The X-Games have been a big comp on the BMX freestyle calendar for many years. With the Dew Tour going back to basically two stops for BMX, the importance of the X-Games are way up there. It's a way for the invited riders to try to make a living off of BMX because X-Games means TV and TV means sponsor deals. Paid sponsor deals. The courses for park and street have been released and look challenging. The best riders in the world will have some fun at the end of the month. Check one-two. 
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.