Setting up a LAN party in Houston, TX

[GWARslave]

Hey I work at a computer store in Houston, TX called Axion Technologies and we're thinking about hosting LAN parties/events within our store. I'm trying to find out as much as I can about them since I'm the one that's the 'game expert' around here, altho I've never once been to a LAN party. Can someone help me out in setting one up or whatever? I know a few things but not a lot..thanks.

 

[bum_jcrules]

All ears... What did you have in mind and where have you looked for ideas? What do you think it involves?

etc?




Live near Toronto and like to game but you can't make it to Quakecon?
<A HREF="http://www.lanmash.com" target="_new"><b>LANMash2 is the same weekend 200+ gamers!</b></A>

 

[bum_jcrules]

I guess that you aren't that interested in help.



Live near Toronto and like to game but you can't make it to Quakecon?
<A HREF="http://www.lanmash.com" target="_new"><b>LANMash2 is the same weekend 200+ gamers!</b></A>

 

[GWARslave]

ahem, I do have other things to do besides work, and even then I actually have work to do. Anyways, we want to eventually make it as big as we can. I just need to know how things work. Do we charge people per hour or daily, does it depend on if it's an event or just a normal get together where people come in whenever? Should we have some computers handy in case some don't have their own computers to bring? And the games, are they supposed to have them installed on their own computers? And how do we choose what game is 'the game of the day' or whatever. Also, what kind of connection should we run, depending on how many players there are? That's all I can think of right now...

SuCk It TrEbEk!

 

[bum_jcrules]

First off... who is "we"? Do you have a link? Are you listed on all of the major LANParty sites? (I am just wondering...)

Are you a for profit or a nonprofit corporation? Are you a corp at all or just a bunch of guys that like to game together and now want to involve others like yourselves?

You can charge people. It is not unheard of. Most LANParties charge something because there are costs involved. Venue, power, security, prizes, etc.

Most LANs are BYOC, Bring Your Own Computer. You could have some for rent. That is one more hassle to deal with, but you can do it.

Unless you want to pay for all of the copies of the software, yes the gamers need to have the games installed on their own PCs. Now you could have a tournement area where you supply the systems and the games. That is what MML2, Million Man LAN 2, had it set up. This way you can keep track of everything. You don't have to worry about system variances if all of the systems are the same build. Cheating is basically eliminated. There are some other perks but there is also the cost of having a setup like that.

As for a connection, a simple network is all you need. No internet, no nothing. I played on a 8 system setup on a hub in a jungle city in Bolivia. So I would hope that Houston Texas is more technologically advanced than Guajara-Mirim Bolivia. You can make it as advanced or less advanced as you see fit, as your needs demand, or that your budget can support.



Live near Toronto and like to game but you can't make it to Quakecon?
<A HREF="http://www.lanmash.com" target="_new"><b>LANMash2 is the same weekend 200+ gamers!</b></A>

 

[GWARslave]

http://www.axiontech.com

We're a nationwide computer reseller thingy and yeah, we want to start hosting LAN events. I'll let the big man above me in on this info and see where I stand, thanks.

Phil

SuCk It TrEbEk!

 

[izdatboijesus]

Just Get A Server And A few Computers. Fast internet. nVidia Server Best.
And Then Have Them Pay Per Hour. then You Could Have Parties Every Friday or Somthing. One Pay For The Whole Night. And You HAve To Have The Best Games! Like Battlefield 2142 and Wolr Warcraft.

 

[bkiserx7]

better get in your delorian since this thread is almost 3 years old!

 

[izdatboijesus]

haha i didnt even notice that

 

[bkiserx7]

lol, it's cool; it was your first post. well, welcome to the forumz

 

[bkiserx7]

lol, it's cool; it was your first post. well, welcome to the forumz

 

[izdatboijesus]

thank you i was mjust looking for lan parties down here in houston. i cant find any. i will keep searching.

 

[bkiserx7]

for what game(s)?

 

[izdatboijesus]

mostly battlefield 2142. thats the game i like. but it doenst really matter what games.

 

[Guest]

your going to want a lot of FPs game. every once and a while you some people switch to strategy games such as AOE or STARCRAFT. halo is always a good choice for an fps as is counterstrike. you want to make sure the games you play are decently low spec so that everyone can play especialy those on laptops and underpowered machines.your going to want to start small at first. get a small group and get to know them its best to have friends and reliable people there that you trust fro later when the parties get bigger. ive been going to and hosting lan parties for 5 years now and i could help you if you would like. where is your store located and how big is it?

 

[itadakimasu]

Hey Gwar,

Do a cooperative w\ the people in Carrollton and i might come : )

yeah... and tell those guys to return my emails !!! you cant post job listings all over the internet and then not respond to a very qualified person !!!

 

[pr2thej]

Dude.....2003......