Or... "Advanced Networking Project" – well, let's be honest, it's a LAN Party! For those few who don't know the term,
it's an event where "Gamers", folks who spend (some of) their free time playing hi-tech Computer Games, gather in a place with their hardware,
and connect them over a LAN (Local Area Network) to play competitive games.
The landscapes depicted on high-resolution screens show scenes of battle and woe – and quickly the group of contestants was reduced in size to the last three.
Sam Fleming (Bits & Bytes) organized this meeting and was one of the three remaining players. He lived through triumph and despair, like all the others.
John Lang – Sam's opponent ("partner" doesn't seem to be the correct word for this kind of work relationship) ponders the events taking place on his screen.
The sound coming out of these headphones might actually distract from finding the right reply.
Jeff Davis, one of the last three, examines the display of his laptop showing his opponent's activities (which are mostly hostile in nature), ready to counter
with devastating effects.
One of the good things is that a variety of systems, from laptops to $5,000 gaming towers, can participate over one small router and interact spontaneously.
Laura J. White, faculty member of the CS department, accompanied the event, making sure no one got hurt, the prizes were where they were supposed to be and everyone had a great time.
Of course, apart from hardware most people can only dream of (if they actually dream of hardware, of course!), pizza and sodas are the key ingredients
for such an event – as long as you don't spill any sticky stuff over your mouse (or keyboard, for that matter).
Why does everything on a gamer's system spell "Ultra"? Admitted, one of those graphics cards costs more than a mere mortal's complete PC, but
wouldn't "Super" suffice... I see, it's not about understatement!
Interestingly enough, even though the participants are crammed together in a somewhat small (real) space, their encounters are taking place in areas
of continent size or estates in distant regions. And there is no need to look at your opponent, even if he sits right opposite of you.
All this wouldn't have been possible without help from the sponsors of this event: Overgoup Inc. (food and prizes),
Suncoast Computers (headphones) and Milton Computers (optical mice).
It was the first event of a series planned to be hosted by the CS department Bits & Bytes. Yes, we would have liked more participants, but the fun was difficult
to beat.
So, if you're a gamer in the Pensacola, Pace, Milton, Fort Walton area: watch this page for the announcement of the next event, then grab your gear and join!
We have the space, the people and the know-how – you just provide your box (oh yes, we have routers, too).
