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A LAN party is a temporary, sometimes spontaneous, gathering of people with computers, between which they establish a local area network (LAN), primarily for the purpose of playing multiplayer video games. The size of these networks may vary from the very small (two people) to very large installations. Small parties can form spontaneously, but large ones usually require a fair amount of planning and preparation. As of 2010, the world record for the size of a LAN party is 12,754 connected systems, set at DreamHack, in Jönköping, Sweden.^[1]

LAN party events differ significantly from LAN gaming centers and Internet cafes in that they generally require participants to bring your own computer (BYOC)^[2] and are not permanent installations, often taking place in general meeting places or residences.

Small LAN parties[link]

Usually, smaller LAN parties consist of people bringing their computers over to each others' houses to host and play multiplayer games.

These are sometimes established between small groups of friends, and hosted at a central location or one that is known to all participants. Such events are often organized quickly with little planning, and some overnight events, with some stretching into days (or even weeks). Because of the small number of players, games are usually played on small levels and/or against bots.

A small LAN party requires either a hub/switch, with enough ports to accommodate all the players or if all the computers have Wi-Fi capability, an ad-hoc network may be set up. This allows two or more computers to connect over a wireless connection, thereby eliminating the need for a wired network, a fair amount of power, and suitable surfaces for all the computers. Providing refreshments is often also a duty of the host, though guests are usually asked to contribute. In larger parties where participants may not all know each other personally, an entry fee may even be charged. Another tradition of some small groups is to purchase large amounts of fast food for consumption over many days. Many LAN participants will also bring energy drinks and other food to consume over the course of the party. The LAN must start at one day then finish at another.

When some of the participants cannot be present or when merging a few LAN parties together, VPN software such as Hamachi can be used to arrange computers over the Internet so they appear to be on the same LAN.

Normally, the host will host the games but sometimes at very small LAN parties (e.g. 2 or 3 people) all participants will connect to a online internet server and add a word in front of their name to tell everyone else that they are a clan or group. At bigger LANs (e.g. 5 or more people) the host or a friend of the host will use a spare PC as a game server to serve all the participants. Usually the host and/or the owner are administrators.

The group can play together in another server as well if they wish as long as they are in the same LAN.

Console-based LAN parties[link]

While traditional LAN parties have solely consisted of computer gaming, the widespread adoption of network-centric console platforms, such as Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, has led to an evolution in LAN parties.

Console-LAN attendees need only their console, games, and television to garner the same local gaming experience as their computer-based counterparts. Many popular multiplayer games for the console have also been ported to the PC (e.g. Battlefield: Bad Company 2) and vice-versa (i.e. Halo: Combat Evolved). Developers have given consumers the choice to enjoy the same multiplayer games on multiple platforms, paving way for an alternative stage in 21st-century LAN parties.

Larger LAN parties[link]

A photo from the world's largest LAN party, DreamHack.

Many commercialized parties offer various tournaments, with competitions in such games as StarCraft, StarCraft II, Warcraft III, World of Warcraft, Counter-Strike Source, Unreal Tournament, Team Fortress 2, America's Army, Garry's Mod, and games from the Quake, Left 4 Dead, Call of Duty, Battlefield, Doom and Halo series. Prizes may be awarded to winners, and can include computer hardware such as overclocking kits, cases, lights, fans, graphics cards and sometimes even complete computers (often considered humorous as typically the winner of the competition would already have (and be competing on) a custom PC far superior to the prize).

The duration of events is not standardized; organized parties often last for a weekend.

Big LAN parties often offer a quiet place to sleep, shower, and eat, as well as hired security, alternative entertainment (such as music), and a dedicated support crew, as well as a professionally managed network including a connection to the Internet. Catering might come in the form of a bar, delivered food such as pizza, or nearby shops. Some parties come fully catered in the form of regular barbecues or even employment of a catering staff running a public canteen.

