Help & Guides

Our Support Promise

At The Big LAN we aim to provide you the best experience possible by getting everyone into the most games we can. To help us achieve that, The Big LAN team recommends a fully updated Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC. Linux based devices, including the SteamDeck, and consoles are most welcome but may not be as supportable for our full list of games.

The Big LAN prioritises free games for our tournaments to maximise accessibility. We'll do our best to build our schedules to ensure you can game the entire day without purchasing game licenses.

Tech Desk

Games & Caching

We encourage everyone coming to an event to have already downloaded and installed all the games they want to play. If you haven't, or an update is released at the last second, don't worry! Our cache and file server are here to help at up to 100MB/s.

All games listed on our schedule will be precached via Steam and Epic where possible. Other services, e.g. Microsoft Store, Nintendo E-Shop, and the PlayStation Store, may be cached but are not guaranteed. We recommend arriving at least an hour before your first tournament of choice to give our team ample time to help you with anything you might need. We also ask that you ensure all your games are installed and working the night before and use our cache as a backup plan.

Where a game requires a purchase to play The Big LAN generally cannot provide license keys.

  • Attempt to install or download the game through Steam as you normally would at home. If the game you are downloading is being run at the event it should download at high speeds.

    If Steam is downloading slowly you can enable Steam's own file transfer service by following the instructions here and accepting downloads from any user. Now every machine in the room can help you out with rapid transfers!

  • Attempt to install or download the game through Epic as you normally would at home. If the game you are downloading is being run at the event it should download at high speeds.

  • All games on the schedule will have been pre-cached on Steam and Epic, and Riot where possible.

    Whenever anyone downloads anything connected to our network from the majority of popular game stores (including the Microsoft and Nintendo stores) they are automatically cached. So after one user takes one for the team and waits the full first download time, the rest of the room can get the same files ultra fast!

Cache
Cache Tech Desk

Event F.A.Q

Have you got general questions about the event? Check the topics below for answers to common questions, and remember to go to the specific page for each event for more details like what games are supported, what prizes are on offer, and our operating hours.

  • If you've purchased a BYO PC Ticket bring your PC (including keyboard, mouse, monitor, power cables and display cables) or console (including controllers, screen, power cables and display cables). If you've chosen an AFK ticket bring any additional controllers you'd like to use. Regardless of ticket please also bring a photo ID.

  • You can pay for your ticket by card or cash on the day, but we can't guarantee ticket availability. It's easiest if you prepurchase your ticket online.

  • We will be serving lunch and dinner at no additional cost to all ticket holders. Vegetarian options are available, please let us know of any additional dietry requirements well ahead of time and we will try to accommodate them. Additional snacks and drinks, including freshly cooked potato cakes, nuggets, and jam doughnuts, are available for purchase throughout select events.

  • The Big LAN aims to be a safe and inclusive event for everyone to attend. However, it is important to remember that if you connect to our network and access a device not owned by the LAN we cannot ensure the content will be safe or secure. Equipment owned by The Big LAN including our file server are read only for everyone except The Big LAN admin staff.

  • You can bring and play any extra games, including card and board games, you want to enjoy at the event. The only limitations are space (for physical games, we have 4-6 player tables available at most events) and content. While The Big LAN is primarily an 18+ event we do reserve the right to request players remove any overly explicit or sexual content for any game or media not directly supported by the event.

  • All The Big LAN events provide internet access to everyone, however each event has different and varying internet speeds. Players are welcome to use the connection for online gaming, however other content may be restricted. Users found to be using excessive amounts of bandwidth for activities not related to the event may have their connection restricted.

Network Help

For game specific help select the game on the event page and scroll down the resulting window for the latest tricks, tips, and help topics. This section is for general network or service issues while you are at the event. If you're at the event and need more help head up to the Tech Desk and talk to our friendly staff.

  • Regardless of the available internet speed, a LAN in full swing has a lot of users and speeds become limited. However, The Big LAN Cache will allow you to install supported games at up to Gigabit speeds.

    If we haven't cached a game you want to play, try Steam's file transfer service. Steam's file transfer service allows you to copy Steam games from nearby PCs, including the player sitting next to you! Just follow the instructions here and ensure you select accept downloads from any user.

  • To conserve bandwidth we block the following sites:

    Speedtest.com, as speed tests by their very nature attempt to use all available bandwidth. If you want to access speedtest.com we do host our own local version here.

    Twitch.com, as streaming consumes the maximum bandwidth per user. You can access a limited version here.

    We also maintain a list of inappropriate sites which are blocked on our network including scams, adult content, pirated material, and gambling services.