New to LANs (CT)

[Kaiser]

Believe it or not, despite being 'sort of' a gaming person, I've never been to a single LAN in my life and so decided I should start. I have no idea how it works though. I assume there's some kind of 'door fee' (can you just turn up or do you have to book?) for more organised ones but do you just pitch up with your entire PC and set up, connect and play whatever game/s are going or what? Are laptops more popular?

Does the LAN provide internet connectivity (if you need it) or do you have to make your own plan, since I guess so many people on one connection would be pretty impractical.

What games are big at the moment?

As the title says, I'm in Cape Town if it helps.

 

[S1ght]

Well the one's I've been to in Jo'burg you need to book. So register here www.langames.co.za and find the 1 you're interested in.

Normally you pay a fee at the door and they give you an IP address and no internet normally...You take your own pc,set it up and can do whatever you want, some people use laptops but not a lot.

 

[Buddha]

I would suggest looking @ www.oc.co.za Organised Chaos happens once a month and its quite big and very well organised. If you are new to lanning and need help with setups/patches/anti-virus etc these guys are really good.

 

[Dr@g0nic]

Organised Chaos - www.oc.co.za
I go there every month since I started to go there in July, I also haven't been to a single LAN before that, and now I can't stay away! Its in the Velodrome(600 seats), you can book or you can pay at the door(provided theres still space).
At OC most people bring their entire PCs but I've seen a few laptops aswell.

Edit: Oops he beat me to it, but hey.

 

[Charlie.]

Whatever you do, remember the golden rule of LANning: STAY AWAKE AT ALL COSTS!

The punishment for violating this rule is always severe, frequently obscene and sometimes permanent.

 

[Kloon]

Or if you are looking for a permanent LAN, check out www.ctwug.co.za and join the local wireless community.

 

[Nerfherder]

It sucks a bit if you don't have any mates that are going as well... often its a bit of a bitch to find some one that is willing to help you sort everything out.

Its worth getting in to though... once you know some people and how to join games etc its great.

 

[CrzWaco]

As for the laptop sonly the rich boys/girls bring those to the lans.(so not a lot)
No speakers is also a rule.Get some comfortable earphones.
Anti virus is a must some of these people have some sick virus.

Like one person said if u want to sleep rather pack up and go home. Why because some of these lan people bring booz to the lans and they get up to no good.But there are some cool guys/girls out there so don't fright to much.

There is no internet connectivity at all.
If u really need one use your cellphone as a modem.

Organizes lans u usually have to pay from R50-R100
And when u make friends that lan start inviting them over for smaller lans and have some fun and they will start doing the same.

Games that are popular depends on the people that are there.
War3 DOTA
COD4
Crysis
Counter strike source(or some kind of mod)
Hope that answers all your questions quickly.