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room101.org main news darkside lan no more .......

09/04/2005

darkside lan no more .......

14949 views | 15 replies

BioHazRd Richard Smith I stole Mindphucks Donkey posts : 209 lans : 18 site administrator please read the whole post as it took me a while to put it together first, let me start by asking a question. what have these people got in common ? cyruss, an1m4l, brock, cina, clinicalwaste, dazz, edmyster, fionn_mc_cool, h2k, itchyleper, jammer, jaysonia, jonnybadd, liken, negev, paul, razieldoomgate, revo, s0l, tr1pod, valdez and vevex ............. they all signed up for the darkside xiii lan, and didn't bother their arses showing up, or, when they realised they werent coming, didn't tell anyone that they werent going to make it. some people had the decency to post either on boards.ie, or room101 to let us know, and for that, i am grateful. it is nice to see good manners still exist. i will be straight with you when i tell you i personally lost money on this lan (a substantial amount - that would have gone a long way to improving our existing servers, many of which are well beyond their sell-by-date). i also lost money on the previous lan, for exactly the same reason. each time i run a lan, i have to pay for the hall, tables, chairs and cleaning (lanners can be a little messy, you know). thankfully, the hall is a fixed cost to me, but the number of tables and chairs depends on how many people are coming to the lan. i usually book and pay for the tables approximately 10 days before the lan, so that i can match my numbers. it costs me approximately ten euros per gamer to provide a seat, and table space (without hall rental), and this must be paid in advance. if i see the numbers at a particular figure, that determines how many tables and chairs i hire. after all, there is no point hiring too many, is there ? add in the cost of rent and cleaning, and the cost to me, per attendee rises. i then have to hope i get enough attendees to cover my costs, and if i am lucky, make a slight profit to fund new equipment. so, why should i continue forking money out of my pocket, to provide a damn good weekend's entertainment for those who actually show up. don't get me wrong, i don't begrudge these people having a good time, i feel it is my duty to ensure they have a good time. i know i haven't pleased everybody over the (almost) 4 years i have been running darkside, but even i can't do that. but i would like to think that overall, it has been a good laugh for those who have attended. it has been for me, and i have made a large number of friends through the lan scene in ireland, and i believe the same can be said for all the regulars at darkside lans. for me, it has been a positive experience up to now. i have been toying with the idea of making it a requirement that everybody pre-pay, be it via pay-pal, or another method. my thought was that a deposit would suffice. at least if somebody didn't show, i would have my costs for that person covered. i remain to be convinced that this is a viable way forward. i may be cynical, but i believe it may actually deter some people from signing up, and we would end up with reduced (but guaranteed) numbers. as a result of this, it is with great reluctance, i have decided to call a halt to the darkside lan. this has been a very difficult decision for me, as i know it will disappoint a lot of people, many of whom i now call friends. i will also have to disappoint all of my sponsors - some of whom were discussing some exciting new ideas with us for future events. i am also concerned about the future of lan gaming in ireland, as the factors that brought me to this decision, also affect them. how they deal with this issue is up to them, and i sincerely hope that no other lan has to stop because certain people take them for granted, and can't be bothered supporting people who spend a huge amount of personal time and money trying to provide a bit of fun and entertainment. i would like to finish by thanking the team that have built up around darkside, legion, ronin, snaga and all the others who helped over the years, spooky, ak47, globalkiller and others. i would love to name all the gamers who have made the darkside what it was, but, you are too numerous to mention, and this post would resemble an oscar speech. however, there is one person who deserves a special mention - mindphuck. he has been at the heart of the lan gaming scene in ireland for a long time now, and has put huge effort in keeping it a vibrant and exciting community. he knows what it is like to run a lan and lose money - and yet he is still as enthusiastic as ever about the lan scene. if this enthusiasm ever wanes, as mine has, i am afraid it will be a very bad day indeed for irish lans. to be honest, the only losers here are the gamers - and the people to blame, include the list of people i have named above. thank you for the good times, and maybe we will meet at some lan in the future. biohazrd

09/04/2005 19:54 #1 SyxPak John Coleman Net Tech posts : 278 lans : 22 site administrator The scene has lost a star.

09/05/2005 09:29 #2 Wookie5 Jay posts : 28 lans : 17 Thanks for the good times. Really is a pity DS is finished. But before you finsh would you not give it one last shot... throw it up and see how many sign up. I for one wouldnt mind prepaying a deposit to cover my seat in the event I cant make it. I think this LAN suffered lack of attendence becuae of ppl on hols, college starting back paying fee's etc. SO for the love of jeabus give it one last try.

