Competitive gaming is by and large a online phenomenon, however as the the hobby has grown and more gamers refine there skills there has become a popular increase in LAN tournaments in local areas around the world (Local Area Network) as gamers met up to and hook up to giant networks to compete together face to face.

Gamers will bring their pc's and strap themselves in for often a weekend of gaming or in some cases longer extended periods, games are played, tournaments are conducted and the events are usually a good time for all. The gamers set themselves up a temporary digital coliseum and battle it out until they cant stay awake any longer... or until the venue kicks them out, usually the latter comes first.

LANs can be small with as little as 12 people gathering at a home, or as big as 10 thousand people at the larger organized events, the size and the duration is completely at the discretion of the organizer and it is up to them to do their publicity. Some of the larger organized LANs have corporate sponsors and are conducted on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis.

The largest LAN in the world is Sweden's Dreamhack held in winter, which currently holds the record for most attended with a counted 10 thousand people attending the most recent event.

With wireless technology and improved network capabilities slowly becoming more mainstream game LAN tournaments are sure to increase as more people start gaming, the only limitations at the present are the vast complications that can sometimes arise when establishing such a large network with such a constant stream of data transfer but as high quality servers become more easily available this last barrier is slowly being dissolved.

LANs are truly a case of "put your money where your mouth is" theirs no hiding behind internet connections and any claims to pwnership must be backed up with the proof of abilities, Trash talk is at a minimal and if arguments do occur they are quickly settled in game. The events symbolize the fun & talent of competitive gaming far more than any other area of the hobby.

As more competitive orientated first person shooters and real time strategy games come onto the market offering diverse tactics and team gameplay it is going to mean a increase in LAN tournaments which have become a popular activity amongst game enthusiasts.