In my personal experience, LAN parties are generally held in other peoples' houses, and they bring their own computers. But there's a building in my city that has a large, divided room that acts both as a LAN party dive and a comp repair/sales shop that I've looked at once or twice. I don't know if they're both run by the same person, but I think the computer shop would be an excellent way to keep the money flowing if LAN party business is slow.
Now, if there was a really cool LAN cafe nearby, me and my friends would probably actually travel and pay for it. Though preferences vary, here's some features of a LAN room I'd set up:
1. at least 8 workstations able and ready to play the latest games on moderate detail.
2. power strips on top of the *CLEAN* desks, for easy comp swapping should anybody bring their own computer.
3. UPS battery backup applied to each system.
4. empty, clean refrigerator for imported munchies. next to it, a soda vending machine. then, a microwave oven, sans pizza stains. maybe even a BBQ out back.
5. backup headphones, for the occasional dolt who forgets to bring his.
6. overhead projector, for the one elite uberninja who wants to show off his skills to the rest of the room...or for playing a movie in the background.
7. close access to tech support in case something gets screwed up. oh, yes. and parts. offer to sell a new mouse to the lamer who blames deaths on his own.
8. located near some kind of cheap restaurant with decent food, and a grocery store.
9. comfortable chairs.
10. solid network system, with all its tech information plastered on the walls.
11. hookups for console systems, should some Nintendo addict bring Mario Kart.
12. did I mention 'clean?'
Now for something really bonus: FRAPS and video compressors, so people can take their matches with them (if they aren't using their own systems).
Last edited by unnamednewbie13 (2006-03-04 23:09:51)