This website is a fresh attempt to help inform the public about LAN parties and other video gaming events around Australia, by providing comprehensive information about the hosts and their events. It is also an attempt to bring Aussie LAN parties and like-minded gaming events together, by providing a central website for organising events, and discussing their activities in general.

You can view a map of all known public LAN party groups/organisations in Australia, by clicking on the Map link at the top. Our new calendar page displays a monthly calendar of LAN events. We also have a forum board now available for viewing and posting to. Please read the rules before using the forums.

LAN Party Q&A

What is a 'LAN?'

The acronym 'LAN' stands for Local Area Network, which is a group of electronic devices that are often connected to each other via cables, known as 'Ethernet' cables, and 'switches'; they may also be connected wirelessly, using wireless communication adapters and/or devices. The 'LAN' acronym is often used to describe a LAN group or organisation, who provides a network for multiple electronic devices. The LAN Link Network is focused on the use of LANs for the purpose of entertainment through gaming.

What is a 'LAN Party' / 'LAN Event'?

A LAN Party involves people bringing their own electronic devices to a designated facility, linking them together through network devices and cables, and playing games either with or against each other across the resulting network. Depending on the style of a LAN party, games are played either casually, or in tournaments where prizes are often given out to the winners. Events typically use 'Personal Computer' systems (PCs) / desktop computers, but may also use laptops and video gaming consoles. These events are held in many kinds of facilities, including community halls and centres, school halls, recreation centres and gymnasiums, and churches.

Why go to a LAN Party?

If you are someone who likes to play computer games or video games, then a LAN party is definitely something to consider going to. You can play your favourite games with / against other players, meet up with friends, make new friends, and just have fun overall. When a LAN group supports it, people who are good at particular games will often participate in tournaments, with a chance of winning prizes. You may even win a "door prize" just for turning up to a LAN party!

How much does a LAN Party cost to go to?

It all depends upon the LAN party, as entry costs and other costs can vary widely. Overall, entry costs average $15, can be as high as $50, or can even be absolutely free. If you want to participate in tournaments provided by a LAN, this may come at an additional cost. You may be able to save money by pre-registering and/or pre-paying before going to an event. Please check each LAN party's website for its costs and payment methods, before going to an event.

Do LAN Parties offer food and drink?

Sometimes, food and drink is included in the entry cost of an event, or it may be an optional extra. Extra food and drink can usually be purchased while at LAN events. Historically, food and drink offered at LAN parties is mainly snack food related (e.g. chips, lollies, chocolate) and softdrink, so you may want to bring your own if you want to eat healthier. A small number of LANs cook healthier foods for their participants, either at extra cost, or included in the entry cost. Some LANs may not have any food or drink at all, in which case they may suggest that you to bring your own, or direct you to their local supermarket or shopping centre.

What should I bring to a LAN party?

Aside from money, food and drink, unless a LAN Party provides the games and equipment that you want to play on, you will need to bring your own along (BYO) to the event. Most LAN Parties are 'BYO', although some may provide games and equipment to a few people who ask for it.

For a PC LAN, 'equipment' means computers or laptops, and any devices that plug into them, such as a mouse, keyboard, and gamepad or joystick if necessary. For other types of events, or events that also host video games consoles, bring your own video games console (for a VGC, Xbox, Wii, or Playstation LAN), screens (TV or monitor), power cables, and signalling or data cables (RCA connector, Component video, HDMI, etc.). Note that you don't need to bring both a computer or laptop and video games console. In fact, some groups may not allow you to do this, so check first if you're thinking about bringing both along.

Some LANs may ask you to bring a power board and/or 'Ethernet' network cable (cat 5, cat 6), however most will (and should) provide these for you at the event. Check with the LAN group before you go.

If you are someone who gets sweaty a lot, consider bringing and using deoderant. Few LANs are lucky enough to have showers for use at their venue. If you are staying overnight and get sweaty, consider using a shower if it is available. Also consider bringing a fresh set of clothes to change into, before going to the event.

Some LAN parties go for more than one day, and their hosts may allow you to stay at the venue overnight. In this case, if you want to sleep overnight, you will need to bring sleeping gear, such as a pillow (at the very least), a sleeping bag, and a toothbrush / toothpaste.

