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How hard is it to host a LAN?
1
#1
0 Frags +

I've been considering it for a while now and think I want to host a LAN, I have a space we could use with good internet, seating, and enough computers for production and hosting servers, but not enough to provide for people so it would have to be BYOC. It would most likely also have a prize pool with no buy in, nothing big but hopefully enough to entice teams to come. For people that have hosted them in the past what advice can you offer for me. Am I underestimating how much responsibility comes with a LAN?

I've been considering it for a while now and think I want to host a LAN, I have a space we could use with good internet, seating, and enough computers for production and hosting servers, but not enough to provide for people so it would have to be BYOC. It would most likely also have a prize pool with no buy in, nothing big but hopefully enough to entice teams to come. For people that have hosted them in the past what advice can you offer for me. Am I underestimating how much responsibility comes with a LAN?
2
#2
5 Frags +

michigan lan would be sick :3...

michigan lan would be sick :3...
3
#3
1 Frags +
rowpiecesmichigan lan would be sick :3...

It would be in Michigan, metro detroit.

[quote=rowpieces]michigan lan would be sick :3...[/quote]

It would be in Michigan, metro detroit.
4
#4
13 Frags +

Youre Probably understimating how hard it is, but if you are serious about it I'm sure its doable. Whether or not teams come would largely be up I location I imagine. Not that I have any experience.

Youre Probably understimating how hard it is, but if you are serious about it I'm sure its doable. Whether or not teams come would largely be up I location I imagine. Not that I have any experience.
5
#5
7 Frags +

Bruh
it's frustrating as hell but well worth it if you stick to it.
If you don't do well under pressure then you're better off getting a team of friends on help

Bruh
it's frustrating as hell but well worth it if you stick to it.
If you don't do well under pressure then you're better off getting a team of friends on help
6
#6
11 Frags +

1. Venue
2. Security
3. Good planning

Seem to be the most important things to keep in mind.

1. Venue
2. Security
3. Good planning

Seem to be the most important things to keep in mind.
7
#7
23 Frags +

location - being in a location that will guarantee at least 3-4 6man teams so there is some type of competition
hype - gathering enough interest from ppl here
timing - giving people enough time to plan trips, time off work, etc
infrastructure - this is the one people slip up the most and yes I'm looking at you GXL getting 1 kbps to my desktop was lame as fuck
pizza - you need pizza

location - being in a location that will guarantee at least 3-4 6man teams so there is some type of competition
hype - gathering enough interest from ppl here
timing - giving people enough time to plan trips, time off work, etc
infrastructure - this is the one people slip up the most and yes I'm looking at you GXL getting 1 kbps to my desktop was lame as fuck
pizza - you need pizza
8
#8
8 Frags +

In my experience of having hosted 2 LANs, the venue is the most important and hard one to figure out.
Before you start, though, you have to consider: What is your LAN supposed to be? A community event (the more teams the better, everyone is welcome) or an "eSports" event with 3-4 invite teams competing for a prizepool and a shitbunch of production.
If you do not aim for the ladder, it doesnt mean it can't be a successful LAN. You just have to make up for the absence of Top tier teams with athmosphere and an overall enjoyable LAN experience.

To answer your question: I think it is not too hard know-how-wise. It's simply a ton of work. But I am convinced anyone can host a LAN if he/she is passionate enough about it.

In my experience of having hosted 2 LANs, the venue is the most important and hard one to figure out.
Before you start, though, you have to consider: What is your LAN supposed to be? A community event (the more teams the better, everyone is welcome) or an "eSports" event with 3-4 invite teams competing for a prizepool and a shitbunch of production.
If you do not aim for the ladder, it doesnt mean it can't be a successful LAN. You just have to make up for the absence of Top tier teams with athmosphere and an overall enjoyable LAN experience.

