August 19, 2008 19:27

American teen quits school to play 'Guitar Hero'

16-year-old Blake Peebles wants a career out of it

An American teenager has dropped out of high school in order to become an expert at the video game Guitar Hero.

Blake Peebles, 16, quit his sophomore year at North Raleigh Christian Academy to concentrate on perfecting his game, which so far has seen him win prizes from gift certificates to gaming equipment and chicken sandwiches.

The Raleigh, North Carolina native’s parents hired a tutor and allowed their son to drop out of school after he wore them down with his complaints.

"We couldn't take the complaining anymore. He always told me that he thought school was a waste of time," his mother Hunter told The News & Observer.

Peebles hopes to get to professional-level gaming, which can see competitors earn from $25,000 to $80,000 per year, although the figure is usually at the lower end and sponsorship opportunities are rare for competitors who coming in any lower than first place.

--By our New York staff.
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