The Quick and the Cyberdead

But in the burgeoning universe of multiplayer gaming, it's not all blood and guts. Strategy games like WarBirds and Command & Conquer have inspired loyal followings, as have role-playing, Dungeons & Dragons-type adventures like Diablo.

One successful series of games, Ultima, is described by its creator, Richard Garriott, as a kinder, gentler ''shared experience.'' Accommodating thousands of participants worldwide, the Ultima Online website sets players in a fantasyland called Britannia, where they explore, work, and form lasting relationships. ''It's another living, breathing world for you to go live a life in,'' says Garriott. ''We want to connect people across the globe together in a meaningful way that won't happen with the Dooms and Quakes.''

Even more meaningful for some players is the promise of cash, prizes, and sponsorships. Total Entertainment Network (TEN), an online gaming service, recently launched the Professional Gamers' League, an NFL-style association that will award more than $250,000 in cash and prizes to multiplayer contest winners over the next year. ''The top players will be able to make a living playing computer games,'' says league spokesman Garth Chouteau.

Thresh isn't quitting his day job yet. He'll keep working at his game site in Berkeley until he can win enough to pay off his bills — or at least his Ferrari insurance. ''If it happens, it happens,'' he says. ''For now, I still play for fun.''

Big Game Hunting

Many titles can be played for free at their companies' websites, but broader communities are to be found at the pay-to-play services. After installing your preferred game, connect to one of these online gaming services via your ISP. Here are a few of the major ones to get you twitching:

Mplayer (www.mplayer.com) Free for basic service, $29.95 per year to be eligible for contests and rankings. Fast and intuitive, Mplayer makes online gaming (virtually) painless. A healthy mix of gamers also fosters a thriving online community.

Engage (www.engagegames.com) Usually $1.95 per hour, but the price may vary depending on your ISP. Good connections for AOL users and a healthy choice of games, but the clunky interface will limit your thrills.

TEN (www.ten.net) $1.95 per hour, or $19.95 a month for unlimited use. Contests make this the place for hardcore gaming enthusiasts to battle it out for fame and fortune. But newbies beware: The competition is ruthless.