09/05/2005 12:04 #3 MindPhuck Eric Mooney Im drinking room101 donations!! muhahaw! posts : 280 lans : 18 pics : 16 site owner I wasn't sure how to reply to this news, I have some mixed feelings. Disappointment, understanding and anger are three things that spring to mind. Richard told me personally on Saturday night about his intentions and his reasons behind it. I have to totally agree with him and fully support his decision to close the Darkside doors. While its BioHazrd, Legion, Ronin, Snaga and co, that are loosing out on overhead costs, time and energy, the actual people that are really loosing out are the gamers themselves, especially the regular people who have come to love and enjoy the style of LAN that makes the Darkside. The whole concept and idea of a LAN, is that it’s a place for internet gamers to meet other gamers and put the names to the faces. The added part to this, is so that gamers who didn't have decent connects or didn't want to suffer the hell of lag could come together and play. Have a bit of a laugh and perhaps get to know these people and try and make a couple of friends along the way. The fact that you are there to game with those people, even with a few competitions thrown in, is an added bonus. Its all about getting to know people. If you missed that whole idea, then you don’t know what true LANS are about. Put all that together and that’s pretty much what your going to miss out with Darkside gone. A few people have twists, variations and ideas of their own as to what LANS are about, but please, stop, your not even in the same ballpark or even on the same playing field. Sure broadband is ripe in Ireland, its the main reason that there is a downfall of Internet cafes around the country, LANS are a whole different kettle of fish to Cafes. Some people are saying that’s why there was a lack of people at Darkside. That’s all very well, and to be honest, it’s a very good point to be discussed another time, but it doesn't really take away from the fact that people signed up and committed themselves to going to the LAN and didn’t not have the god damn common courtesy to even tell the Darkside guys that they were not going to attend. You people should at least stand up and apologise for the heartache that you have caused and also for spoiling it for the rest of the gamers. Some of you no-showers have had the decency to tell Richard and Co. that you couldn't make it. Fair play to you. People will at least respect you for your apology. I mean that, honestly. Nobody minds people not showing as long as the organisers are told so before hand and are not left having for fork out cash. Let me just add, people like Valdez - man you have some fcuking nerve leaving/not showing at Darkside. And then in you waltz, insulting him further by blatently pimping your LAN in the middle of him telling people about a decision he's had to make because of people like you. The amazing part is, your intending to run a LAN yourself and you have the balls to ask people to go to your LAN. Man you have some cheek to think that people will support your LAN after that. I have utmost respect for all (and I do mean ALL) LAN organisers, but you sir are a muppet. As for Deadwing, man, you need an assh0le re-adjustment. Its not that you didn't show, its that you didn't tell anyone and then come onto these forums and have a c0ck sucking attitude that you think your above everyone. You certainly didn't give Darkside a chance because it was a great laugh. In fact, it was probably better after you left! You’re the type of person that makes me annoyed. So annoyed that I'm thinking about using that 'banned user' feature both on room101.org and this forum on boards.ie so you will not be able to sign up for any LAN if I have anything to do with it. Sure they can remove me as an admin here, off you go, go ask Devore and company to ban me - see how sympathetic they will be about you not showing up at LANs, costing people money and having such a twat attitude about it - he's run few himself so he knows the pain of people not telling him their not going to show. Either way, you’re a d1ck. I suggest you don’t make it my personal mission in life to ensure that other LAN organisers are aware of your kind. Its people like you with that selfish know-it-alls is why Richard has closed the doors of Darkside. Oh I could go on here, but please, find me at the next LAN (if your let in) and I'll tell you personally how I feel. A$$h0le. ..sigh.. And exhale….. I really would like to thank the Darkside staff for all the fun memories and helping me meet some nice people and making some good friends. I hope you will reconsider and run future Darksides. Make them pre-pay and smaller, select numbers. In the mean time, chin up lads, just look at all the support people are giving you and you know that you are really appreciated.

09/05/2005 12:15 #4 oddball john o' neill hippie posts : 15 lans : 16 Be a shame to see darkside go . Try one more time Bio . . .

09/05/2005 12:51 #5 DrAgUlA David Warrington i pwn noobs just like Overlord posts : 53 lans : 16 wow, i know i for one will miss attending, but more so i'll miss seeing some friendly faces, and gettin to know others,if it wasnt 4 LAN's like DS i nvr would have met people like PPC, or bio, or snaga or MindPhuck, or any of the other weirdo's out there.any way i have nothing else to add,it's gonna leave a bit hole in the irish scene, and rich if you want some donation's i'd be more then happy to give ya a ton

09/05/2005 18:13 #6 Legion Dave Hibbits Eric IS a Daddy posts : 97 lans : 15 administrator ..im hurt and insulted that you never mentioned me,what about ME ME ME ! or does it go without saying On a more serious note I cant speak for Richard but we shall see about 1 more go...its very much on the no side at the moment I reckon, people are still hurting not only from XII but XI also. Dave.

