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Looking to host a LAN party this summer, figured I'd make a guide to holding one. Open to suggestions, will try my best to keep thread clean and updated.
Equipment:
Team Fortress 2
Unreal Tournament 3. ($9.99 on steam!)
Provisions:
Pizza is usually a great value (Little Ceasars, Cosco), or something you can make in large quantities. Sloppy joes are always good, but not something you can take a bit of inbetween respawns without Destroying your keyboard/mouse.
Floor layout templates:
Special thanks to the following for their contributions and advice
SchmoSalt
BakerMan1971
Equipment:
- Power cords + Surge Protectors/Power Strips
- 24 port Switch. (Gigabit optional if network transfer is needed)
- Cat 5e or 6 Ethernet cables. Plenty long, no kinks or knots, and always bring backups.
- Hardware Firewall if your worried about torrenting or bandwidth hogging.
- Flash drives/External HDDs (File Server potentially if you have the Horsepower for it?)
- Tables and chairs. Comfort is important when sitting for extended periods of time.
Team Fortress 2
Unreal Tournament 3. ($9.99 on steam!)
Provisions:
Pizza is usually a great value (Little Ceasars, Cosco), or something you can make in large quantities. Sloppy joes are always good, but not something you can take a bit of inbetween respawns without Destroying your keyboard/mouse.
Floor layout templates:
- Conference tables have been suggested. depending on your turnout, having everybody in a line, or spread out across a few long tables can be efficient.
- Cable routing; Cables are a tripping hazard, velcro strips help keep cables bundled together
and make it more efficient to move. Also cover up any wires running across the floor,
the last thing you need is someone tripping over a cable and taking the 2 4 port gigabit
switch down, or worse, hurting themselves. - It also never hurts to have a diagram of the room(s) you'll be in, and drawing out where everything will be; Computers, switches, cable runs, players, snacks, outlets, ect. ect.
- No excessive swearing. (We've all accidentally stuck ourselves in Halo, it happens...)
- Be courteous to fellow gamers, and be good sports. Also, remember that much of the equipment will not be yours, so be respectful.
- You are responsible for your own stuff. (Tags, security locks, ect ect.)
- If there is a cost incurred with the space, food, drinks, ect, make sure it is spelled out who pays for what. i.e host, guests, sponsors(Larger parties).
- Some form of written agreement to follow the rules, or risk being expelled from the party.
- All guests must sign showing they accept the rules and responsibilities.
Special thanks to the following for their contributions and advice
SchmoSalt
BakerMan1971