- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Everybody loves to have LAN parties, whether it be just with friends, or people from all over the world. Here are some suggestions to have a great LAN party. I thought this was the best place for this post, because if people follow these tips, we will help Bungie achieve world domination, in the LAN front at least.
Planning your party:
- Write it down: Decide what kind of LAN party you want.
- What kind of crowd: Are you going to have real gamers or just some casual ones?
- How many people: Decide how big you want your LAN party to be.
- How many Xboxs/Xbox 360s: Are you going to have everybody bring their own, or are you going to have multiple people per Xbox.
Create a schedule:
- Write down a schedule for all your games so that your LAN party stays organized.
- First-Person Shooters: This is probably the main reason for a LAN party, put this type of game in the schedule the most.
- Racing Games: These are great for LAN parties, but some people may not like them, so avoid sticking to many of these in.
- Fighting Games: These games are usually only one vs. one, so avoid putting these in at all unless you start up some kind of elimination bracket system.
- Sports Games: Same with fighting games, don't do too many of these unless you do some kind of elimination bracket.
- Random Games: You may get tired of the main group of games, so pull out some other games like, poker, dancing and music games, and puzzle games.
Decide how to hook up your consoles.
-System Link: Make sure the game that is the LAN's focus is system link compatible before choosing this set-up.
-Single Xbox: This choice isn't the best for LAN parties. Avoid doing this unless the main game isn't system link compatible.
Setting Up
- Make sure that you put a router or hub nearby the main center of Xboxs so that it is easy to get to and to use. Also make sure that you have enough copies of the main game so that everybody can play at once. Make sure you have enough Ethernet cables if you chose to do a system link set-up.
If you are going to a LAN party, there are a few essentials that you should take with you.
- Backpack: Make sure it has a padded storage area so that your Xbox can be transfered safely.
- Game case: To keep all your games in. Make sure it's sturdy.
- Router/Hub: To help connect your Xboxs.
- System Link cable: Just in case.
- If you are taking a 360, make sure you take a wired controller. This way, at large LAN parties with many 360s, the controllers won't get a large amount of interference.
- Power strip: Keeps you up and running when the power outlets start to get over numbered. Make sure you have at least two plugs on your outlet; one for your TV and one for your Xbox.
- If you have space and money, take a small LCD monitor with you, especially if they will be low on TVs. LCD monitors are small and light and look very nice. If you do this, make sure to take a VGA cable.
- Extra controller: Just in case a friend decides to come.
- Your Xbox cables: Can't leave without these.
That is the list, it will be updated when more things come to mind.