Industry News
LAN Parties: Revival and Evolution in 2023
In the early 2000’s, LAN (Local Area Network) parties made up a large part of what some call the golden age of gaming. But as Wifi connections became stronger and cheaper, multiplayer gaming moved online, and LAN parties took a step back from the limelight.
Even though they may seem extinct to some, there’s still a strong LAN scene. With Insomnia the Gaming Festival taking place from the 7th to the 10th of September, domain and hosting experts, and event guest, Fasthosts, wanted to explore the current state of LAN parties in 2023, rounding up some of the biggest events taking place worldwide.
Originating in the 70s, it wasn’t until the turn of the millennium that LAN parties became the driving social gatherings of the gamer community. It was common to see teens transferring their heavy setups to friends’ houses to revel in hours worth of gameplay in bunker-like basements and dated living rooms. LAN parties were the first true form of multiplayer gaming and involved each player to BYOC (Bring our Own Computer), and gather together in the same physical location and connect their computers or consoles to play offline LAN-compatible games.
Nowadays, most game servers no longer support LAN connections. Nonetheless, informal small “friendly” events take place across the world alongside larger tournaments. Interestingly, they have witnessed a shift by partially merging with the competitive world of eSports. Many tournaments recognise the appeal and importance of keeping their novelty alive, and have incorporated social gaming, and BYOC areas where participants can enjoy more casual playing sessions with friends or acquaintances.
With their rich cultural history and nostalgia, they are still enjoyed by avid gamers worldwide and bridge the gap between the past and present world of gaming. In fact, there are plenty of events that promote LAN style gaming and casual play – here are some of the largest events that are reviving the classic spirit of gaming:
Insomnia the Gaming Festival (UK)
Insomnia is the biggest gaming festival in the UK. Each year it hosts eSport competitions, meet and greets, cosplay, and gaming-related events. Insomnia are hosting their i7i LAN party on the 10/09 where you can compete in tournaments or friendly battles.
QuakeCon (USA)
QuakeCon is an annual video game convention that takes place in Texas. It is primarily centred around id software’s game, especially the Quake series. It will be the first in-person event since 2019, and it is said that this year’s convention will bring greater emphasis to the BYOC side of the event.
LanTrek (Finland)
LanTrek is an annual gaming event that started in 2001. Aimed at all young people interested in computers, consoles, board games and gaming, it features competitive tournaments, exhibition areas, and a BYOC option where individuals can enjoy casual gaming with their friends.
The Gathering (Norway)
The gathering takes place in April of each year in the Viking Ship in Hamar. As Norway’s biggest computing event, they celebrate Easter with games, eSport competition, lectures, and concerts. It is also run entirely by volunteers and non-profit organisations.
Dreamhack (Worldwide)
Dreamhack is one of the largest LAN party and gaming festivals globally. It started in Sweden but soon popped up in various other locations, including the US, France, India, and Spain. Each event combines eSports, LAN gaming, concerts, meet and greets and more.
Gamers Assembly (France)
Unlike others on this list, Gamers Assembly is solely a LAN gaming event. Organised by the FutuoLAN association it attracts thousands of players each year looking to take part in the tournaments from popular eSport titles to more niche selections.
Assembly (Finland)
The biggest gaming convention in Finland, it attracts an average of 30,000 participants every event. Centred around gaming, eSports and digital culture, for the summer 23 edition, Assembly announced their largest ever LAN area to date.
PAX (USA & Australia)
PAX takes place in numerous locations around the US and Australia. Although primarily a gaming event it offers a BYOC/community playing option alongside other fun features such as talks, game demos, concerts, and tournaments.
Industry News
CT Gaming Celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a Three-Day Team-Building Event
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, CT Gaming hosted an unforgettable three-day team-building event for its employees at the picturesque “Katarino” complex. The programme as dynamic, filled with diverse activities that fostered team bonding—from fun quizzes and sports tournaments to refreshing mountain hikes and moments of complete relaxation. The highlight of the event was the glamorous gala dinner, themed “Classic Stars,” where employees and departments with outstanding contributions to the company’s success were rightfully honoured by company Founder Milo Borissov and Vice President Rossi McKee. Following the formal part of the evening, the beloved actor and comedian Krasi Radkov brought smiles and laughter to the audience.
