Xbox Tournaments app update adds buy-in tournaments and challenges

A new update launching for the Xbox Tournament app on Xbox 360 will add buy-in tournaments and challenges, allowing players to enter with their own cash, Virgin Gaming announced today.

The update also makes the app available in new territories outside of the U.K. and North America, including New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Mexico.

"Since launch, the Xbox Tournaments with Virgin Gaming app on Xbox has allowed us to bring engaging tournaments to a large and lively community that is eager to compete against fellow gamers for bragging rights and cash prizes," said co-founder of Virgin Gaming Zack Zeldin in a statement. "With this update, Xbox Live Gold subscribers are now able to prove their competitive prowess by pitting their skills against gamers from around the world to win cash and see who is truly the best."

According to a press statement, Virgin Gaming has given out almost $100,000 in cash prizes to gamers using the Xbox Tournaments app since it launched in April. The app allows players to search for and enter challenges and tournaments for various games directly through Xbox Live. The app's "Play and Go Tournaments" feature allows players to enter tournaments on a flexible schedule, taking part in convenience-based matches they can participate it on their own time.

Games currently utilizing the Xbox Tournaments app include EA Sports titles Madden NFL 13, FIFA 13, NHL 13, NBA 2K13 and Ubisoft's Far Cry 3. More titles including one-on-one match modes will be added to the service in the future.