LAN: xLAN 2011

[img]http://www.on3network.co.nz/images/Arseynimz/xlan_announcement.jpg[/img]

With many questions being asked of what's happening for 2011, and the rumours of no xLAN occurring, I can officially finally confirm that xLAN 2011 is set for July 1st, 2nd and 3rd 2011 - mark it down. Do it. Right now!

For those not aware of what xLAN is, it is New Zealand's premium LAN event covering WCG qualifiers for New Zealand as well as being the main event that is waited on for New Zealand gaming. With attendance regularly over 600, and with over 15 tournaments available over the LAN weekend in the past, this year is set to get itself to the same dizzying heights!

ON3 Network (http://www.on3network.co.nz) now hosts this event, and their site is filled with all the information you need, and where it's not, it will be very soon given xlan.co.nz is now a landing page for basic redirection to the appropriate areas on the ON3 Network site due to aged and problematic software that was the old xlan site being archived. Portions of this software will be shifted to ON3 over the coming weeks, but for the main part we will be setting up our own modules for you to use in your LAN and event investigations and ventures in New Zealand.

So the vital questions:

Where's it all happening?
We're off to the Logan Campbell Centre at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland. A change of venue brings a new layout, new options, and new challenges as well. But the area still holds a number of dining options, a lot of accommodation options, and is in a very good location. Parking will be free for all attendees, and the venue has confirmed caterers for the weekend including a bar for those of the right age at allocated times over the weekend!

What tournaments?
These will be announced over the coming weeks, but we can categorically confirm the following tournaments will be running at xLAN 2011:
Starcraft 2
Counter-Strike 1.6 (NZ WCG Qualifier)
Counter-Strike: Source
Quake Live
Call of Duty (Black Ops or CoD4: Modern Warfare TBC)

So what changes are we going to see?
The format and set up of xLAN is a very solid model - this will not be changed, but will be tweaked. In addition we will be adding some new features based on feedback we have received that will allow an overall better, different, and more comfortable LAN experience!

1. PC only - yep, that's right, no console attendees at this first event as a second dedicated event will be held later in July to run the console side of xLAN primarily due to the shift in holiday terms with the Rugby World Cup, and the bulk of console attendees being 16-21 means a number of them will not quite be inside the holiday window for July 1st-3rd. Consolers can attend the PC event and then attend the console event at no extra cost, else the two events will run independently.
2. Upgrade options! - we had people asking for more space and some differing options to allow them better facilities. We have fulfilled this with 3 ticket options - Standard, Standard with an Upgrade, and Premium. Think of it like Economy, Premium Economy and Business class for those familiar with an airline analogy.
Standard - your regular ticket with all the features you'd expect including a network port, power point, seating for three days, and tournament entry.
Upgrade - takes your standard ticket and gives it a jab in the arm by allowing more space, and a few more bonuses.
Premium - kicks your standard ticket to the touch line, and beefs up your LAN experience to the max. More space, your own seat, multi-monitor, R18 just to name a few!
Tickets will be limited to 92 in the premium area, and 525 in the main arena given the slightly smaller venue. We have facility to potentially create more seating, and indeed can easily drop seating numbers to allow for a little extra room at the venue - so if we sell out, AWESOME, if not, we got it sorted!
3. One stage - multiple stages actually meant that a number of main stage games were not viewed, albeit they were in a much more extravagant arena. There were some large matches on the main stage that shouldn't be missed, and there were a lot of good matches on the secondary stage that saw awesome crowds. The Logan Campbell Centre is primarily a stage arena facility, so no matter where you sit, you will easily be able to see what is going on up on the main stage. With it being raised above the main floor, the sound (for which the volume will be lowered and limited this year) will carry right over the top of you as an attendee. With Gamestah in attendance once again, a live stream of the weekend's affairs will be available for all, and this will be broadcast 24/7 for the weekend!
4. Communication - We'll have the projectors back, and it will be available on the walls throughout the event to keep you up to date. But carrying on from last year's feedback, communication regarding any major issues, requirements, patches, updates etc was a priority, and the network team has done a sterling job at developing an xLAN Chat Client! A non-invasive little tool that will run across the xLAN network and allow you to speak to admins, helpdesk, and other attendees without the need to have people on your MSN, Steam or xfire client.
5. Tournaments are free - yeah we admit it, it was a dumb idea to make you pay per tournament. So all tournaments are free, and yes you can still play in more than one - as long as your time allows! As a back up to this, yes teams will still be allowed more than the standard team sizes to cover for subs once again, but they will have to purchase their own ticket - swapping of lanyards or ID tags during the event is not allowed.

So, what now?
For those of you who are keen enough, the ON3 Store is now open for you to purchase your tickets!!!!. We will take Credit Card as payment through Paypal at no extra cost to you (another option we were asked for!), and of course you can feel free to pay by direct credit as per usual.

We will have a registration tool for you to register interest in the event to let everyone know you're coming very soon and following that will be the ability to register for a tournament and allocate yourself to a team, or create a team.

If you want to make block bookings, then please contact Arseynimz, and I will be able to assist with making this as easy as possible!