Need information on LAN Center

[myfayt]

I was thinking about starting a LAN Center, meaning like two dozen computers networked together for video game tournaments. Some of them people bring their own computers, others provide them, some use laptops, others use desktops.

A few of the things I'd need is,

-Bouncer
-Security cameras
-Rent a building
-Licenses from game companies

Does anyone have any experience in these? or how much roughly would it cost to start a small one of about 8 computers? Also any idea on how much the licenses cost from the game companies?

[Encrypted]

Why would you need a bouncer? lol

[myfayt]

I've read about other lan centers, and that people get out of hand, when their character dies they will scream and hit the computer, or go punch another gamer in the face, etc.

[Encrypted]

I've read about other lan centers, and that people get out of hand, when their character dies they will scream and hit the computer, or go punch another gamer in the face, etc.

Oh i got ya. I forgot that there are nutty people out there. lol I think if you can get a nice location and a good repetitive crowd of people in it'll be successful.

[myfayt]

I think so too, there is two colleges in my town, a community college and the University of Virginia. I know how to set everything up and all, just need to know how much it's roughly going to cost. So if anyone has done this before, or worked at one before and knows, that'd be helpful. Decides if I use credit cards or if I need loan.

[Encrypted]

I think so too, there is two colleges in my town, a community college and the University of Virginia. I know how to set everything up and all, just need to know how much it's roughly going to cost. So if anyone has done this before, or worked at one before and knows, that'd be helpful. Decides if I use credit cards or if I need loan.

I'll give it my best shot.

15 Powerful Gaming Computers ($1,750 each) = $26,250
Networking Gear = $600-$800
Chairs and Desks = $5,000 (depending on what quality merchandise you buy)
Rent = $700-$900/month? depending on location
Unknown Costs = $10,000

Total= $42,050 initial cost + rent

(if you need help building the computers or setting anything up I would be more than willing to help. I live in Philadelphia so I can always make a drive down if you compensated me)

I threw in $10,000 for unknown costs for a possible refreshment area and other unforeseen purchases.

You stated you wanted to use two dozen computers (I used 15 for my calculations), but assuming the operation was successful I would try to add up to 40+ machines.



One more thought: How do you plan on charging for use of these systems? I would think charging either an entry fee or an hourly fee would be best.

[Encrypted]

I want to add one more thing. Those $1750 systems would basically be top of the line. I built my own liquid cooled system and overclocked it to 3.7GHz, got the fasted DDR3 RAM available at the time and threw in a 260GTX GPU and it cost me about $1,800. I'm sure we could do something similar without liquid cooling for $1,500-$1,700.

Just to show you what I mean by top of the line. Out of the possible 7.9 Windows Experience Index for the processor and RAM, I have a 7.6 for both. My GPU trails at 7.3, but if you ran two 260's in SLI you'd probably get either a 7.7 or 7.8

[myfayt]

Hmm yeah I would need a loan for that amount. Top of the line computers would make it successful, but was thinking decent ones around $800 range. Like 2.63ghz quad core, the monitors could be fairly cheap lcd's, etc. May bring the cost down to around $32,000

I read that refreshments are one of the biggest money maker parts of it. Also was recommended to do like $4 an hour. Or for a tournament day like $20 per entry.

[Encrypted]

Hmm yeah I would need a loan for that amount. Top of the line computers would make it successful, but was thinking decent ones around $800 range. Like 2.63ghz quad core, the monitors could be fairly cheap lcd's, etc. May bring the cost down to around $32,000

I read that refreshments are one of the biggest money maker parts of it. Also was recommended to do like $4 an hour. Or for a tournament day like $20 per entry.

Well, if you're going to buy the not so great computers, you're definitely going to want to upgrade the GPU's on them, which require more power requiring you to upgrade the power supply. But then depending on what company you bought from, some companies make their power supply and motherboard connectors unique, so then you'd run into a huge mess and end up spending more money than you would have if you just got the good systems from the start.

[myfayt]

Sounds like it's not worth the effort, oh well it was just an idea. Thanks

[Alomax]

Hi myfayt,

Starting a LAN Center is not cheap, and the ROI is low, unless you scale up. Most people think that they can be successful with 10-20 stations (PC or console). This is very very difficult to accomplish. The economy of scale really does not make this business model equitable until you reach the 50+ station size. Believe it or not, even 50 is not that large.

I'm amused that you think you would need a bouncer. The media paints a highly stereotyped image of "gamers". Truthfully gamers are just every day people. In the 6 years I have run LAN centers, I've had one fight, and that was because one drunk idiot called another idiot a name in the parking lot. Had nothing to do with playing games.

FYI for a 20 station LAN center it would cost around $80-$100k to start. This includes all expenses, hardware, software, POS station, furniture, build out, and some extra for operating expenses while you build a customer base.

If you'd like more information you can join the International LAN Center Association forum and ask more questions there. www ilanca .org

[myfayt]

Alomax, thank you. I was just going by what I read about them on different websites. I am looking for a business I can start with little money. 80k - 100k is out of my range. But it was worth looking into.

[karlhadwen]

I've always wanted to do this have my own gaming centre it would be awesome, Let me know how it goes will you?