Gaming clans — groups of gamers that often play in team games—often use these gatherings to meet one another, since they typically play together over the Internet between other parties with little real-world contact. Their goal is often to win tournaments. Clans are often in "ladders" where they move up after winning a match. As well as counting for standings in national and international gaming leagues such as the CPL there are regular events such as QuakeCon in which the very best players from around the world compete against one another, much like in popular sports. Practice matches are usually held prior to a match so competitors can get a rough idea of what they are up against.

Often case modders and overclockers attend these events to display their computers, which otherwise would be seen by few. Some come just to display their computers and look at others' computers.

Some attendees also use these parties for the purpose of file sharing. Copyright infringement via file sharing is often discouraged or forbidden by the larger parties. However, enforcement is rare and spotty due to the time involved and often a lack of desire by organizers. Some LAN parties actively support file sharing for legitimate purposes (game patches, updates, user contributed content), and may run Direct Connect hubs or other P2P service servers. One of the main reasons for running such servers is so file sharing can be monitored/controlled while standard Windows file sharing (SMB/CIFS) can be blocked, thus preventing the spread of SMB/CIFS-based viruses. Most P2P setups used at LAN parties also have a 'centralized' chat area, where all members of the LAN party can converse in an IRC-like environment.

There are also other kinds of parties not referred to as "LAN parties" where temporary LANs are built, but are not used as a main attraction. Amongst these are demoparties such as Assembly and hacker conventions such as DEF CON.

In the traditionally active demoscene countries, such as those in Northern Europe, the LAN party culture is often heavily influenced by demoparties. This is due to the fact that many of the largest demoparties were already well established in the early 1990s and their facilities were also suitable for large-scale LAN party activity. This eventually led gaming clans and other similar groups to attend these events and regard them merely as large LAN parties. On the other hand, it is not uncommon for "pure" LAN parties in Northern Europe to organize some demoscene-like competitions in areas such as computer graphics or home videos.

Sponsorship[link]

Many computer companies, including NVIDIA,^[3] Razer,^[4] Cyber Snipa, Antec,^[5] Quixby,^[6] Corsair,^[7] Alienware,^[8] and Thermaltake,^[9] offer sponsorship packages to large LAN parties, with funding, prizes, or equipment given in return for advertising. Many large-scale LAN parties seek such sponsorship, in order to reduce operating risk (often the organisers risk losing tens of thousands of dollars) and provide prizes for attendees.

Culture[link]

LAN parties have their own unique culture. Case modding enthusiasts often show off computers with flashy aftermarket lighting, LCD screens, enhanced speakers, and many other computer accessories.^[10] Highly caffeinated drinks, termed energy drinks, are very popular in these events to improve concentration and stamina, since LAN parties often run into the early morning hours.^[11] Large parties can last for several days with no scheduled breaks. Often sleep is compromised to play throughout the night and into the next day, although there is often a designated room separated from the LAN party to sleep.

Notable events[link]

