Networking, Hollywood style, through Xbox Live

Lots of parents don't like their kids to play violent video games. Some are even more concerned about their kids playing Grand Theft Auto than they are about their kids watching porn or drinking beer.

But what they don't know is that video games may help their kids get jobs. As screenwriters. And agents.

Well, kind of. A group of young Hollywood execs started playing Gears of War together on Xbox Live so they wouldn't get mocked by teenagers who were better at the game than they were. They dubbed their group Nerd Poker, and it has grown to nearly 100 members. It also has led to networking opportunities (including some elusive Hollywood "meetings") between players who barely knew each other before they started blowing each others' heads off. See, Mom? Games are good for you.

You can check out the full story about Nerd Poker here.

-- Alana Semuels

Photo: From left, Nerd Poker founders Derek Douglas, Ben Fritz, Kevin Chang and Justin Marks. Credit: Ringo H.W. Chiu / For the Times