From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A LAN party is a temporary, sometimes spontaneous, gathering of people together on their computers, which they network together primarily for the purpose of playing multiplayer computer games. These local area networks (LANs) come in various sizes, from very small (two people) to very large (more than 6,500 people). Small parties can form spontaneously, but large ones usually require a fair amount of planning and preparation on the part of the organizer

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

LAN party attendees tend to be more experienced gamers, as the setup required turns most casual gamers away. People who prefer LAN party gaming to Internet or other multiplayer gaming types favor the term "LANner".