A LAN party is an bring-your-own-computer event where gamers gather to play games over a local area network, or LAN.

Our LAN events feature a mix of gaming tournaments and freeplay. Attendees are free to participate is either or both—after all, it's your LAN party, we just host it!

The advantage of LAN gaming is that it is lag-free. While server connection and latency issues may regularly plague the online experience, gaming over a high-speed network is free of such disruptions. In addition, files that would otherwise take days or hours to download can be transferred in as little as minutes.

However, as great as a seamless gaming experience may be, it is the social aspect of LAN parties is what keeps people coming back. LAN Parties are great places to meet other gamers, catch up with the latest gear and games, show off your gaming skills, pick up some tips and tricks and game until you drop.

More than just non-stop orgies of gaming goodness, LAN parties are fun-filled events complete with tournaments, prizes, contests and special events!

The answer to this question depends on what's new, what's hot and what our attendees are playing. The majority of our attendees prefer to play First Person Shooters (FPS), although there are some that also play Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games.

Some Examples:

• Counter-Strike: Source
• Battlefield 2
• Company of Heroes
• Battlefield 2142
• Unreal Tournament 2004
• Flatout 2
• WarHammer 40,000 - Dawn of War: Dark Crusade
• F.E.A.R.
• Call of Duty 2
• Quake 4
• Quake 3
• Command and Conquer - Generals: Zero Hour
• FarCry
• Enemy Territory
• Warsow

PC - Your ethernet-equipped gaming PC. A network or ethernet card is absolutely essential to connect to the network. Most, if not all, systems built in the last few years have built-in ethernet. Another concern is system requirements. Make sure your PC is capable of running the games you plan on playing beforehand.

Keyboard

Mouse

Mouse pad - Probably the most forgotten piece of essential gear.

Headphones - These are a must as speakers are not allowed. Try imagining a room filled with 80-250 games all using speakers and you'll see why.

Game discs or images - Whether you are old school and carry your games on CD/DVD or use disc images stored on your hard drive, you need to bring the games you intend to play.

Network cable - In order to connect to the network you're going to need a standard Cat5 or Cat6 ethernet cable with RJ45 connectors on both ends. These are readily available at most computer stores as well as places like Best Buy and even Wal-Mart. We recommend 15' - 25' long cables because it can sometimes be a long ways to the nearest network switch.

Power cords - It seems like a no-brainer, but it happens. People forget the basic necessities, like power cords. Don't let this be you!

Of course there are rules, but they are pretty simple:

Be cool to others - This is pretty simple, treat others the way you'd like to be treated. LAN parties are a luv thang--check the hate at the door. We've yet to have a problem and we don't want to start now.

Don't wreck stuff - This goes along with the rule above. Alot of folks have some pretty nice systems, feel free to drool over them, but not on them please. Respecting property is key. Again, we've never had a problem, but it still needs to be said.

Keep the potty mouth words to a minimum, please - Occasionally we get a few youngins in the house so we ask that you please respect virgin ears. We realize that people get excited while gaming and express that vocally and that's cool, but just try to keep it the cussing to a minimum, that's all.

No sharing or viewing of porn - Aside from scarring the aforementioned youngins for life with naughty pics and vids, you gotta admit it's creepy when dudes with computers get together just to watch porn. Plus, chicks don't dig it...well, most don't anyway.