DoD LAN (Part 2)

Sears · Post by **Sears** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 2:28 pm

So, I've had a little bit of email correspondence with representatives from pdxlan, intel, and nvidia. And the prognosis is quite a bit better than what I was expecting.

They seem open to helping out with prizes (in the form of merchandise), as well as potentially donating cash to a prize pool and support in running an event if our number are high enough. They do this kind of sponsorship often, so they have a pretty standard system that they operate on as far as how much assistance they can offer.

Given the nostalgia of this community, and of what an event like this would bring, they also forwarded my correspondence to representatives they know at Valve (I didn't even think of this, I wonder if Valve even know people still pay 1.3). The downside to trying to find sponsors for a community like ours, is that we are so small, and that our game is so old. Pushing the nostalgia factor, and the "one last big tournament" factor, is one way we might be able to overcome this disadvantage.

Basically, we have 2 options. Both of these events would be at least a year out from today.

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Option 1:
We do a smaller LAN, hosted at a lan center (like web2zone, socal lan, etc). For this we are looking at a minimum of 8 full teams (50 players). If we went for something like this, it is possible that we could get some cool prizes donated to the cause (cpu's, graphics cards, swag, etc), but not a whole lot of other support. The other downside to this, is that we have to use the money we raise on registration to rent a lan center for the day (at least $2000), and we have to cram the whole LAN into one day.

This is a viable option if we simply can't get more than 50 people to pre-register (pay), but everyone I've talked to about our situation as a community thinks we ought to shoot for option 2 first, and fall back on this if we deem necessary.

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Option 2:
Sponsors of all sizes are more willing to help out if the event has a bigger audience. If there was any way for us to get 16 teams (100 players), or even 32 teams (200 players) to commit to an event, then we are in a whole different ball game. If we can meet the 100 player mark, then not only are we looking at merchandise sponsorship as an option, but also assistance in prize pool donation, and cost of running an event.

This type of event would be BYOC (with 12 tournament PC's provided by pdxlan/nvidia), and take place at an all-in-one location (hotel + conference center), over the course of an entire weekend Friday Night, Saturday, through Sunday afternoon.

Now, we aren't talking giant CPL here, but in the event that we can get 100+ players, hosting a LAN at a smaller hotel is well within reason given help from sponsors (Think of a Holiday-Inn Express with a small-medium sized event room).

This type of event obviously would require exponentially more planning, and take a great deal of time and effort, and obviously be the largest LAN that the DoD community has ever attempted to host on our own, but all parties that I have talked to have recommended we shoot for the moon.

Registration for such an event would probably be about $75 per player, and there would be discounted group rates on hotel rooms.

I'm willing to put some money into something like this myself if there is demand for it, but I obviously cannot finance the whole thing on my own. (I'm lucky and I make good money, but I'm not the 1%)

This would take a prolonged and dedicated group effort by the community.

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I'm not sure yet whats the best route to go.

I think it would be really awesome if we spent the next year planning a totally ridiculous FINAL DoD 1.3 tournament for all past and present players. But, I also doubt our ability as a community to rally up old players to show up.

This would require geting help from sponsors, which means getting 100+ people, as well as taking on the planning the logistics of a much larger, and self-contained event.

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a hypothetical if you will:

Day of Defeat 1.3 Finale hosted by 1911, tpg, pdxlan, nvidia, intel, others etc.

December 28-30, 2012

Holiday Inn Express
AUSTIN NORTH CENTRAL
8500 IH-35 NORTH AUSTIN, TEXAS

$10,000 Prize Pool - $6,000 1st Place, $3,000 2nd Place, $1,000 3rd Place
Raffle prizes from Intel, Nvidia, etc...

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As unbelievable as this seems, if we can get that 100+ player mark, and a year to plan for this, this is actually quite possible.

Thoughts? Would you come? Know any past players that would?

kirk · Post by **kirk** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 2:37 pm

I think aiming for 100+ players for a BYOC is difficult. It'd be one thing to aim for 100+ if we were using a center's computers. BYOC kind of changes everything.

Polak · Post by **Polak** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 2:38 pm

Maybe you should open up a donation link or whatever the hell they are called.

I would donate 100 bucks to the cause (maybe even more, I really want to see one more lan happen) and maybe if others did, it wouldn't be that difficult to rent out a lan center for 4000 dollars.

Let me know if there's anyway I can help eric.

Polak · Post by **Polak** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 2:43 pm

Polak wrote:HOLY SHIT moosh got married?

YOU DIDN'T INVITE ME???

big surprise bro

My daughter is my avatar, Rob.

