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Hints for Planning a Network Gaming Marathon?

Posted by Cliff on from the huge-weekend-long-lan-parties dept.

Malfaetor asks: "Some friends and I are tentatively planning a public Network Gaming Marathon (LAN Party, except for an entire weekend) later this year, starting on a Friday night and ending the following Sunday afternoon. We've already acquired a file server and game servers, as well as did some testing on bandwidth usage of various games. We've also queried local hotels for available conference rooms, and thought about power consumption requirements, and so forth. I ask this of my fellow Slashdot readers: If you have ever hosted or attended a LAN party before, even if it was not of this scale, would you have any input (or horror stories!) that could help to ensure we have not overlooked anything? Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated!"

"We have prior experience with private weekend-long gaming parties (with 20-30 people) a handful of times per year at the homes of attendees, and usually they conclude with few problems. However, we are planning on this session being bigger and more public, hopefully upwards of 120 seats. Although we have experience with smaller gatherings, we generally know all attendees, and have little experience with larger, public gaming marathons.

What did you do for advertising? Is it more effective to reach the intended audience by advertising on the radio, TV, internet, or billboard? What can you do about the rare, unmanageable, lunatic gamer? How have you handled cheaters (aimbots, wall-hackers, etc.)? Have you brought in sponsors to help offset the cost? Has there been technical support for the non-tech savvy? If so, was it free, or included in the admission cost? There are other questions, but I'll stop there.".

4 of 439 comments (clear)

  1. Really good idea by nidarion · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Bring in some people who can network computers well. 99% of the problems with BYOB events aside from Power is getting all those different computer talking to each other on a LAN... neigh impossible in some cases. =)

    1. Re:Really good idea by retto · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Have one person assigned to be in charge of the network. Nothing is worse than having three or four people, that _kinda_ know what they are doing, all trying to do things their own way.

  2. Re:Cheaters and such by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    - don't let people without PCs in, unless you know them well.

    The best way to implement this is to provide ID badges. You can buy the packets/cords/clips in a kit at any office store for around $20 per 100. Then just print something official looking and stick them in each one. Tell people that they need this badge visible at all times to be readmitted. Trust me, all kinds of lowlifes show up when they know that there will be $$thousands of hardware laying around a single chaotic room.

  3. DHCP and BOFH by ebyrob · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Can't go wrong with that combination.

    Just make sure the BOFH has the nicest kit and plenty of beer.