As video gaming has become more popular, some gamers have been playing very frequently, devoting enough time to gaming as if it was a job. In particular, online multiplayer games, such as the Counter-Strike series, have generated quite a number of energetic and devoted gamers. These gamers, who play online against other humans, have banded up in clans, which are groups of gamers that will meet up regularly and play together as a team. Some of these larger clans may play against each other at national and international levels. There are even referees in some of these semi-professional matches between clans.
Even more extreme are the gamers that actually treat gaming as a job and make money by competing in professional leagues. The professional leagues, such as the Cyberathlete Professional League and the Professional Gamers League, hand out cash prizes and even a Ferrari to winners of their tournaments. Professional gamers that compete in these leagues may spend up to 12 hours a day practicing to the point that they will admit their fingers are numb from too much gaming.