Oh my shes adorable!!!! She kinda reminds me of the girl from those awesome windows seven commercials.

kirk · Post by **kirk** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 2:46 pm

moosh wrote:BYOLaptop.

Brb buying a laptop for a LAN!

Sears, my main points of concern:

1) BYOC - for people who intended to fly, this makes it really tough.
2) Planning it 12 months from now might make people wary to register. After all, how many people know where they'll be in a year from now?

Polak · Post by **Polak** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 2:50 pm

I don't like the idea of a BYOC and I really really really really don't care about a huge prize pool. That's going to take some fun out of it. Cause then I'm going to threaten jaggon ryan and tox if they dont let me on a team with them. I can be scary.

Sears · Post by **Sears** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 2:51 pm

alex kirk wrote:I think aiming for 100+ players for a BYOC is difficult. It'd be one thing to aim for 100+ if we were using a center's computers. BYOC kind of changes everything.

This is where sponsors come in, if we hit that 100 player mark, it's possible to get 12 tournament computers brought to the LAN from nvidia/pdxlan (they have a team that does this all the time).

I'm not saying this wouldn't be difficult. This would a lot of work over the course of a year to pull off.

The problem I'm running into with LAN centers, is that there aren't many of them left anymore, especially in ideal locations, and they are hurting financially. The cost of renting one out for one day isn't all that much less than option 2.

scorch- · Post by **scorch-** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 2:53 pm

Very cool, Eric. I like the effort and hope you get a lot of people involved and excited about this.

Obviously if enough people want to play that we can have a big BYOC tournament, I'd be happy to help out in whatever capacity I'm able and would likely make the trip.

Spoiler: show

kirk · Post by **kirk** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 2:56 pm

Sears wrote:This is where sponsors come in, if we hit that 100 player mark, it's possible to get 12 tournament computers brought to the LAN from nvidia/pdxlan (they have a team that does this all the time).

I'm not saying this wouldn't be difficult. This would a lot of work over the course of a year to pull off.

The problem I'm running into with LAN centers, is that there aren't many of them left anymore, especially in ideal, and they are hurting financially. The cost of renting one out for one day isn't all that much less than option 2.

That'd be amazing if we could pull that off. If it's a BYOC and too far to drive in a day's time, then I somehow doubt I'd be able to participate. I imagine lots of people might feel the same way, but of course that's just an assumption. I think a significant number of people would be turned off by the idea of flying across the country with their computer equipment (for those who have desktops).

moosh wrote:True, but i'd say generally the age group of the community has us at an age of being fairly stable, or leeching off parents while going to school. Very general statement though. I may just be subconsciously thinking of Schmiggs and DRUGS aka GSKILL.

Speak for yourself! I'm hoping to be in grad school this time next year. I'll be poor as shit D:

Polak, gimme some money 4 dis.

scorch- · Post by **scorch-** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:00 pm

spoilers @ #1C1C1C fyi, since this forum doesn't have spoiler tags apparently :>

Sears · Post by **Sears** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:04 pm

Polak wrote:Maybe you should open up a donation link or whatever the hell they are called.

I would donate 100 bucks to the cause (maybe even more, I really want to see one more lan happen) and maybe if others did, it wouldn't be that difficult to rent out a lan center for 4000 dollars.

Let me know if there's anyway I can help eric.

If the community response to this is well received, I'm going to start the process of converting 1911 to a 501(c)(7) non-profit organization (I do this all the time for work).

I can't accept any donations at the moment, because 1911 as an entity is a sole-proprietorship, and I would have to pay personal income tax on any money that you would give me.

So, I'll get back to you on that.

ryanemo · Post by **ryanemo** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:05 pm

ummm...isnt the world ending on December 22nd? we should shoot for earlier then that so we can do this before we all die.

kirk · Post by **kirk** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:07 pm

moosh wrote:I said i was being general. I'm set to change commands in february to recruiting in the San Francisco District, but it stretches from Napa Valley to just north of Bakersfield, CA. I have no idea where i'm going yet. I'm nervous.

Business in SF booming since DADT was repealed?

scorch- · Post by **scorch-** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:08 pm

moosh wrote:
scorch- wrote:spoilers @ #1C1C1C fyi, since this forum doesn't have spoiler tags apparently :>
Dan, wut?

If you want to spoiler something, change the font colour (sic) to 1C1C1C and it will be the same color as the default theme (I think, unless you can read the colored text in my post above in which case, lol I'm dumb). People will have to highlight the text to read it.

