Playing PC games and competing for money isn't exactly new. Usually, it means a tournament at a LAN party with a set number of prizes or signing up for an online tourney.

Now game developer Groove Games has officially launched SkillGround, a new online service that uses Groove-published games in a new way for people to play and win money in online matches every day.

Recently, the folks over at FiringSquad got a chance to chat with Groove Games CEO Jon Walsh. Read on for a few tidbits on the whole SkillGround service and what it has in store for gamers looking to have fun and make a buck in the world of online gaming.

What makes SkillGround different from other pay and skill style programs for video games? "First, our service is completely free. You don’t even have to buy the games or pay a subscription fee. Play as much as you want to for free. If you feel so inclined and want to put some skin in the game, create a cash account and challenge your peers to compete for cash prizes. It really gets your adrenaline pumping when there’s some prize money to compete for."

Cheating. What are you gonna do about it? "SkillGround's chief engineers each have over 10 years experience in online fraud prevention as well as online fairness provisioning. This experience coupled with advanced match monitoring provides excellent anti-fraud measures and protection for SkillGround’s players.

Of course, Walsh still kept some things a bit close to the vest, such as what titles are being considered for SkillGround integration. Right now, there are four Groove titles playable on the SkillGround service, but we expect that number to go up when SkillGround gains a foothold on the "play and win money" market.

For the full interview, click on the 'read' link below.

The Dutch company, Lighthouse Interactive, recently announced that they have acquired the European publishing rights to Groove Games sci-fi FPS offering, WarPath for the PC. Most people know by now that the game was developed by Digital Extremes, and that the game revolves around the Utopian and resources rich planet of Kaladi.

In the game, you must choose between three alien species: The Ohm, The Kovos, and The Coalition. Each group has conflicting agendas and ideologies and it is up to you to claim Kaladi for your race.

Anyhow, the game has been out in the U.S for some time now, and Lighthouse is bringing the game towards the other side of the Atlantic. WarPath is set to hit European retail stores in the first quarter of 2007. For now, here are the screenshots for you to consider.

   

PC gamers have a lot to rejoice about nowadays, what with the free game goodies they've been getting lately. Just yesterday we told you guys about the recently launched PCGZine -- the free e-magazine that deals exclusively with PC gaming. And now, Skillground has also announced that they'll be joining the freebie bandwagon too.

What are we talking about exactly? Well, the said company has just launched Skillground.com, where PC gamers all over the world can download real video games for free. And what's even cooler is that not only do you get to play with your friends (yeah-huh, multiplayer baybee!), you'll also get the chance to win moolah, dinero, benjamins, cash (whatever you wanna call it) just by playing!

SkillGround also offers a variety of multiplayer modes and games to choose from -- you want FPS, racing, fighting, sports, you name it, SkillGround's got it. Launch titles include WarPath, Close Quarters Conflict, L.A. Street Racing, and Kung Fu: Deadly Arts. All of these games have multiplayer modes, including the ability to challenge a single opponent to a head-to-head competition. As you've probably noticed, the games at SkillGround are not your casual games, they intend to bring you guys the real thing -- games that are highly comparable to the ones you can snatch off shelves.

So if you wanna get free games (who doesn't, right?!) and show off them impeccable skills, simply head over to SkillGround's website which you can access by clicking on the read link below. Have fun!