Dr Pepper becomes official drink of Major League Gaming

Although it's taken for granted that Mountain Dew is the major brand soda staking claim to the gamer demographic, Dr Pepper announced today it is the official beverage of the 2008 Major League Gaming Pro Circuit. The deal is a "cross-platform partnership" which includes a "Dr Pepper Ultimate Gaming House" at MLG events and a co-branded online collegiate gaming championship.

The Dr Pepper gaming house (an elaborate tent-like facility) will be present at every MLG event and includes various rooms "designed by premier gaming publishers" sporting the latest in gaming equipment. The house will also host pro-gamers and "high-profile entertainment and sports celebrities" to play against -- according to the press release -- "Dr Pepper fans." Do you have to bring a stack of Dr Pepper UPCs to prove allegiance or something?

The online collegiate gaming championship will identify the best college gamers (via migpro.com) in the country and they'll vie for an award of their own and a chance to attend the MLG Championship. If Dr Pepper gets traction off this deal we're expecting Team Fortress 2, CoD4 or Counter-Strike branded soda cans.