This past year, there were plenty of stories that kept the community abuzz, and while it was filled with the natural ups and downs, it appears we've approached 2009 on a high note. In glancing back, I have discovered what I believe to be the top 10 eSports stories of 2008.

10. Dr. Pepper and MLG Bottle

Starting off our top ten is an announcement made in November by Dr. Pepper and Major League Gaming, of a national marketing campaign involving the branding of Tom "Tsquared" Taylor, of MLG Champion HALO team Str8 Rippin, on a new label for 20-ounce Dr. Pepper bottles. It is the first real-world and mainstream promotion of this magnitude to be launched involving a gaming star, and a great story for eSports fans.

Beginning in January 2009, approximately 175,000,000 bottles of Dr. Pepper will be produced featuring the new label with Tsquared, and will be distributed nationwide. Every bottle during the promotion will be a winner, and fans will be able to enter their codes online for chances to win many different prizes.

This announcement was also featured in the New York Times, and the full repercussions of this story will not even be known for some time. The envelope for eSports and the mainstream is being pushed slowly, and this story lands us in the brighter side of 2008.

9. ESPN + MLG

MLG makes a consecutive stop on the top 10 through their partnership with ESPN. Announced in January of 2008, ESPN and MLG entered a content agreement for their 2008 Pro Circuit.

Included in the deal was ESPN "as a primary outlet for news about MLG, providing extensive digital coverage of MLG’s 2008 Pro Circuit Competitions, including exclusive streamed matches, pro player interviews, and scores and stats. Additionally, MLG will host ESPN co-branded online video game tournaments."

With locking down the first two spots on the top ten, MLG has showcased an immensely positive outlook for the future of all-around gaming in the mainstream. With economic turmoil seemingly around every corner, MLG deals will provide an outlet to the mainstream culture not really before seen.

8. ESL to America

The Electronic Sports League has been a staple in European eSports events for years; establishing the Extreme Masters, WC3L, and the ESL Pro and Major Series.

While during the slow demise of CAL, many had hoped and pined for ESL to develop a division overseas. However, it wasn't until July of this year that they finally set sail across the Atlantic.

They quickly got to work, and over the course of five months, brought their Extreme Masters events to Los Angeles and Montreal, as well as hosting the US Continental Finals in Philadelphia.

ESL has brought another element to the scene, especially in North America, and made a tough 2008 a little more bearable for the hardcore eSport fan, allowing them to make the list at the #8 spot.

7. The CPL Saga

A list of eSports stories probably wouldn't be complete without a mention of the CPL in some form or another.

The CPL's rise to fame in the eSports world has only been overshadowed by the abysmal
descent that the league took in the end. Amid poor choices across games, business practices and clear mismanagement, they completely lost the faith of the community, and ceased operations as a result.

Despite the shortcomings and tarnished name, the CPL still made headlines with their
acquirement by an investment group based in the United Arab Emirates in August. The new management didn't keep quiet very long, announcing in October of a hiring phase, as well as the planning of events for 2009.

They weren't done there, as they purchased CAL through an all cash transaction, and are looking to begin a rebuilding process for the fallen properties. This action has them slotting in at #7.

6. ESWC Loses nVidia

Upon the fall of CGS and the financial times shaking the world, one of the storied and greatest organizations to occupy the sport have lost its major sponsor for their 2009 series of events.

Interpretation for this occurrence has seemingly brought all Nostradamus wannabees out of the woodwork. One side touts this as the future of eSports, blaming the death of CGS as a doomsday countdown for eSports as a whole; that the corporate world hasn't seen enough from eSports and doesn't see a future in it.

The other side of the coin pins this as a strictly financial decision in the economic times transpiring in America and worldwide. eSports, one would think, does not command enough attention or capital to garner support through such a rough patch that these corporations are feeling at the moment; so much so that the tightening of their budgets will leave some aspects of eSports on its own for a bit.

How this plays out will be anyone's guess, and while its complete impact cannot be fully gauged at the moment, the leaving of a former contributor has left their story in at #6.