This weekend will be a three-day holiday for gamers.

A Local Area Network (LAN) event will be hosted by Big Shot Gaming and Student Electronic Gaming Association staring at 8 p.m. today in Kulhavi 141, 142, 145 and 146. It will conclude Sunday morning.

Matt Hewitt, Big Shot Gaming treasurer and Charlotte alumnus, said Big Shot Gaming hosts a LAN event once each semester and has a lot to offer gamers.

“The LAN will be a mix of tournaments, free play, meals and giveaways,” he said. “It will be 36 hours of gaming and having loads of fun.”

Game tournaments will begin at 10 p.m. and will include Counterstrike: Source, Smash Bros. Brawl, Call of Duty 4, Wii Baseball, Starcraft, Mario Kart Double Dash, Guitar Hero III and a Peggle Challenge.

Hewitt said there will be more than $3,500 in prizes given to those who attend in addition to the console and PC tournaments.

Nevertheless, Hewitt said the event is a great way for gamers to socialize and display their modifications to their computers.

“Many of the computers have lights or other case mods. Some even have liquid cooling systems. Sometimes it is neat just to walk around and check out what everyone is running,” Hewitt said. “Some people get really into pimping out their cars; gamers tend to do the same thing with their computers.”

Saint Louis junior Tom Kubin is one of about 10 administrators responsible for planning and maintaining the event.

He said nearly all of the 120 seats available for pre-registration for the event have been filled.

Ticket costs will be $15 for those who pre-register and $20 at the door. Tickets include access to the event, along with three meals for Saturday.

“Historically, LAN attendance goes up with each event, and with more sponsorship than ever, we expect to have our largest event to date this weekend,” Kubin said.

He said the community aspect of the LAN event is part of what makes the weekend special.

“With the exception of when you have a few friends over, gaming can be a very independent experience, even when playing online,” Kubin said. “At a LAN party, you can actually communicate, meet and make friends with the people you are playing with.”

Hewitt said the LAN event should appeal to anyone who enjoys video games.

“I think there is something in it for all different types of gamers – from the casual gamer that just plays Wii Sports on occasion to the diehard first person shooter player,” he said.

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