Lan Location
Weather Forcast
Equipment
What you bring!
- Power strip
- A computer with games already installed
- Network card installed and configured for DHCP
- -If you have a network card but don't know how to set it up, let us know in advance. We'll hook you up. Network cable (at least 10 feet).
- -We can make you a cable for $5, just let us know ahead of time.
- Snacks and drinks recommended
- Headphones (all those speakers get pretty loud)
What we supply
- Tables and chairs
- 100MB Hubs and switches
- Dedicated game servers for
- -Quake 1, 2, 3 and 4 with various mods
- -Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
- -Return to Castle Wolfenstien/Enemy Territory
- -Serious Sam: The Second Encounter
- Software issues will be addressed at the LAN
- Dedicated file server with mods, maps, skins, models and patches for the above games.
- DHCP service - just plug in and go!
- Bathrooms
Schedule Time
The first step in planning a Lan party is to schedule a time. Whatever date you choose you should do so as early as possible to allow plenty of time for planning. Try to consider your audience and there respective schedule hitting the date that will accomadate the most people. It is wise to avoid major holidays unless your lan is specifically meant for a holiday (see theme). If you want to create a periodic lan party than choose a day of the month or year that does not have any other events going on. This will insure the most attendees. Do not procrastinate, set a date!
Location
Location can be a difficult dynamic. Private Lans, can be hosted at anyones house where there is adiquate space and power. This of course may entail that individuals bring tables, chairs and other equipment. Larger lans require more space and more facilities such as bathrooms, sleeping space. and a kitchen. If the location is a house, be sure to respect the host and boundaries of the lan. Do not wander off into anyones bedroom.
Scout out your location early, go to businesses and ask them if they have space available. You may have to rent a space. If you are lucky you can get a room for free. Get your best salesman to pitch the lan to the perspective host.
Location can be a factor in transportation as well as cost. Try to provide a place that is centrally located, provide maps. Traveling accomodations such as near by hotels should be listed. Posting signs in the nearby area to guide people to your lan is always a good idea.
Consider wether you will need outside internet access in deciding the location. If the sight is not all ready networked to the internet this will increase cost. It is our advice that internet access is the bane of Lan parties because it deters from participatio. About the only benifit to outside access is easy access to technical support and game patches (so plan ahead!).
Transportation
Car pooling is always a good idea. Make sure everyone gets home ok afterwards by insuring the last two peoples car will start before leaving.
Theme and Games
A central theme will encourage the participants to come, so choose somthing fun. Create a minimal list of games you will be playing and consider making decorations around the theme. Clearly state the theme of the Lan in your advertisements and banners. Provide links to latest game patches, and drivers.
Also consider machine architetures and do not revolve around a game that no one can play unless you have a very elite group of players who have very powerful machines. Instead pick a range of games that accomodates both older architectures and newer architectures
Ulimately the point is to have fun, if somthing isn't working drop it. Do not bang your head trying to get somthing working unless you can't live without it. Allowing for freedom in game choice during the lan is always a good idea, perhaps ordering of the games, or the games themself. The purpose of the theme is not to constrain but to accomodate planning ahead
Although you may stray from the theme a bit if you go to far away you may leave some participants feeling jillted. Cater to the masses but accomodate the minorites!
Advertising
Advertise according to budget and the amount of people you want to attend. Flyers, newspapers, radio and the internet are good venues. If you throw parties regularly you may want to establish a site such as this. You can also publish you lan nationally on such sites as blues news.
Cost
Cost is a big issue. We feel LAN parties should be a non profit event, but you still need to cover the cost of the room, power, internet, etc. Take donations or be sure to advertise the price of participation. Consider parents with minors when you advertise the fee. Let people know what the money is being used for. Will pizza be included in the price of the LAN?
Minors
Minors should be accompanied by an adult or have written permission to attend the LAN. The reason for this is the nature of the games played and game ratings. If you do bring your children do not expect other LAN goers to be a baby sitter. That being said we do welcome minors and children at our mtlan parties.
Security
Should you choose to share your hard drive on our networks, you do so at your own risk.
We take no responsibility for the theft, loss or corruption of any data which you might be sharing over our networks.
You are responsible for your own computer security. Likewise, you are also responsible for your own virus protection.
We take no responsibility for any malicious software, virus, worm, spyware, etc that you may or may not have contracted
while connected to our networks.
In short, by connecting to our networks, you accept that you do so entirely at your own risk.
Ethical Issues
Good LANManship
MtLaners have always shown good spirits and have encouraged each other to treat are fellow players with respect and good will. We do not believe subjugateing your fellow players to negative chat messages and trash talking your fellow players will help you get another frag. Instead we like to encourage are fellow players by letting them know you enjoy their competiton. Furthermore we encourage the sharing of strategies to the lesser experienced members.
Certain courtesies are often granted. When a player is facing a wall, it is poor LANManship to frag them just to up your count. Facing the wall indicates you are chatting or taking a breather. Us old players need to settle our hearts down and being fragged in the back while you are pissing really sucks!
If a player is abusing the right to face the wall or has been there for a long time you can request the server admin push them to spectator mode. It is fair game to frag a person in the back if they are moving. And please if you are going to camp do not face the wall for protection.
Encouragement will only bring back players so let em know when they get in a nice shot by messaging g1 (good one) or n1 (nice one). You may want to bind a few compliments to your keys so in the heat of battle you can get a quick message off. Remember to let em know at the end of the game that you had fun by saying gg. Try to avoid messages like, that sucked.
Spawn camping is a nix nay, and the bfg is generally considerd the gun for those with no skill. Camping a weapon or power up is also shady, but not easy with many players, your call on this one.
Early on camping had a bad reputation, but soon we realized somtimes this is just good strategy and some people have developed it into an art form.
Blurting out Rats or Darn is not considerd trash talk, somtimes you can't help it. At the same time throwing a fit because you get fragged will not make you any friends. Remember there is always someone who is better than you, but it is the player who is a good sport that is the most liked.
If your a newbie or can't seem to find your mark then practice, play someone who is close to your frag count. If you are always getting waxed by the same guy ask him for some advice, this is the best way to show you are progressing and soon people will stop calling you newb.
For those that have been playing until their fingers bleed the best way to compliment your skills is by giving us poor victims clues on how you do it. Do not drive someone into the ground, but do not play at less than your skill level either. In other words rather than frag them in the back with the rail because you can try giving them a warning shot.
Well that is all I have learned, playing with some good people. If you have some more input post it in the forum for us to review and I will update or ammend this section -- RiPSpinner
Piracy
Mtlaners.org, it's administrators, contributors, moderators, members and anyone else even remotely affiliated with the network, do not encourage nor condone the use, distribution or production of pirated software of any kind. We hold no opinion on the subject whatsoever. If while using one of our temporary networks, you distribute, produce or contribute to the use of pirated software, we will not report you, however, we will not protect you either. Should you choose to engage in the above mentioned activities while connected to our networks, you do so at your own risk. There may be those present who may take it upon themselves to turn you in (another act which we do not encourage nor condone) for such activities in which case, we take no responsibilities for your actions or for theirs.