09/05/2005 19:09 #7 jed1 Tom posts : 9 lans : 4 I too would hate to see the Darkside lans close up shop. Like some of the other lads I'd be well willing to pay up front via paypal. I think that lans in ireland are going to have to go this way. I have a few ideas that might create more interest. I think the lan scene is split into 2 segments. 1 segment made up of semi serious gamers that go to lans to take on the best in ireland and others that love to go to lans to meet online buddies face to face and have a laugh. So a successful lan will cater for both these groups. I personally love the competitions at LAN's but i find that sometimes you dont knwo what the comps are going to be before you attend the lan. I think that if you advertise the comps more before the lan it will create alot more interest. for example: Who are the best 2v2 players in ireland??? 2v2 UT2K4 comp. Enter you own team. Maps: Rankin, Idoma, Osiris-2, etc etc. People that are big into UT2K4 will instantly go man that looks sweet. Then Open a thread on Boards.ie and let the slagging begin. It creates a big interest and you'll have all the top UT2K4 players atttending to prove there the no.1 2v2 team. Like If I went onot boards.ie and said that Myself and BK as a team could beat any 2v2 team in Ireland I guarentee every UT2K4 player will be there to try and stop us. But already its got people interested. The same can be done with other games. UT Instagib, CS 5v5, COD 4v4 head quarters, Warcraft, whatever. For all the other gamers there can be servers set up with various mods. Invasion for UT, or Instagib server, CS server, quake3 clan arena server. What you could do then is every 2/3 hours rotate the games with an announcement over mic. I find what happens at lans is people end up spliting into small groups and the atmosphere kind of subsides. By announcing that Quake3 CTF is starting in 5 mins everyone in the hall if interested in the game heads over and gives that a bash. Anyway I'd hate to see you guys close up shop. If there is any help needed for any future lans feel free to give us a shout. There plenty willing to give a helping hand. I hope this is not the last we'll see of you lads. jedi

09/05/2005 21:40 #8 Legion Dave Hibbits Eric IS a Daddy posts : 97 lans : 15 administrator " and rich if you want some donation's i'd be more then happy to give ya a ton " Im speechless dave, did'nt see that in your original post m8, i think you've giving enough to Darkside's over the years. PSSSSSSST Rich take the cash and well go for beers

09/05/2005 22:50 #9 Voo_doo David Murphy posts : 1 lans : 1 was my first time at Darkside, really enjoyed it, superbly ran, Its not on signing up and then not showing, the amount of time and effort the organisers must spend setting the lan up must be incredible and for people to treat them like that is a disgrace. If you do decide to host another Darkside I'll be first in line to sign up AND ATTEND!

09/06/2005 11:19 #10 CombatCow Colm Gallagher none posts : 10 lans : 12 aww thats sad news indeed, my first lan was a darkside...it will be sad to see it stopped...it was such a fun lan, every time. If ye could throw around the idea of one last lan i think that would be sweet. *sniff CC

09/10/2005 13:20 #11 spooky donkey barry kelly ive got broadband - i dont need no stinking lans posts : 59 lans : 18 Sad to see it go. It had a good run while it lasted.

09/12/2005 11:34 #12 Sniipe Rory Carroll Sooo.... really? clan : irish kake posts : 354 lans : 18 pics : 1 site administrator ive donated to room101.org! Jed1 is dead right. The lan scene is split into 2 segments. I for one love the compos. Knowing the map and format that is being played is great for the bigger players to come along. Ad-Hoc tournaments are great aswell, these being the fun tournaments. The lans do need to be bigger; 90 ppl with great organisation is what is needed. I don't know about others but prizes are not that important to me. Its all about taking part for me and meeting people.

22/09/2005 13:58 #13 Jazzy Andrew A gangsta rapper of love posts : 7 lans : 5 Jedi and BK the two best UT players!!! pfft.... Nag and Chosen ftw tbh ) but yeah Jedi is dead right, LANs need to be alot more specific about their competitions then before were u just knew there was going to be a comp of a certain game. it would add alot more to the compos and really put the pressure on the top players if they knew wat they were going up against before they got there

26/09/2005 08:39 #14 melachi Rick Sundberg fuck dat posts : 32 lans : 13 q4q4q4q4q4q44q4q4q4q4q4q4q4q4q4q4q q4q4q4q4q4q

22/09/2006 21:49 #15 Itchy_Leper Karl Deeter posts : 1 lans : 2 Hi Richard, i did email you to let you know i wouldnt be there. i hated the fact that at the previous Lan people jazzed sorry, i mean f"£ked it up by booking and not showing up. as i suck at the games i guess my only claim to fame is appearing on the f"£k you list but on this occasion im innocent! itchy leper

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