Since this is LANGaming.Net if figured that it is about time for us to have a section on how to host and organize a LAN party or event. Let me first give you some back ground on my experience. Since graduating high school in 1998, my friends and I have had LAN parties in my basement. Over time our group of about 5 or 6 grew to about 10-12. We gathered about every other week at that time. I started looking around for other gamers in my area and found an event called Fragstock. I posted about our group in the forums there and found my partner in LAN crime, Elwappo. His group had been gaming together for a lot long than mine and we eventually met up.
My basement was ground zero for the biggest LAN either of us had ever had. 26 gamers and their PCs filled my basement. This started the next series of on going events at my house, at least once a month. We realized that this was getting out of hand for a house to hold. Elwappo and I formed LAG or Lynchburg Area Gamers. LAG would host events every 6 weeks at a local hotel. In all, there were 17 events. We peaked around LAG 8 which was our biggest at about 75 total gamers. LAG had sponsors nearly every event in the beginning and as more and more event around the country started up, sponsors started to dwindle down. I stepped down from LAG at the end of the 17th event. So 10 years of LAN Party experience and LANGaming.Net prompted me to spread my knowledge. So this is LAN Party 101, as seen by BJ.
Obviously, if you Google this topic, you will find many sites and how-tos. I have yet to see anyone be totally honest about what you may see and experience over time with a LAN event. I am going to write a series of articles on this and yes, I will be generic and write this for the beginner down to folks that are currently looking for insight on how something should be handled.
I am going to throw the LAN (Local Area Network) term out the window and not explain what it is in technical terms and since a LAN is no longer really what it once was with the evolution of gaming and events. Basically, if you have consoles, PCs, or anyone wanting to play a game together in one place, which is what I designate as a LAN. Consoles have turned what LANs used to be, just PCs, in to a total gaming experience. I have even seen Magic the Gathering tournaments held at LANs now.
So let’s break it down….
A PC LAN is defined by two or more PCs networked together for gamers to play against one another in a multiplayer game. Internet is not always needed for a PC LAN to happen. Most games can be played without an internet connection or the need for gamers from the internet to play. World of Warcraft has also redefined a PC LAN when folks gather in one place to play online with others around the world, more like a LAN WAN.
Console LANs can go two ways; one console played by many or more than one console system linked. Halo and Gears of War are probably the most played at console LANs. Again, you don’t need internet as a requirement.
Next time, I will talk about where to host LANs.
