Monthly LAN event in Port Elizabeth

[Wesley]

So I work for a computer shop. Things quieten down during the autumn and winter months, and not a lot of people come to be convinced by me to part with their money. So I came up with the following idea:

1) Announce and advertise local LAN
2) Sponsor prizes, and fun stuff, host tournaments
3) ??????????
4) Profit!

I've heard that there are LAN events held in PE occassionally, but only in NMMU and only students there really hear about it. I'd like to twist my boss' arm to organise one in a relatively accessible area in Summerstrand or Newton Park for everyone to come and spend a weekend (Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday afternoon) gaming and having fun. Later on we might organise a basic overclocking event as well, just to teach youngsters about the art and how to get better at it. The overall idea will be thus:


Venue in Summerstrand for up to 30 players
Prizes awarded in tournaments and in a lucky draw
Food and drink available in the venue and in the shops nearby
Internet access for online play (major pain, but possible)
Safe parking
Big enough area to sleep in a sleeping bag
Small tech expo with products we sell, with specials and discounts for players
Games on sale as well (might take more hoop-jumping but we can do it)
There might be the possibility of competitions on consoles (GT5, Street Fighter, Unreal, Guitar Hero etc.)


I'll provide finer details and plans later, but this is what I've come up with in the span of five minutes. Any PE players interested? Participate in the poll and post your advice/suggestions.

www.ibayipc.co.za

[cov1e_stalker]

If you are able to organize this event soon , i'll bring 10 oaks from Grahamstown , if there is a cod4 tournament.
Try putting up a notice on the Do gaming website.
And to be honest , you will need a bit more space , cuz there will be dudes banging on the doors demanding to be let in if there are only 30 seats.

The Lans at Rhodes university have packed about 40 people into a 12 x 25 meter long room, the power may have failed... once or twice.
The people of the eastern cape have been deprived of a good Lans , we are in need. ( well mainly the Grahamstown people)

[Wesley]

If you are able to organize this event soon , i'll bring 10 oaks from Grahamstown , if there is a cod4 tournament.
Try putting up a notice on the Do gaming website.
And to be honest , you will need a bit more space , cuz there will be dudes banging on the doors demanding to be let in if there are only 30 seats.

Thanks for the advice. I've been trying to host something like this for a year now, and always get short-handed when my boss doesn't have funds to allocate for it and I have to bin the idea. But **** it, PE is in serious need of some help, and Grahamstown in a bad way as well. I know the Rhodes net is excellent for sharing files, but gaming is a bit of a pain.

I'll look into getting more space, but for now that's what I've got planned. I've got a 24 and 16-port D-Link switch in my storeroom as spares, and enough cabling for everything, but planning it is important - I need to get it right first time. I also have a server I can set aside as a possible DC++ host, but I'm not keen on going into too much detail for the first event. Also tables and bla bla bla - I can only imagine what the rAge guys go through every year.


The Lans at Rhodes university have packed about 40 people into a 12 x 25 meter long room, the power may have failed... once or twice.

That's my other concern which I hope I can figure out. Getting stable power to every computer is a must, and I need to have a method of testing if a PC will trip the grid before it ****s everything up. A single dedicated twin kettle plug will probably be handed out or sold for cheap if some don't have their own. This is another thing I need to get right - I can't have anyone be held responsible for a power outage and damaged caused therafter.

Assuming I can get the project off the ground, I'll also need to look into LAN games for team play. Obviously people need their own copies installed, but I need to decide what games shold be played for prize pools. I actually had an idea sprung on me by a friend - C&C, at least the older games, recently became abandonware and are now free to download and install. I'd love to have something retro like that for the younger players as well to get to grips with.

Also, I've never been involved in the logistics that have to be considered where games such as Starcraft are concerned. Everyone needs a battle.net account because there's no LAN play, and getting a decent internet connection where the venue is may be a problem. Stuff like Unreal, NFS, Street Fighter, Far Cry 2 and COD4 will come in handy here. I'm actually considering adding a free game to the ticket price - something everyone can install and play (Far Cry 2 is ridiculously cheap). But that's going to be pondered later, so we can scratch that idea for now.

Thoughts, anyone else? In two year's time, I'm aiming for this:

http://www.wikihow.com/images/8/8e/Lan-party-lan-arena-7-8032.jpg

[cov1e_stalker]

As long as you can provide an environment that can handle 40 or more PCs , a tournament (cod4 /SC2) to attract the good players and time it , so it happens during the school holidays for most schools and far away from Uni exams , the seats will fill themselves.
If you can secure sponsored prizes , it gives people a reason to come out and do battle !

Also Spam your message of Lan across many forums and contact the local Lan communities in PE , Gtown and east london.

[Darranged]

I may not do PC gaming anymore, but I'd dig to come watch a LAN with some buddies at least, we're way too starved of this entertainment here in good ol' PE. I'll try and spread some word.

[cov1e_stalker]

@Wesley
Don't forget about this idea for a Lan , oaks are still keen!

[Acinixys]

Will there be a entrance fee? (Im ok with it if there is)

Will there be someone to watch the PC's of people who are sleeping? Because i've been to LANs where there were some really, REALLY douchy guys who WILL steal your ****.

[Cranky]

Will there be a entrance fee? (Im ok with it if there is)

Will there be someone to watch the PC's of people who are sleeping? Because i've been to LANs where there were some really, REALLY douchy guys who WILL steal your ****.


most cases has a lock loop at the back .. use it .

and if you are really really scared pack your peripherals away leave your pc on ( copying or what ever ) and lock it. The ods of the oke switching it off at the back is very rare.

[bullet]

I've never played in a LAN, only watched a bit of the RAGE LAN last year and would love to participate in something like this, and I know my 2 son's and a couple of their freinds all aged 12 and 13 would love to also join if allowed. I also have a couple of gaming mates that I'm sure will be interested. I would even offer to help but my LANing knowledge is = 0.