This weekend the Gamers Assembly took place, the largest LAN in France, an event that brings together networked gaming players from all over France and Navarre. But what exactly is a LAN?
The term is an acronym. Originally, it stood for "Local Area Network", or "local network" in the language of frog-eaters. During this obscure period that some call the 80s, the only way to play with friends on a computer was to invite all your crew into the same room with their bulky computers. It seems appropriate to note that at the time, portable computers didn't really exist.
These merry pranksters would take their turns, their screens and the mass of cables that come with them, load everything into the trunk of their car to meet up and play. These little jaunts still exist today. They are LANs.
There are two kinds of LAN, those you do at home with friends, and LAN Parties. The very popular Gamers Assembly is one of them.
These events bring together thousands of players who come to measure themselves against one another, to see who is best. The vibe is much like that of pro circuits, with a friendly atmosphere.
These events generally last an entire weekend, so it's advised to find a hotel not too far from the venue, or to pack a sleeping bag. Because yes, some players sleep under the desk they're lent.
You’ll find competitions for Fortnite and League of Legends (of course) but also FIFA, Hearthstone tournaments and more. It’s mainly an opportunity to measure yourself against other players and, for a weekend, feel like a pro player. It’s also one of the best springboards to get noticed (if you’ve got pro level!).
LAN Parties are generally streamed on Twitch, which lets fans follow the competition comfortably from their couch. It is also possible to attend in person to watch live in the audience. It’s also often the chance to meet Streamers, who often take the opportunity to meet their fans.
Gamers Assembly: The best-known and most important of the French LANs. This year, it ran from April 20 to 22 at the Poitiers Exhibition Park. Created in 2000, its popularity has only grown, to the point that several editions are held each year, including a winter edition cleverly titled “Gamers Assembly Winter”!
Lyon Esport: It took place in Lyon from February 22 to 24 last year. If we remember it, it's mainly because its League of Legends tournament is one of the most renowned on the French semi-pro circuit, but also because it was the target of cyberattacks during the Fortnite tournament. Their response? Pretend that the tournament had been canceled, when it hadn't been streamed on Twitch, clever!
DreamHack Tour: Now we’re talking about a heavyweight in the global LAN circuit. DreamHack is originally a Swedish LAN, but since 2015, it has set up shop in Tours, to the delight of French players. The next edition will take place from May 17 to 19, 2019.
Z LAN: This one is special. It’s a LAN among friends streamed on Twitch. Organized by the streamer Zerator, who has more than 51 million views on his channel. This one will see around forty teams competing in various events, including World of Warcraft, Super Smash Bros Ultimate and... a dictation!