On any given afternoon, most of the plush, floral-patterned couches and window seats in the Adell McMillan Gallery are covered with students, sprawled out taking naps in between classes. But the EMU closes at 11:30 p.m., so while it’s not uncommon for students to sleep in the building, they don’t typically spend the night. Unless emuLAN is taking place.
“Last year, there were people draped across tables, underneath computers, using extension cords as pillows,” remembered University senior Aaron Parecki, one of the annual event’s organizers.
emuLAN is a UO Cultural Forum-hosted local area network (LAN) party, a gathering of people who network their computers together to play games. Taking place in the EMU Ballroom on Feb. 15, emuLAN is 24 hours of video games, tournaments, socializing, snacks and prizes.
“It’s a really social event and it’s a good way to get a lot of people together who would stereotypically sit in their rooms all day,” said Josh Ryan, a University junior.
Ryan enjoys video games, though he’s not a huge gamer. He mostly sees emuLAN as an opportunity to socialize and meet new people.
Many students play video games on the same network and Patrick Chinn of the University’s Information Services department said emuLAN is a chance for them to meet each other in person.

Chinn is part of the 12-member organizing group, which has been meeting weekly since the term started.
“Most of us are doing it purely on a volunteer basis because we like the idea of having a gaming party,” he said.
Chinn, whose favorite games include “Mario Kart: Double Dash” and Wii soccer, said that while there is a competitive aspect to gaming, emuLAN is not really about that.
“We’re not running this to see who’s the best ‘Super Smash Brothers’ player in the universe,” he said. “We’re not really serious about gaming; we’re serious about having fun.”
While bringing your own computer is necessary to play LAN games – such as “Counter-Strike,” “Team Fortress 2,” and “Halo” – it’s not a necessity to attend. This year, there will be console systems, including Wii, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Tournaments will include “Counter-Strike: Source,” “Mario Kart: Double Dash” and “Guitar Hero 3.” The “Rock Band” tournament will culminate with a midnight concert featuring the best players.
Sophomore Aaron Elligsen attended both emuLANs. He said the events were a bit disorganized.
“You just ended up playing games with the people around you,” he said. “I think last year had a little more organization. There were more hosted competitions.”
Elligsen said they were fun regardless.
“Generally, it’s just kind of a cool atmosphere,” he said. “You do get to play some games with people and it’s fun to see other people’s computers.”
Parecki, who enjoys “Guitar Hero,” said this year there are more people organizing emuLAN so he expects it the event to keep improving.
“Any time you get a bunch of people to do something they enjoy, it’s great,” he said.
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“LAN gamers outlast the night in 24-hour party this Saturday” Date it was published