To answer your question: I think it is not too hard know-how-wise. It's simply a ton of work. But I am convinced anyone can host a LAN if he/she is passionate enough about it.
9
#9
7 Frags +

based on the last couple making sure shdsteel makes it out seems pretty important ;)

based on the last couple making sure shdsteel makes it out seems pretty important ;)
10
#10
5 Frags +

You need to check how insurance for the event will work. The venue might cover it, but if in doubt get your ass covered.

If the space doesn't normally have as many computers as you might expect for the lan you need to ensure it can provide enough power safely. Also if extra cabling for power and networking is needed, you need to make sure that's handled by people who know what they're doing (which might be you, idk)

You need to check how insurance for the event will work. The venue might cover it, but if in doubt get your ass covered.

If the space doesn't normally have as many computers as you might expect for the lan you need to ensure it can provide enough power safely. Also if extra cabling for power and networking is needed, you need to make sure that's handled by people who know what they're doing (which might be you, idk)
11
#11
-1 Frags +
jomjom1. Venue
2. Security
3. Good planning

Seem to be the most important things to keep in mind.

why would you need security at a small tf2 lan???

I'll definitely make the trip down to michigan and bring Aurora if you host a lan Ben!

[quote=jomjom]1. Venue
2. Security
3. Good planning

Seem to be the most important things to keep in mind.[/quote]
why would you need security at a small tf2 lan???

I'll definitely make the trip down to michigan and bring Aurora if you host a lan Ben!
12
#12
1 Frags +

if theres enough advanced planning for me to get that week off i would absolutely show up

if theres enough advanced planning for me to get that week off i would absolutely show up
13
#13
1 Frags +

damn a lot of you are definitely overthinking this. he wants to put on a small community lan...

you need a space
you need power
you need desks
you need internet
you need food

security, and insurance???? lmao boys...

damn a lot of you are definitely overthinking this. he wants to put on a small community lan...

you need a space
you need power
you need desks
you need internet
you need food

security, and insurance???? lmao boys...
14
#14
4 Frags +
-protowhy would you need security at a small tf2 lan???

i would be very hesitant to bring my pc to an event i can't at least securely kensington my tower and monitor to

[quote=-proto]why would you need security at a small tf2 lan???[/quote]

i would be very hesitant to bring my pc to an event i can't at least securely kensington my tower and monitor to
15
#15
2 Frags +
gemm-protowhy would you need security at a small tf2 lan???
i would be very hesitant to bring my pc to an event i can't at least securely kensington my tower and monitor to

lmao you can cut those kensington cords with $5 wire cutters dog...

[quote=gemm][quote=-proto]why would you need security at a small tf2 lan???[/quote]

i would be very hesitant to bring my pc to an event i can't at least securely kensington my tower and monitor to[/quote]
lmao you can cut those kensington cords with $5 wire cutters dog...
16
#16
13 Frags +

to be fair this is america where anyone can file suit against anyone for anything. just have a simple liability waiver to sign for 18+ (or the parents sign for you kiddos) to turn in at the door that simply says the org/venue/organizer is not responsible for you or your shit. sign it or fuck off

"security" at GXL involved "hey what did you bring" me: "oh I brought a desktop, monitor, headphones, and about 500,000 cash" also me: "oh I lost the 500k, have you seen it?"

to be fair this is america where anyone can file suit against anyone for anything. just have a simple liability waiver to sign for 18+ (or the parents sign for you kiddos) to turn in at the door that simply says the org/venue/organizer is not responsible for you or your shit. sign it or fuck off

"security" at GXL involved "hey what did you bring" me: "oh I brought a desktop, monitor, headphones, and about 500,000 cash" also me: "oh I lost the 500k, have you seen it?"
17
#17
10 Frags +
-proto... insurance???? lmao boys...

You know nothing

[quote=-proto]... insurance???? lmao boys...[/quote]
You know nothing
18
#18
-8 Frags +
GentlemanJon-proto... insurance???? lmao boys...You know nothing

I know everything

[quote=GentlemanJon][quote=-proto]... insurance???? lmao boys...[/quote]
You know nothing[/quote]
I know everything
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