What shouldn't I bring to a LAN party?

The following list is only a general guide of things that should not be brought to a LAN party or gaming event. Please check with the event's hosts if you are not sure.

• Any electrical appliance that uses a lot of electrical power, or would be likely to trip the electrical circuit of the venue (e.g. portable fridge freezer, heater, airconditioner or fan, UPS)
• Any electrical appliance that could cause a fire if left on (e.g. microwave, hair dryer, hair curling iron or straightener, toaster, waffle iron/maker)
• Any electrical appliance or object that could cause injury or death (e.g. saw, tool, weapon)
• Any electrical applicance or object that could be a nuisance to other people (e.g. drone, toy weapon)
• Illegal drugs and other illicit substances
• Pornographic material

The following list is a general guide of things that may or may not be allowed. Again, please check with the people hosting the event if you are not sure.

• Cameras (e.g. video camera, still cameras)
• Images taken from mobile phones or tablets
• Nerf guns and other similar toys
• 3D, inkjet and laser printers
• Speakers / sound systems (headphones often preferred), extra TVs or monitors
• Alcohol

What should I do before going to a LAN party?

Are you going to take a PC or laptop? Check the following list:

• Do a scan for viruses on your computer's internal drives. Make sure that you have an up-to-date anti-virus program installed. It would be bad for you to give other people a computer virus.
• Download and install as many updates to your computer's operating system as possible. This will help to protect your system against malware, and reduce the chances of a computer virus spreading across the LAN, should anyone have a virus on their computer system.
• Backup any data on your computer's internal drives that you consider to be important to you, preferrably to an external device or media, such as a USB Drive, or CD-RW. Malware or a power outage could cause data corruption.
• Do your games use a games client, such as Steam, Origin, or Uplay? Make sure that you update the game client prior to the event. If the LAN or gaming event that you go to does not have Internet access, you may need to change it to 'Offline' mode before you leave for the event.

Taking a video games console? Check this list:

• Download and install updates for your video game console's operating system, if any exist.
• Consider engraving your name and contact number into the base or side of your video game console. If your console is lost or stolen, it increases the chances that you will get it back.
• Make sure that controllers using battery packs have their batteries charged up before you leave for the event. If you have a spare battery pack, consider fully charging and taking that with you, in case the first one runs out at the event.

Regardless of whether you are taking a computer or video game console, you will need to check the following:

• Make sure that any games that you intend to play with anyone else, are up-to-date with the latest patches installed. This would greatly reduce compatibility problems between games.
• Register your interest in the event. Most LAN parties and gaming events will expect you to let them know if you are going to their event, so that they can plan the event better.
• Some LANs will offer or use seating reservations. Consider where you would like to sit at the event, using a map of the venue (they should provide this for you), and let the hosts know before you go.

Is there an age limit or age restriction on events? Can children attend?

This depends on the LAN party or gaming event. While some LAN parties or gaming groups will allow people of all ages, most groups will only allow people aged 15 years or older to attend. These groups will often ask that children under the age of 15 have a parent or guardian fill out and sign a form, before they can attend. This form would be likely to:

• inform parents/guardians about the kinds of games and other activities that their children may be exposed to
• inform parents/guardians that they must be present at all times, when their children are under a particular age
• waive certain responsibilities of event administrators (e.g. they may not be able to guarantee the safety of the children at all times)
• request medical information for the treatment of severe or life-threatening illness
• request personal contact information (e.g. mobile phone number and/or landline number)
• include a statement that all personal information will be kept confidential, and destroyed in the event that the group is closed indefinitely, or permanently
• include a statement that administrators will contact parents/guardians, should the need arise

Some events are open only to young people, usually between the ages of 15 and 25. Such events are often run in conjunction with Youth Week, and hosted by local councils in the area, or are run by charities and/or religious groups.

There are some events that serve alcohol from a bar to participants, and there are also some groups that encourage participants to bring their own alcohol to events. These events would (and should) restrict access to people under the age of 18. Anyone intending to go to such events should carry their drivers licence, or some other form of identification that displays their date of birth, otherwise they may be denied access to the event.