Well, you decide to end your LAN Party. I did. After 10 years, I have decided to walk away from the LAN scene. My decision though affects two events. StarCityLAN in Roanoke, VA and Lynchburg Area Gamers have been THE events in southwest and central Virginia since 2001. That is a lot of people that will not have these LANs anymore.
What would make someone call it quits? In my case, I am 10 years older now with a house and career. Other probably have families to deal with now. The age of the attendees is usually in the 20s anymore. I am sure they are finding it challenging to attend LAN Parites much less coordinate and make the shows happen.
Money is usually a concern too. If the LAN does not break even, there is a person that gets stuck with the bill. That does suck big time. Even though it is not usually a lot it does add up over time. In the ecomonic environment we are in, everyone is cutting back.
So what happens to the event? I would say in most cases, there are others to take on the responsiblities and the event will go on. In my case, I am walking away with it all. The event names, equipment, everything! 10 years of building up both events, I deserve to end it my way. If the event names stayed around, I wouldn't want to have it in my head about how those events are doing or what someone may be doing wrong with something that I built up. So it all ends with me unless there are some folks that will have the balls to step up and make their own event. I thought I would worry or have guilt that this would be the end of events in this area....but I truely am ready to walk away. I will still go to events, but I really won't care if others fill the void that LAG and SCL left.
What about the communites and friendships built? If friendships are meant to last, then they will no matter what the decision is. As for the communities, I do feel like I built the bridge between the two groups and was the cornerstone that kept it together. For whatever reason, there was always a rivialry between the two camps. I have no idea why but it has always been there. When I took over StarCityLAN a year ago, I brought the websites and forums together in to one. It is a risk to end an event and hope the community will stick together. It will fade over time, there is no doubt in that. Again, like friendships, if it is meant to last...it will.
Are people pissed or upset about the end of the events? I am sure there are some that feel that way. But till they have walked in these shoes for 10 years...they need to understand the decision and accept it. I am not interested in trying to make everyone feel alright with this. I hope people are upset about it and sad. It is an end of a rollercoaster era of gaming in our region.
If you decide to call it quits, definitely think it through. See if someone could take it over for you. Think about if you can let it go. It will be hard for most people, there was a reason that YOU did it for so long. Be ready for some people to be upset.. Make sure you thank your sponsors over the years. Thank everyone that helped you make it happen from those that helped with the setup to those that ran tourneys.
Finally.....HAVE A HUGE BLOWOUT FOR YOUR LAST EVENT! It does not have to have EVERYONE from the past there to game, but try to get the older folks out to at least stop by. I plan on that, by the end of the year.....it will be over. This is a big change for me to leave the LAN scene in terms of coordinating. I will be sticking around on this site and attending other events.
This ends....LAN Party 101.
