LAN parties are still very popular. But what should you consider at the big local network parties? Here you will find out.
What is a LAN party? LAN stands for “Local Area Network”. In contrast to the wireless “WLAN”, multiple PCs are connected via a LAN cable. Therefore, all devices must be in a manageable area, such as a garage or a hall.
Especially in the 90s and early 2000s, LAN parties were very popular, as there was no widespread fast internet. Players regularly transported their equipment in laundry baskets and moving boxes to gyms and garages to play together for days or exchange data.
However, doing this in the 90s was anything but easy, and connecting numerous PCs with the then common, arcane network protocols and T-shaped LAN cable adapters resembled a mystical summoning of cryptic machine spirits rather than understandable technology. But it was no use, people wanted to game together and somehow found a way. And when, after nights of gaming, one finally gathered their equipment and left the smelly hall, they were a true gamer hero.
5 tips for surviving any LAN
Today, there are powerful internet connections that allow almost every gamer to connect with like-minded individuals around the world without any issues. However, the charm of LAN parties is still strong, and such events continue to occur. The most prominent example in 2023 is the CAGGTUS in Leipzig, the largest LAN party in the country.
But what should you consider if you’re going to a LAN party for the first time or after a long absence? Here are a few useful tips and pieces of advice.
Here are all the details about the CAGGTUS gaming event (advertisement)Make sure to drink enough and have the right snacks
At a LAN party, you will likely stay for several days, usually a weekend, and spend most of your time at the computer. Therefore, it’s important to stock up on the right foods and drinks.
Popular drinks at LAN parties include coffee, cola, energy drinks, and beer. However, keep in mind that coffee particularly dehydrates you more than it rehydrates, so you should drink enough water or spritzers to stay properly hydrated and thus maintain your performance.
Also, don’t overdo it with energy drinks as they contain a lot of sugar, and if you drink too much beer, your attention will also wane. When it comes to food, make sure it’s easily accessible and won’t make a mess of your PC. Pizza, sandwiches, or trail mix are ideal snacks.
Also, plan to bring sufficient supplies to avoid being left without provisions late at night or on a Sunday when you can’t buy anything.
Watch your cables
When going to a LAN party, you should make sure that all your cables are there. Large hardware pieces like mice, keyboards, and monitors are rarely overlooked, but it’s easy to forget one of the power cables or misplace a special USB cable. Don’t forget to pack a LAN cable, or else the whole party won’t make much sense.
So count all your cables thoroughly and take spares just in case, to ensure that nothing goes wrong. Nothing ruins the party fun more than having to drive home to get a forgotten piece or having to buy it again at high prices.
And speaking of cables: also pay attention to how you lay them out. Especially the obligatory LAN cable should be secured as best as possible, just in case a clumsy party participant trips over it and brings your PC to disaster. The remaining cables should also be laid out as neatly as possible and possibly secured and organized with duct tape or cable ties. This makes dismantling easier and increases clarity.
Behave yourselves!
At a LAN party, you are not alone. Unlike at home in your cozy gamer nook, there are numerous other gamers here, and at large LANs like the CAGGTUS, there may even be hundreds of participants. So you are in a public space and should behave accordingly.
So if you keep getting shot in a shooter, resist the urge to loudly express your anger and frustration with wild curses and insults. People can hear you, and nothing is more annoying than someone constantly shouting around.
Other taboos involve other players’ computers. Don’t mess with their hardware without permission and ask if you’d like to take a closer look at a particularly nice piece. If the LAN party lasts several days, also pay attention to personal hygiene and plan to take a shower or similar when you take a break. Your fellow players will thank you.
Prepare your games
You’ve arrived at the LAN, have enough food with you, and all cables are carefully laid out. So it can get started, right? No, because you’ve forgotten to install the games planned for the party or to download the latest updates. If you’re lucky, the venue has a Wi-Fi network that you can use to catch up on installations.
If things go badly, the venue may not have internet access, and you might find yourself in a tricky situation. Even if you do have internet access and can download the game, there are sure to be plenty of other folks doing the same thing, causing the mighty internet bandwidth to dwindle to a sad trickle. So if you want to game in a timely manner, make sure you install and update all games before heading to the LAN.
Schedule downtime
No matter how fit and hardened you are, at some point your body will need a break. This can be delayed with energy drinks, coffee, and other methods, but eventually, it will be over. So that you don’t fall asleep from exhaustion in the middle of a match and annoy your fellow players, you should ensure that you have breaks in time.
Ideally, you have some pillows, blankets, or a sleeping bag with you and take a round of power napping. Alternatively, you can also shower or take a short walk around the block. A quick wash and some cold water on your face often do wonders too. All of this refreshes and revives you.
Also recommended: Feel free to leave the LAN for a few hours to get something to eat or explore the city where the event is taking place. All of this helps to keep a cool head.
So much for our tips and tricks for surviving any LAN party. If you want to hear amusing anecdotes about it, tune in to our podcast on the LAN topic.