• PDXLAN,^[12] is one of the largest family and friend oriented annual North West Lan Party in the US.
• Platform Expos,^[13] an up and coming annual LAN event. Next due in March 2012 covering 2 days with the LAN event being managed by FraggedNation^[14] Platform 2012 is set to open up Hull, England to the Competitive Gaming World.
• DreamHack, the largest LAN party in the world.^[15] Held twice annually in Jönköping, Sweden.
• The Gathering, the world's largest computer party, is not officially categorized as a "LAN-party"^[16] but is, in terms, the world's second largest computer happening.^{[citation needed]} Held in Hamar, Norway.
• Gaming Scotland, the largest Scottish LAN^[17] party held at the Dobbie Hall, Scotland, United Kingdom
• Assembly demo party, another very large party. Held annually in Hartwall Areena, Helsinki, Finland.
• QuakeCon, largest LAN party in the United States^{[citation needed]} and the largest free LAN party in the world.^{[citation needed]} Held annually in Dallas, Texas.
• Lanwar, one of the largest LAN events in the United States.^{[citation needed]} Held quarterly by the same name, and annually as MillionManLan.
• Cyberathlete Professional League, formerly one of the largest LAN events in the United States.^{[citation needed]}
• Minho Campus Party, LAN party held annually in the Minho region, Portugal.
• Fragapalooza, one of the largest LAN parties in Canada. Held in Edmonton, Alberta.
• Campzone, the world's largest outdoor LAN party held in the Netherlands.
• Pittsburgh LAN Coalition, holds Iron Storm, a major semi-yearly LAN in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
• Organised Chaos, Africa's largest monthly LAN party (1200 people). Held in the Bellville Velodrome in Cape Town, South Africa. Hosted Over 2 days in the Weekend.
• NAG LAN @ rAge, one of the largest LAN parties in Africa. Held annually at The Coca-Cola Dome. About 2100 expected in 2011.
• BYOC www.byoc.in, India's Largest LAN Party held in New Delhi, India. A very popular gaming event of India by Xtreme Gaming.
• MatCH Lan-party, a large LAN-party in Delft, Netherlands.
• ChicagoLanParty.com (also known as The Afternight Lan Party), held the longest running weekly LAN party from 1998 until 2003 only canceling 2 dates in their full run and sometimes running multiple day events. Finishing with an astonishing 500 LAN parties in a row.
• SSDD Lanparty! A lanparty for 40 people in Luttenberg, Netherlands. ^[18]

See also[link]

• Block party
• Demoscene
• Install fest

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: LAN party

• LAN Party Guide - Collaborative Community Wiki
• LAN parties at the Open Directory Project
• LAN Game Database
• Australian LAN Party Information
• New Zealand LAN Eventy/Party Information
• lanlist.org - A List of LAN Parties, with a focus on the UK
• LAN Party EH - A List of LAN Parties, with a focus on Canada
• Pittsburgh LAN Party Coalition
• Spain Lan Party
• LAN Party guide at Tom's Hardware Guide
• Zoopy Video article on Organised Chaos

Look up lan in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

LAN may refer to:

• Local area network, a computer network covering a small local area, such as a home or office
  • LAN party, social happening on a local area network
• Local asymptotic normality, a fundamental property of regular models in statistics
• Lancaster railway station, England (National Rail station code "LAN")
• Lansing, Michigan Capital Region International Airport (IATA airport code "LAN")
• Light At Night, medical term for sleeping with a light on
• LAN Airlines, an airline in Chile, with a stake in other airlines
  • LAN Peru, an airline based in Peru
  • LAN Ecuador, an airline based in Quito, Ecuador
  • LAN Argentina, an airline based in Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • LAN Dominicana, an airline based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
  • LAN Colombia, an airline based in Bogotá, Colombia

Lan may refer to:

• Lan (name)
• Lan, a Cantonese profanity
• Lan or Llan, a common place name element in Brythonic languages
• Län, administrative division used in Finland and Sweden
• Łan, unit of measurement in Poland
• Lan (subculture), male subculture in Germany
• Lan County, Shanxi, China
• Łan, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland
• Lan (tribe), a tribe of Eastern Huns
• Lan Mandragoran, a fictional character from Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

Look up celebration in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2011)

People sit and converse at a birthday party in the United States.

A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, or recreation. A party will typically feature food and beverages, and often music and dancing as well.

Some parties are held in honor of a specific person, day, or event (e.g., a birthday party, a Super Bowl party, or a St. Patrick’s Day party). Parties of this kind are often called celebrations.

A party is not necessarily a private occasion. Public parties are sometimes held in restaurants, pubs or bars, and people attending such parties may be charged an admission fee by the host.

Types of parties[link]

Birthday party[link]

Children at a birthday party.

A birthday party is a celebration of the anniversary of the birth of the person who is being honored.

Birthday parties are a feature of many cultures. The guests may be asked to bring a gift for the honored person. In Western cultures, birthday parties are often accompanied by colorful decorations, such as balloons and streamers. In these cultures, a birthday cake is usually served with lit candles that are to be blown out after a "birthday wish" has been made. The person being honored will be given the first piece of cake. While the birthday cake is being brought to the table, the song "Happy Birthday to You" or some other dedicated birthday song is sung by the guests.

