Editing LAN party (section)

{{short description|Temporary gathering of people with computers or game consoles}}
A '''LAN party''' is a [[social gathering]] of [[gamer|participant]]s with [[personal computer]]s or compatible [[game console]]s, where a [[local area network]] (LAN) connection is established between the devices using a [[router (computing)|router]] or [[network switch|switch]], primarily for the purpose of playing [[multiplayer video game]]s together. LAN party events differ significantly from [[LAN gaming center]]s and [[Internet cafe]]s in that LAN parties generally require participants to ''[[bring your own computer]]'' (BYOC)<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061022/NEWS/610220401/1101
| title = CPUs get revved up in Hudson
| access-date = 2006-10-25
| last = Kalke
| first = Rushmie
| date = 22 October 2006
| publisher = Worcester Telegram & Gazette
}}</ref> and are not permanent installations, often taking place in general-use venues or residences.

The size of these networks may vary from as few as two people to very large gatherings of a hundred or more. Small parties can form spontaneously and take advantage of common household networking equipment, but larger ones typically require more planning, equipment and preparation, even dedicated gaming [[server (computer)|server]]s. As of 2020, the [[world record]] for the size of a LAN party is 22,810 visitors, set at [[DreamHack]], in [[Jönköping]], [[Sweden]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-lan-party|title=Largest LAN party|website=Guinness World Records}}</ref>