LANs are new to me
What is a LAN party?
“LAN” is short for “Local Area Network”. At LAN parties, gamers come together, set up their PCs in the hall and play games together. There are tournaments with prize money but players are free to do whatever they want during their stay. The organizers provide everything necessary, including a warm kitchen, a bar, a place to sleep, and showers.
Who goes to a LAN?
Everyone is welcome at the SwitzerLAN. The usual clientele consists mainly of gamers from Switzerland and the neighboring countries. If there’s an image of a lonely, pale basement gamer in your head right now, you have got the wrong idea. Gamers are very diverse, ranging from fitness guys to hardcore metal fans. And the number of female participants at our events is growing steadily.
Can I go?
Of course! You only need to purchase a ticket. A couple weeks before the LAN party we will unlock the seating plan, where you can select your seat https://switzerlan.ch/seatplan/.
Why do people go to a LAN?
Before the internet, LANs were the only way to play with your friends. Gamers used to connect their PCs using a LAN cord and play games together, which is exactly what they did at LAN parties. With the rise of the internet it became possible to play with friends online and LAN parties became unnecessary. Then, gamers began to view the social aspect of LANs as more important and in recent years, LAN parties have once again seen a rise in popularity. Today, LAN parties are a way to meet your online friends, discuss games and make memories. That is why some participants don’t even get to play games for longer than a few hours at a LAN party, because they are too busy catching up with old friends and making new ones.
What do I have to bring?
Our LAN parties are BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer). You bring your computer, monitor, and all the necessary peripheral gear you need. That includes a headset, your mouse, and keyboard. In addition, you will need enough fresh clothes for the weekend, hygienic products, a sleeping bag and a mattress, and some money. Before each event, we release a packing list for all participants. We as organizers provide a seat with a chair, desk, LAN cord and three power outlets per person. If you purchase a VIP ticket, we also set up an almost complete gaming station at your seat for you.
Can I sleep there?
Yes, we have a large sleeping hall with enough room for all participants.Or - depending on our hygiene concept - gamers might have their own designated sleeping area right next to their seat. You bring your own mattress and sleeping bag, we provide the space. We also have facilities for you to shower and maintain your personal hygiene. Bring your own towels, shampoo etc. for that.
What games can I play at the SwitzerLAN?
You are free to play any game you want. We organize some tournaments in the most popular esports titles, but you do not have to participate in a tournament if you do not want to. If you want to participate, sign up on the tournaments page after having bought your ticket.
If you play on console, you can also bring your console and a screen and play that, or you can just watch series all weekend long.
What is special about the SwitzerLAN?
SwitzerLANs are some of the largest LAN parties in the German speaking part of the world. However, since the pandemic hit, we’ve had to tone it down a little. In 2019 we hosted over 2000 participants, this year we are selling 1000 tickets. Still, we’re very happy to be able to organize a LAN party in 2021.
What if I only play PlayStation, Nintendo or Xbox?
That is not a problem. You can just bring your console, hook it up and play on that. But you have to be aware that all tournaments are played on PC only.
Where do I get all the necessary info?
Our main tool of communication is our Discord server. Discord is a messaging program designed for gamers, similar to Skype or Slack. Join our channel here (https://discordapp.com/invite/AwJb9mF).
What’s the minimum age to participate?
The minimum age is 14 at the start of the event. Participants under 18 have to bring the filled in form of eligibility, signed by their parents or legal guardians. You can find the form here (Eligibility of Participation).
I know what a LAN is
What is special about the SwitzerLAN?
SwitzerLANs are some of the largest LAN parties in the German speaking part of the world. However, since the pandemic hit, we’ve had to tone it down a little. In 2019 we hosted over 2000 participants, this year we are selling 1000 tickets. Still, we’re very happy to be able to organize a LAN party in 2021.
Can I come as a volunteer?
Yes. Please contact our head of staff Bruno via bruno@myi.ch or fill out our Volunteer Form. We need staff for all kinds of jobs, whether it be IT support, setting up the tables and chairs, making drinks at the bar or deconstructing the whole LAN in the end. Depending on how many hours you work, you will get food, a staff t-shirt or even the LAN ticket for free.
What do I have to bring?
Our LAN parties are BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer). You bring your computer, monitor, and all the necessary peripheral gear you need. That includes a headset, your mouse, and keyboard. In addition, you will need enough fresh clothes for the weekend, hygienic products, a sleeping bag and a mattress, and some money. Before each event, we release a packing list for all participants. We as organizers provide a seat with a chair, desk, LAN cord and three power outlets per person. If you purchase a VIP ticket, we also set up an almost complete gaming station at your seat for you.
Can I get food and drinks at the LAN?
Yes, we have a warm kitchen and a bar.
What’s the best way to get all the necessary info?
Join our Discord channel (https://discordapp.com/invite/AwJb9mF) to get all the info you need.
What’s the minimum age for participating?
The minimum age is 14 at the start of the event. Participants under 18 have to bring the filled out form of eligibility, signed by their parents or legal guardians. You can find the form here (Eligibility of Participation).
Can we set up a banner?
If you or your organization have a banner to set up, please contact our infrastructure manager directly: andreas.megert@myi.ch. It is not allowed to set up a banner without our explicit permission.
What tournaments are we playing?
We have different tiers of tournaments. CS:GO, LoL, Rocket League, and Osu! will most likely be our main tournaments. In addition, we have a whole number of side and fun tournaments in games like PUBG, Golf with your Friends, Beatsaber or Rainbow 6: Siege. You can find all our tournaments on the info page https://switzerlan.ch/info/ and make requests in the #tournament-wish Discord channel https://discordapp.com/invite/AwJb9mF.
Where can I find more information?
We have our own Discord server https://discordapp.com/invite/AwJb9mF with different channels for your every need. You can get in contact with us there.
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