A birthday cake with lit novelty candles.

Birthday parties are often larger and more extravagant if they celebrate someone who has reached what is regarded in the culture as a milestone age, such as transition from childhood to adulthood. Examples of traditional coming of age celebrations include the North American sweet sixteen party and the Latin American quinceañera.

Dinner party[link]

A dinner party is a social gathering at which people eat dinner together, usually in the host’s home. At the most formal dinner parties, the dinner is served on a dining table with place settings. Dinner parties are often preceded by a cocktail hour in a living room or bar, where guests drink cocktails while mingling and conversing.

At less formal dinner parties, a buffet is provided. Guests choose food from the buffet and eat while standing up and conversing. Women guests may wear cocktail dresses; men may wear blazers.

At some informal dinner parties, the host may ask guests to bring food or beverages (a main dish, a side dish, a dessert, or appetizers). A party of this type is called a potluck or potluck dinner. In the United States, potlucks are very often held in churches and community centers.

Cocktail party[link]

A cocktail party is a party at which cocktails are served. It is sometimes called a cocktail reception. Women who attend a cocktail party may wear a cocktail dress. A cocktail hat is sometimes worn as a fashion statement.

Tea party[link]

In Anglo-American culture, a tea party is a formal gathering for afternoon tea. These parties are traditionally attended only by women, but men may also be invited.

Tea parties are often characterized by the use of prestigious tableware, such as bone china and silver. The table, whatever its size or cost, is made to look its prettiest, with cloth napkins and matching cups and plates.

In addition to tea, larger parties may serve punch or, in cold weather, hot chocolate. The tea is accompanied by a variety of easily managed foods. Thin sandwiches such as cucumber or tomato, bananas, cake slices, buns, and cookies are all common choices.

Christmas caroling party[link]

In English and American culture during the Christmas season, it is traditional to have a Christmas caroling party. People go from door to door in a neighborhood and sing Christmas carols. In Spain, this type of party is called "El Aguinaldo". It's the same as in England and the United States, but the only difference is that the kids who sing the carols are given tips.^{[citation needed]}

Some popular Christmas carols are "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", "Deck the Halls", "The Twelve Days of Christmas", "Frosty the Snowman", "Jingle Bells", "Silver Bells", "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town", and "O Holy Night".

Reception[link]

A reception is a style of party that is well suited to receiving many guests. The hosts and any guests of honor form a receiving line in order of precedence near the entrance. They greet each guest in turn as he or she arrives. Each guest greets the first person in the line (who, of course, is the person of lowest precedence). The first person then introduces the guest to the next person in the line and turns to the next guest. Each guest properly speaks little more than his name (if necessary) and a conventional greeting or congratulation to each person in the receiving line. Thus the reception progresses steadily without unnecessary delay. After formally receiving each guest in this fashion, the hosts may mingle with the guests.

Refreshments at a reception may be as minimal as coffee or lemonade, or as elaborate as those at a state dinner. Receptions are popular for large events such as holiday events at the White House.

Dances and balls[link]

A dance is a social gathering at which the guests dance. It may be a casual, informal affair or a structured event, such as a school dance or a charity ball. Dances usually take place during the evening. An afternoon dance is formally known as a tea dance. Some dances feature specific kinds of dancing, such as square dancing.

A ball is a large formal party that features ballroom dancing. Women guests wear formal gowns; men wear evening dress.

Block party[link]

A block party is a public party that is attended by the residents of a specific city block or neighborhood. These parties are typically held in a city street that has been closed to traffic to accommodate the party.

At some block parties, attendees are free to pass from house to house, socializing, and often drinking alcoholic beverages.

Showers[link]

A shower is a party whose primary purpose is to give gifts to the guest of honor, commonly a bride-to-be or a mother-to-be. Guests who attend are expected to bring a small gift, usually related to the upcoming life event, like getting married or having a baby.