Sears · Post by **Sears** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:08 pm

scorch- wrote:spoilers @ #1C1C1C fyi, since this forum doesn't have spoiler tags apparently :>

hang on, I'll code one in real quick.

Edit: Ok should be up and running, I'll fix the colors later when I'm not supposed to be working.

Spoiler: show

joeledmunds · Post by **joeledmunds** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:12 pm

I am 100% on board for this big LAN thing. I live in Eastern Canada, so it would be a loit more worthwhile for me to come to something like this. I realize the problems with getting everything organized in even a year, but I feel that the end of summer is always the best time for something like this. However, I understand the time constraints with working out something like this. Either way, I'm totally down. Now that I'm out of school and making money, it's actually affordable for me to make the trip. Hope this works out.

Sears · Post by **Sears** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:15 pm

scorch- wrote:Very cool, Eric. I like the effort and hope you get a lot of people involved and excited about this.

Obviously if enough people want to play that we can have a big BYOC tournament, I'd be happy to help out in whatever capacity I'm able and would likely make the trip.

Spoiler: show
I have a hard time thinking that the 16-team event would ever happen, but I don't want to be one of those LOLDODISDEAD idiots. Looking at the number of people that signed up for the draft league though, and dividing by 50%, I think 8 teams is about the most you can expect to get for a LAN event in Texas, and I think that's on the high end. At all of the past LAN events, with the exception of the CPL/WSVG events, at least 50% of the teams have been local within 3-4 hours driving distance with 1-4 of the teams travelling long distances to play. An Austin LAN for more than 8 teams would be relying on having the majority of the teams travelling halfway across the country to play. I think that's a stretch unless I'm mistaken and there are like 5+ teams in the Austin area.

Totally agree, Austin was a totally random hypothetical. There would be a lot of analytics that would go into choosing a location for an event, and if we were going for an option 2 event, we would be reliant on a ton of past players re-surfacing to pull it off.

Polak · Post by **Polak** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:32 pm

Polak, gimme some money 4 dis.

WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED YOU WOULD SAY THIS????? COMING FROM THE PERSON WHOSE ALL ABOUT THE OCCUPY MOVEMENT!!!!!

AND YOUR GOING TO GRAD SCHOOL!?!?!??!?!??!?!?

wait, let me guess. YOUR GOING TO GET A MASTERS IN LIBERAL ARTS!?!?!? or maybe photography??? oh shit ART!?!?!?

and moosh I actually checked out the nuclear program considering I have a BS in electrical engineering. I just hate the idea of being on a boat or a submarine for a while. If I ever decide to go into the military through OCS it would probably be the air force.

How them EA-18G Growlers doing? I work on big part of its communications at me job a while ago.

Sears · Post by **Sears** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:34 pm

moosh wrote:Just FYI on vegas.... Flights next october (as far as i could go) from Nova Scotia to vegas are 724 dollars. Flight prices change, deals come in, but thats still a lot.

Yeah that doesn't surprise me from nova scotia.

At this phase, I'm mostly just trying to figure out what the best way to go about this is. Like I said, it is really slim pickings as far as lan centers go, and most of them are hurting financially so I don't want to commit to one and then have it shutdown in the meantime.

As we move forward, I'll be doing a lot of analytics as far as figuring out the most cost-effective location for this, whether we are looking for a lan center or otherwise, the potential location is wide open at present.

Polak · Post by **Polak** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:35 pm

Just do what you can sears, your obv the voice for this community.

mogers · Post by **mogers** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:37 pm

Eric,

Whenever I set up and hosted the KY Lan I was able to get sponsors from Ventrilo and Server Companies. As well as companies that make computer parts like ThermalTake and SteelSeries. I think I actually still have all of my correspondances with all of these companies and could give you some contact info possibly. I also still have the website that my friend Loonar made for registration that was sick. You might be able to edit it and make it work for this event. Let's talk sometime and see if I can help in any way.

defrag · Post by **defrag** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:41 pm

I haven't seen quite a few of you guys since the So Cal lans, and it would be a blast. I am sure I could hit up some of the og dod players and convince them to come back for a final run. I see a few of you poking your heads out here and there.

Vegas is a nice venue, and with the winter time here, it brings in the best deals for hotel rooms, it wouldn't be a bad idea to consider it.

I see 3h making an appearance.

