LAN ( or Local Area Network) parties became popular in the 1990s when broadband internet was expensive and uncommon. In theory it sounded simple, Take some friends, apply some basic networking and enjoy. In reality over the course of a 3 day LAN party, generally between 50 to 75 percent of the people who were there to play, would actually get to play. networking issues, software bugs, failed computer components, bad cables, bad food, bad power.... my point is the a rolling average of 50 percent of active game players for the duration of the event was not only common, but accepted as the norm.



Running repairs, reinstalations, harddrive swaps, overheating, and much more, all common place, all managed but whoever knew that part better. in the real early days of LAN parties, dos, win3.1, novel netware, and BNC (10Mb MAX speed) networking, not to mention null modem, crossover and token ring... ALL of this was much harder. the advent of P&P (Plug & Play) Operating systems, Windows 95 being the major event at that time (however not the first) made life alot easier,, eventually...





Up until the advent of LCD monitors being common place, All flat surfaces were fair game.



A little latter ( 2005 on-wards) LCD became affordable, and were a game-changer for space requirements.



LAN parties used to be the perfect way to play multiplayer games without relying on split-screen gameplay.

The size of these networks may vary from as few as two people to very large gatherings of a hundred or more. Small parties can form spontaneously and take advantage of common household networking equipment



Larger LAN Parties typically require more planning, equipment and preparation, even dedicated gaming servers. As of 2020, the world record for the size of a LAN party is 22,810 visitors, set at DreamHack, in Jönköping, Sweden.



Besides playing games, people gather to socialize, eat, and drink together. Due to the nature of LAN parties, gaming sessions usually last long into the early morning hours--- of 2 days later.