Heading back to LAN parties

Hello fellow gamers! I have exciting news to share today. After 17 long years, I'm dusting off my competitive gaming gear and jumping back into the LAN party scene. The event catching my attention and tickling my nostalgic feels is none other than EnterLAN.
If you haven't heard of EnterLAN, get ready for an exhilarating ride. This event is a blast from the past, taking us back to the days of LAN parties. And while the memories of breaking into my boarding school's IT department for a late-night LAN party are still fresh (ahem, don't tell my headmaster), I'm eager to see how much more grand and polished the landscape has become.

[fs-toc-omit]Introducing EnterLAN

An old-school LAN party rebooted: The mastermind behind EnterLAN is none other than the remarkable content creator and professional gamer, Julia 'Bish' Robson (you can follow her latest updates on Twitter or Instagram). A trailblazer in the world of gaming, Julia wants to host EnterLAN with the same old-school spirit that made our early LAN parties so exciting. But this ain't your average RGB-lit basement gathering, my friends. This is an event drawing together some of the most enthusiastic and talented gamers from around the globe. This year, EnterLAN will take place in Cape Town.

[fs-toc-omit]EnterLAN - a ticket to gaming paradise

Wow, I have a tale to tell! My body might still be recalibrating from the weekend's excitement and the adrenaline coursing through my veins, but my spirit is still buzzing from the electrifying experience at EnterLAN.
First things first, the event was sold out. Yep, you read it right. EnterLAN was THE place to be, and the gaming community vindicated that. Proof? No tickets left to snag! The amazing vibes from all these gaming enthusiasts filled Cape Town in a way that only a sold-out LAN event can.

[fs-toc-omit]A warm welcome

An unforgettable moment was seeing Julia Robson at the entrance—our super friendly host and organizer—warmly welcoming every gamer making their way into the epicenter of the event. The entire EnterLAN's admin team deserves kudos as well—they were super congenial and ensured smooth sailing at every stage.
Speaking of the event, it was held at 'The Outlore Base' in Cape Town. And the moment you stepped foot inside, you could feel the pulse of enterprising excitement ripple through the mob of gamers on the proclamation of it being a BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer) event. And oh boy, did the venue shine bright with the rainbow of RGB colors emanating from the gaming rigs each gamer brought along! It was a spectre of the gaming universe right there in the heart of Cape Town.

The swag

Upon entry, each attendee received a goodie bag bursting with an enticing array of swag. The plethora of cool stickers from the sponsors, informative flyers, to even hygiene products like deodorant were all part of the package. Quite the hearty welcome, if you ask me!

What stood out was the camaraderie among the gamers. Most participants came in groups—coding clubs, university circles, neighborhood friends—which made the atmosphere much more familial and intimate. The event drew not only gaming aficionados but also popular content creators such as 'thebigtastybite' and 'RoBoHoBo' whose presence injected an additional layer of exhilaration.

[fs-toc-omit]Tournaments

While tons of games from different eras were played at the event, there were a few tournaments hosted and sponsored by several companies like ACGL. A lot of gamers participated in these, leading to fierce and intense battles, with Valorant and Call of Duty being popular picks. The sight was nothing short of awe-inspiring as every player was relentless and determined to secure that coveted win.

The sponsors

A shout-out to the sponsors is inevitable here: Carry1St, ACGL, Clear Access, Toyota Gaming, Redbull, Razer, Stub, Skullcandy, GatherIn and CoolerMaster—they played a stellar role in making this event a game-changer, literally! And, of course, we at GatherIn enjoyed every bit of the event, not just as a sponsor but enthusiastic participants too.

Our founder, Adrian Baussen had a great time with Microsoft Flight Simulator, War Thunder, and Party Animals— those were some fun sessions!

Behind the scenes

And surprise, surprise, to help you visualize what it was like at the EnterLAN event, we've compiled some footages into a video. So hop onto our Youtube channel to catch a glimpse of the unforgettable experience.

Final thoughts

Reflecting on the event, EnterLAN was not merely a gathering. It was an experience, and one that left an intense and lasting impression on all who were part of it. The word 'Fun' is too small to encapsulate the level of entertainment the event provided. It was phenomenal, a cool, entertaining, and meticulously organized event that managed to capture the essence of the long-forgotten LAN parties. We at GatherIn can't wait for the next event to take it all in—especially, the part where we get to join, participate, and sponsor such a well-conceived and perfectly executed event.

So, here's me signing off, reminiscing about the amazing weekend that was, and eagerly looking forward to what the next EnterLAN has in store! Watch out for the next series of updates. Until then... Game On!