Also, if byoc is an issue for some people, I have piles of older systems (10+) that I am sure would easily run DoD at a solid 80+ fps. If anything, those in the most need could bring their video cards/keyboard/mouse with them to ensure quality FPS during their playing time. Monitors would be an issue though. (this is assuming we do it within driving distance from socal)

I remember us setting up a lan in darkrabbi's living room and running CAT5 all over the damn house. Ron got us all baked. Ah the good ol days

On a side note though, I have a friend whos family owns a "Days Inn" out here in So Cal. They recently remodeled it as well. Might not have the entertainment venue you would be looking for, but figured I would throw it out there as it could make things more cost effective (except for those on the east coast, but who doesn't love cali)

Sears · Post by **Sears** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:41 pm

moosh wrote:Do hotels these days have deals with airlines for reductions on flights and lodging if you use airline A and stay at hotel B?

Yes they do. In theory, in the event that we were to get 501(c)(7) status, we could work with a travel agent to negotiate an all-in-one price. But more than likely, a big group discount on lodging at the event, and a promo-code to use for a % discount when purchasing a plane ticket via specific airlines.

Sears · Post by **Sears** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:42 pm

mogers wrote:Eric,

Whenever I set up and hosted the KY Lan I was able to get sponsors from Ventrilo and Server Companies. As well as companies that make computer parts like ThermalTake and SteelSeries. I think I actually still have all of my correspondances with all of these companies and could give you some contact info possibly. I also still have the website that my friend Loonar made for registration that was sick. You might be able to edit it and make it work for this event. Let's talk sometime and see if I can help in any way.

Awesome, lets do that.

kirk · Post by **kirk** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:43 pm

Polak wrote:WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED YOU WOULD SAY THIS????? COMING FROM THE PERSON WHOSE ALL ABOUT THE OCCUPY MOVEMENT!!!!!

AND YOUR GOING TO GRAD SCHOOL!?!?!??!?!??!?!?

wait, let me guess. YOUR GOING TO GET A MASTERS IN LIBERAL ARTS!?!?!? or maybe photography??? oh shit ART!?!?!?

Doctorate in clinical neuropsychology/behavioral neuroscience. I'll pay you back in like, 8 years. You know I'm good for it, bro.

Sears · Post by **Sears** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:43 pm

defrag wrote:On a side note though, I have a friend whos family owns a "Days Inn" out here in So Cal. They recently remodeled it as well. Might not have the entertainment venue you would be looking for, but figured I would throw it out there as it could make things more cost effective (except for those on the east coast, but who doesn't love cali)

We are a long ways out from coming up with a location, but the Days Inn is just as likely as vegas right now as far as I'm concerned.

defrag · Post by **defrag** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:50 pm

Sears wrote:We are a long ways out from coming up with a location, but the Days Inn is just as likely as vegas right now as far as I'm concerned.

That's why I figured I'd throw it out early on so we can have it on the table when the times comes around. We should have a vent discussion with anyone and everyone who would like to contribute to making this happen. If you can get as many people on vent that were on watching the tpg finals, you might have a good shot.

kirk · Post by **kirk** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:50 pm

defrag wrote:That's why I figured I'd throw it out early on so we can have it on the table when the times comes around. We should have a vent discussion with anyone and everyone who would like to contribute to making this happen. If you can get as many people on vent that were on watching the tpg finals, you might have a good shot.

Lettuce be real tea: a lot of their opinions would mean very little.

k4b00m · Post by **k4b00m** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:54 pm

For what it's worth, I am so down for whatever location you decide on. Went to w2z and it was fun minus playing 1 match ( f u Till )

If it's west coast I'm sure I could assemble a dpk lan team ( lol ) since most of the original guys live in cali/somewhere on the west coast.

billbsod · Post by **billbsod** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:55 pm

Wait, pdxlan is the lan at the convention center off mlk in Portland, right? or am I way off track? They are hosting a LAN in TX? i'm so confused.

If it's in Portland count me in, if not (which I doubt it would be if the hotel is in TX) then have a fun time guys.

Sears · Post by **Sears** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 4:00 pm

billbsod wrote:Wait, pdxlan is the lan at the convention center off mlk in Portland, right? or am I way off track? They are hosting a LAN in TX? i'm so confused.

If it's in Portland count me in, if not (which I doubt it would be if the hotel is in TX) then have a fun time guys.

Sorry about the confusion. PDXLAN is based in Portland, but they staff LANs for nvidia all over the country every year (Example: Geforce Lan). When nvidia has a LAN that they want to put on, they hire the staff from pdxlan to go run it for them.

I've been to several past pdxlan's and have gotten to know some of their staff quite well, and they are offering to help out in putting on our event in anyway that they can.

