In an effort to attract more women to the gaming world, two new all-female events are being planned for the subtly titled 2004 ATI/AMD Cyber X Games: Windows XP Championships. Obviously sponsored by Microsoft, the Windows XP Female Pro Gaming Quake 3 Competition and the Windows XP Female Counter-Strike Team Event will take place at the CES trade show in Las Vegas from January 8 to 11.

　　The matches, which have a combined pot of $20,000, are two of the first major cash-prize game competitions held specifically for female gamers. Microsoft and Cyber X organizers are playing up their innovative nature, hailing the tournaments as "a historic event." "With the ATI/AMD Cyber X Games: Windows XP Championships, we'll have an opportunity to recognize and further support the growing number of women gamers playing on Windows," said Susan Kittleson, Windows Gaming product manager.

　　Those wishing to compete in the Female Pro Gaming Quake 3 Competition, the Female Counter-Strike Team Event, or any other tournament can register on the Cyber X Games Web site. Gamers who register for the all-female events before December 31 will receive a 50 percent discount from Microsoft.