. It was now official: Bryan was different—he clearly had a gift. Although this was just a small local tournament, it marked the beginning of a new chapter in the life of Bryan Rizzo, AKA Legit. He had entered an unknown competition, dealt with the pressure, and met a huge challenge.
As if Bryan wasn’t stoked already, things were about to get even better. He was called up to the podium for the trophy presentation. The flashes from the cameras of local photographers were electrifying. Bryan was nervous and excited, but it was a feeling that he will always remember. “I’m a pretty normal and humble guy, but at that moment, I felt like a celebrity,” he recalls.
As the awards ceremony concluded, Bryan was presented with the winner’s check for $1,000. He was stunned. He had entered a tournament that had a five-dollar entry fee, and walked away with a thousand dollars!
The next day, after returning to Florida and going back to school, Bryan proudly showed his friends the check. They were absolutely blown away. He had always told people how much he loved Halo 2, and how important it was to him. His friends knew that he was good. Now, seeing the check in his hand, they were starting to realize that gaming could become more than just a hobby. Bryan realized the same thing. His victory in Huntsville led him to ponder the ultimate question: Am I good enough to go pro?