LAN gaming is when Local Area Network (LAN) is used to connect many computers to each other for the purpose of playing the multi-player computer games. Starting from just a group of kids playing games on their PCs connected through LAN, this form of gaming has turned into a complete business foray. The computers or consoles can be accessed by the players by paying some amount of money. And with a huge number of youngsters being interested in gaming, they are popping up almost everywhere. These offer console gaming like Xbox, GameCube, and PlayStation2; and have started to offer PS3, Wiis and Xbox 360s that are playable in the store. LAN gaming centers can come in various sizes; from the very small (6-8 computers) to those with 400+ computers. The customers can play games with the in house opponents. This is more fun compared to playing the games individually and that’s why it is attracting huge crowds.
Another aspect of LAN Gaming is the LAN Party. It is gathering of people with their own computers at a place where they establish a LAN network for playing the multi-player games. This can be a small party with only a few computers or a large scale gathering that attracts players from all over the country. There are also tournaments, with competitions in such games as StarCraft, Quake Series, Counter-Strike Source, Team Fortress 2, Battlefield 2, Doom Series and many more.; sometimes awarding prizes to the winners. These tournaments have been seen to go on for the whole weekends with the hardcore gaming maniacs competing against each other. LAN gaming events are a regular in college festivals too, with IIT Roorkee organizing the largest LAN gaming event in India- Chaos.
Even though everyone is blinded by other games like cricket, football in our country at the moment, LAN gaming is turning into the ‘IT’ game for college students as it gives them a chance to show off their own expertise in the field. Looking at the current obsession of the youngsters, it can be predicted without doubt that the future belongs to gaming.