Get a group of people who like to play video games in a room with their computers or consoles. Wire them up to a local area network, and you have a LAN party.

Founders of Avalanche Gaming, Anthony Head and Maurice Last of Bunbury are organising their fourth event in December.

Gamers prefer the LANs to online games, says Anthony, who is the more competitive of the two.

There are two reasons for that, he says. The first is the social aspect; getting together with a bunch of people with a common interest sponsors camaraderie.

The second reason is technical. "The ping, or latency, is a lot lower. The games are a lot closer to real time.

"Online, you're looking at 100 milliseconds of delay. All your action is delayed. It's like the difference between correspondence chess and playing a live game.

Most video players prefer LANs and try to get to many as they can as often as they can, adds Anthony, "because they are superior experiences".

Maurice agrees that the social aspect is important. There are three or four events which run in Perth which they both regularly attend.

"Usually, you sit in your room and play computer games." At a LAN party, people come together and find a common bond.

There's always something to do

While Anthony has reached diamond level, that is top 15 per cent, in Star Craft, Maurice is the techie of the duo, playing mainly for fun. When something comes loose or needs to be dragged around, it's Maurice who does the running.

The two biggest issues are running the networks and power, he says. "With so many people you can't use wireless so you have to run cable."

The Avalanche website has a clear list of do's and don'ts for players who can be inventive when it comes to find that little bit of competitive edge.

Some try for two computers instead of one, which chews up power. "One person had a refrigerator for his computer which tripped the power out." The gamer was using enough electricity for six people Maurice reckons.

Cooling a computer improves performance but for most players, getting an edge means " practise, practise, practise".

Some believe in technology. Any group of gamers will include arguments about the best keyboard, the best mouse, the best mat.

The Bunbury competition is a round robin so that people aren't eliminated after just one game. At the end, players get very serious and there's plenty of yelling across the room, says Maurice.

Profit goes backwards

A party which ran between 2001 and 2008 in Bunbury folded, leaving a gap. Maurice started a Facebook page 'Bring back Reload game party'.

"We figured out we needed to be the ones to do it if it was going to happen," jokes Anthony.

The scene in Bunbury may be rebuilding, but Perth runs what's currently Australia's biggest LAN party at Curtin University where around 600 people take part.

Sydney and Melbourne with their larger populations run more but smaller events, Maurice explains.

Their first event was oversold. This time round, they expect about 30 to 40 people to register but more to just to rock up.

The age of players ranges from primary school to 30s and girls do play and play well.

Anthony rattles off a list of games: Fortress 2, Counter Strike, Minecraft, TrackMania, StarCraft. While most are shooters, genres include strategy, racing, and creative games.

A new genre is gaining popularity, says Anthony. MOBA, or multiplayer online battle area is a mix between strategy and team based games.

There's a range of abilities among the LAN players, he says. Some would do well on a national level. Local computer businesses sponsor prizes and sometimes a cash prize of around $100 is offered.

Both Anthony and Maurice say they're in for the social aspects. Equipment such as a converter to change three phase power to one phase isn't cheap. So far, profits are "minus" they joke.

Their immediate goal is to become an incorporated, non-profit body. Getting the word out is a struggle and most advertising is word of mouth.

A regular event of about 150 people which runs a few times a year would be ideal, they say, otherwise the events become more of a chore than an enjoyment.

The next event is in Bunbury on the 20th December at the South West Italian Club.

"We'd really to see you guys come down and play with us," says Anthony, before breaking into laughter as he realises his double entendre.