As a gift-giving occasion, it may not properly be hosted either by the guest of honor or the close relatives of the guest of honor, as requesting gifts from friends for a near relative is seen as either greedy or begging.

Costume or fancy dress party[link]

At a masquerade ball, guests wear masks to conceal their identities. Guests at a costume party or a fancy dress party wear costumes. These parties are sometimes associated with holiday events, such as Halloween and Mardi Gras.

Surprise party[link]

A surprise party is a party that is not made known beforehand to the person in whose honor it is being held.

Birthday surprise parties are the most common kind of surprise party. At most such parties, the guests will arrive an hour or so before the honored person arrives. Often, a friend in on the surprise will lead the honored person to the location of the party without letting on anything.

The guests might even conceal themselves from view, and when the honored person enters the room, they leap from hiding and all shout, "Surprise!" For some surprise birthday parties, it is considered to be a good tactic to shock the honored person. Streamers, silly string, and balloons may be used for this purpose. Evidence of a party, such as decorations and balloons, are not made visible from the exterior of the home, so that the honored person will suspect nothing.

Before planning a surprise party, the temperament of the person to be honored should be considered. Some people may not care to be surprised and may react negatively. Participation in the planning of a party may add to their enjoyment.

Surprise parties should not be given to those in ill health, as the shock may worsen their condition.

Parties for teenagers and young adults[link]

A “house party” is a party where a large group of people get together at a private home to socialize. House parties that involve the drinking of beer pumped from a keg are called keg parties or “keggers.” These parties are popular in North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia and are often attended by people under the legal drinking age. Sometimes, even older party-goers run afoul of the law for having provided alcoholic beverages to minors. Arrests may also be made for violating a noise ordinance, for disorderly conduct,^[1] and even for operating a “blind pig.”

Dance parties are gatherings in bars or community centers where the guests dance to house music, techno music, or disco. The music for dance parties is usually selected and played by a disc jockey.

A spin-off of dance parties, the rave involves dancing to loud house music, techno music, or industrial music. Rave parties may be attended by as few as a score of people in a basement or, more likely, by a few hundred people in a club, to as many as thousands in a large warehouse, field, or even tens of thousands in a sporting arena, amusement park, or other large space.

Outdoor parties include bush parties and beach parties. Bush parties (also called “field parties”) are held in a secluded area of a forest (“bush”), where friends gather to drink and talk. These parties are often held around a bonfire. Beach parties are held on a sandy shoreline of a lake, river, or sea, and also often feature a bonfire.

School-related parties for teenagers and young adults include proms and graduation parties, which are held in honor of someone who has recently graduated from a school or university.

A crush party is a party in a sorority or fraternity where the sisters or brothers are given a certain number of invitations (according to their “crushes”). These are passed on to friends outside of the sorority/fraternity and given to the “crushes” (while keeping secret the name of the inviter). There may be some sort of disclosure at the party, so that the guests can find out who has a crush on her/him.

Singles dance party and mixer[link]

A singles dance party and mixer is a party which is organized for people who are not married and who want to find a partner for friendship, dating, or sex.

Usually a “mixer game” is played, to make it easy for people to meet each other. For example, each guest may be given a card with an inspiring quotation on it. The game is to find someone of the opposite sex who has the same quotation. Couples who have matching cards may be given a small prize.

These parties are sponsored by various organizations, both non-profit and for-profit.

Fundraising party[link]

A fundraising party, or fundraiser, is a party that is held for the purpose of collecting money that will be given to some person or to some institution, such as a school, charity, business, or political campaign. These parties are usually formal and consist of a dinner followed by speeches or by a presentation extolling whatever the money is being raised for.

It is very common to charge an admission fee for parties of this kind. This fee may be as high as several thousand dollars, especially if money is being raised for a political campaign.

Graduation party[link]

In some places, parties to celebrate graduation from school, college or university are popular.