“Twenty-five years in the business is a significant achievement, one we couldn’t have reached without the dedication and ambition of the team behind CT Gaming. That’s why we decided to celebrate this milestone all of us – together,” Mr. Borissov, founder of CT Gaming, said.
“As we mark this anniversary, we celebrate not only the success of our products but also the dedication of our incredible team, as well as the trust of our partners and clients. Looking ahead, CT Gaming remains focused on business expansion and actively shaping the future of the gaming industry,” Rossi McKee, Vice President of CT Gaming, said.
The post CT Gaming Celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a Three-Day Team-Building Event appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
BC.GAME Launches $BC Mining Rush
BC.GAME, a leading crypto gaming platform, has launched $BC Mining Rush, an exclusive event with a staggering prize pool of 1 billion $BC tokens. The event will run from October 1 to October 20, 2024, offering players the chance to win daily rewards simply by placing bets of $1 or more.
This event is designed to offer participants an easy entry into the crypto space, providing opportunities for daily wins while keeping participation straightforward and accessible.
Key Highlights of the $BC Mining Rush
Massive Daily Prize Pool: Win Big with Just $1
The $BC Mining Rush features an impressive 50 million $BC daily prize pool. With just a $1 wager, participants can enter the daily prize draw, and larger wagers can boost their share of the winnings. This setup allows players of all experience levels to compete for a portion of the 1 billion $BC total prize pool, maximising their potential returns.
Easy and Accessible Participation
The $BC Mining Rush has simplified the participation process to ensure that both new and seasoned players can easily take part. There are no complicated requirements or technical barriers—users simply place their wagers daily and watch their potential winnings grow. Daily winners will receive their rewards the following day, ensuring a smooth and transparent payout process.
Daily Rewards Structure: A Chance to Win Every Day
Each day of the event offers a fresh opportunity to claim a portion of the 50 million $BC prize pool. The more a player wagers, the greater their share of the daily prize pool. Players’ rewards are based on their percentage of total wagers for that day, making the event as fair as it is rewarding.
“We are thrilled to bring the $BC Mining Rush to our community. This event is our way of rewarding loyal players while introducing new users to the thrill of crypto gaming with the chance to win big,” said Jack Dorset, CEO of BC.GAME.
The post BC.GAME Launches $BC Mining Rush appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
Rickard Vikström, CEO & Founder of Internet Vikings, Honored in Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 List
The Innovation Group, together with Global Gaming Business (GGB) magazine, has announced Rickard Vikström, CEO and Founder of Internet Vikings, as one of the honorees of the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 Class of 2025. This list recognizes professionals under the age of 40 who have made significant contributions and are set to become leaders in the casino gaming industry.
Rickard Vikström has been recognized for his leadership in the field of in-state hosting solutions for the iGaming and online sports betting industry. As the CEO of Internet Vikings, Rickard has established the company which is now the fastest-growing hosting provider in the US, serving 24 states.
“I am honored to be included in this list of talented individuals making a bold impact in the casino gaming industry. I share this recognition with the entire Internet Vikings team and our leading hosting solutions that support the growth and success of our clients in the iGaming and online sports betting sectors,” said Rickard Vikström.
The Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 Class of 2025 was carefully selected by a distinguished committee including representatives from PENN Entertainment. Their decision reflects Rickard Vikström’s impact on the industry and his achievements in strategic leadership. Other 40 under 40 leaders include FanDuel’s Karolina Pelc and Everi’s Darryl DeRaedt.
The honorees will be celebrated at the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 Networking Reception in partnership with Global Gaming Expo (G2E) on Wednesday, the 9th of October, 2024.
The post Rickard Vikström, CEO & Founder of Internet Vikings, Honored in Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 List appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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