That being said, given how far away Portland is from the 1.3 player base, I think it's highly unlikely that we will ever consider trying to throw this event at an upcoming pdxlan.

Polak · Post by **Polak** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 4:03 pm

clinical neuropsychology/behavioral neuroscience

your getting a phd in psychology, *clap clap* your a potato

aLpha.cn-[tang] · Post by **aLpha.cn-[tang]** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 4:04 pm

I'm down to participate depending on whether or not I can get time off of work.

I agree with the people saying that 100+ people isn't very sound at this point in the community's life. From what I've seen (and I haven't seen all that much, so correct me if I'm wrong), we only have around like 50-60 people actively playing in 12mans and leagues. Whether that would change if a LAN opportunity presents itself, I don't know...

What happened to the Vegas LAN idea? That sounded feasible and it's somewhere where people can do things outside of the LAN. I'm fairly confident that most of the people in this community are 21+ (even though their maturity may not reflect that) considering the game itself is 7 years old already and there are bound to be ball pens somewhere for those under 21.

kirk · Post by **kirk** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 4:05 pm

Polak wrote:your getting a phd in psychology, *clap clap* your a potato

I don't know what that even entails.

And I don't think you understand what those subject matters are ;]

mogers · Post by **mogers** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 4:09 pm

k4b00m wrote:For what it's worth, I am so down for whatever location you decide on. Went to w2z and it was fun minus playing 1 match ( f u Till )

If it's west coast I'm sure I could assemble a dpk lan team ( lol ) since most of the original guys live in cali/somewhere on the west coast.

We all know the real reason you liked w2z is because you shared a hotel room with me. Fag

acetamino · Post by **acetamino** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 4:14 pm

I like option two because I play on my laptop. I'd go to vegas(traveling from vermont) but wouldn't want to waste a bunch of money gambling...I'd do it, but I would have just as much fun doing option 2 at a central location and getting wasted at a dive bar with new friends.

Sears · Post by **Sears** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 4:14 pm

aLpha.cn-[tang] wrote:I'm down to participate depending on whether or not I can get time off of work.

I agree with the people saying that 100+ people isn't very sound at this point in the community's life. From what I've seen (and I haven't seen all that much, so correct me if I'm wrong), we only have around like 50-60 people actively playing in 12mans and leagues. Whether that would change if a LAN opportunity presents itself, I don't know...

What happened to the Vegas LAN idea? That sounded feasible and it's somewhere where people can do things outside of the LAN. I'm fairly confident that most of the people in this community are 21+ (even though their maturity may not reflect that) considering the game itself is 7 years old already and there are bound to be ball pens somewhere for those under 21.

Vegas LAN is still at the top of the list, it's just in what capacity that I'm trying to figure out.

We do have a LAN center in Vegas that is willing to host us, but it's expensive (2,000+ a day), so it would most likely need to be a one-day marathon event, which is rough if people have flown in from far away.

It is all dependent on numbers. The reason I wanted to have this discussion, is to ascertain how many of the present players would be willing to travel to an event. The second question we need to answer after that, is how many PAST players might make a team and show up to an event if the scale is much larger (cash prizes, raffle prizes, a full weekend of DoD nostalgia/nerdage, etc)

If there simply isn't enough support for a larger event, then we will move forward with a smaller one, and hope to make it as epic as we can given the limitations. But, that's what we are trying to determine at this point, whether or not it is worth pursuing a larger event.

If we were able to pull this off, it would literally be a "once in a lifetime event" meant to celebrate the entire history of competitive DoD with one last tournament. If the price was right, I would hope that a lot of nerds would come out of the wood work and want to attend.

If not, we will shoot for a more casual, regional, one-day event.

kirk · Post by **kirk** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 4:16 pm

acetamino wrote:I like option two because I play on my laptop. I'd go to vegas(traveling from vermont) but wouldn't want to waste a bunch of money gambling...I'd do it, but I would have just as much fun doing option 2 at a central location and getting wasted at a dive bar with new friends.

Whether you're with other people or alone is quite irrelevant; you'd have the same amount of fun regardless. Don't lie.

Cory Cory! Price · Post by **Cory Cory! Price** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 4:37 pm

I am 100% on board for another DOD lan. Like Dan said if there is anything i can do to help I will. /excited.

joeledmunds · Post by **joeledmunds** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 4:37 pm

I definitely am more up for something not Southward, because I have travelled to Dallas from Nova Scotia before and it was less than stellar (even with hlah getting me baked out of my tree while cruising across Virginia). But overall it was a fun experience, and if I have time to save up some cash I have no problem repeating it.