Marriage-related parties[link]

• Bridal shower
• Bachelor party (aka UK: stag night; Australia: Bucks Night)
• Bachelorette party (aka hen night, hen party)
• Wedding reception
• Divorce party

Housewarming party[link]

A housewarming party may be held when a family, couple, or person moves into a new house or apartment. It is an occasion for the hosts to show their new home to their friends. Housewarming parties are typically informal and do not include any planned activities other than a tour of the new house or apartment. Invited family members and friends may bring gifts for the new home.

Welcome party[link]

A welcome party is held for the purpose of welcoming a newcomer, such as a new club member, a new employee, or a family's new baby.

Farewell party[link]

In many cultures, it is customary to throw a farewell party in honor of someone who is moving away or departing on a long trip (sometimes called a bon voyage party). Retirement parties for departing co-workers fall into this category.

Cast party[link]

A cast party is a celebration following the final performance of a theatric event, such as a play, a musical, or an opera. A party of this kind may also be held following the end of shooting for a motion picture (called a “wrap party”) or after the season’s final episode of a television series. Cast parties are traditionally held for most theater performances, both professional and amateur.

Invited guests are usually restricted to performers, crew members, and a few others who did not participate in the performance.

Pre-party[link]

A pre-party is a party that is held immediately before some event, such as a school dance, a wedding, a birthday party, or a bar mitzvah. These parties are usually of short duration and sometimes involve getting ready for the event (e.g., the guests may put on makeup or costumes). Guests usually leave at the same time and arrive at the event together.

After-party[link]

An after-party is a party that is held after a musical or theatric performance or after some other event, such as a wedding or a school dance. Guests are usually limited to friends of the host.

Parties on special days[link]

International

• Christmas
• Halloween
• International Friendship Day
• Mardi Gras
• New Year's Day
• New Year's Eve

Australia

• Australia Day
• Grand Final Saturday
• Melbourne Cup Day (Melbourne metropolitan region only)

Canada

• Canada Day
• Victoria Day

France

• Bastille Day

India

• Chaand Raat (Eid)
• Diwali
• Holi
• Christmas

Iran

• Nowruz

Ireland

• Saint Patrick’s Day

Israel

• Passover
• Hanukkah
• Purim

Mexico

• Cinco de Mayo

New Zealand

• Waitangi Day

Pakistan

• Pakistan Day
• Yom-e-Istiqlal
• Basant

Scotland

• Hogmanay

Sweden

• Midsummer Eve

Turkic Countries (Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan etc.)

• Nowruz

United Kingdom

• Guy Fawkes Night

United States

• Independence Day, aka the Fourth of July
• Super Bowl Sunday

Uruguay

• Nostalgia Night, the night before the Declaration of Independence

Parties associated with religious events[link]

Christian

• Christmas
• Easter
• Mardi Gras
• Saint Patrick’s Day

Islamic

• Eid al-Adha
• Eid ul-Fitr

Jewish

• Hanukkah
• Passover
• Purim

Famous parties[link]

• Exotic Erotic Ball
• Burning Man
• Full Moon Party
• Lollapalooza
• Nuit Blanche
• Woodstock Festival

Miscellaneous parties[link]

People posing at an outdoor party in Canada.

• A game party

A social gathering during which the guests play party games.

• A LAN party

A party that involves multi-player computer games and uses a Local Area Network.

• A political houseparty

A party that is hosted in a private home for the purpose of supporting a particular candidate, political party, or ballot measure, or to share information and opinions about an upcoming election.

• A pool party

A party in which the guests swim in a swimming pool.

• A sleepover or pajama party, also called a slumber party

A party for which the guests are invited to stay overnight at the home of the host. These parties are usually for teenagers or young children.

• A toga party

A party in which the guests wear togas.

See also[link]

• Cocktail party
• Convention (meeting)
• Crayfish party
• Cuddle party
• Event management
• Event planning
• Gate-crashing
• List of party organizations
• Naked party
• Rave party

References[link]

Bibliography[link]

• Tung, Jennifer (2005). In Style Parties: The Complete Guide to Easy, Elegant Entertaining. New York: Melcher Media, Inc. ISBN 978-1-932994-11-7.