So, I have been thinking how much I would LOVE to attend an MLG. I think the NASL Finals might be fun except that I have work obligations on those dates I cannot get out of.
I am poor so was considering Orlando or Providence, since plane tickets this far out are superrrrr cheap. Also they are both in the fall when I only have class (and that is actually much less of an issue to get out of than work). Problem is, I'm not sure any of the people I play with would be able to go (though I'm sure they would if they had money/time/etc). I want to share a hotel room, and while I don't mind sharing with a guy(s), I'd rather it's someone I know. But more importantly, the question for you all--
If you don't know (personally) anyone at a LAN and go by yourself, is it still totally worth it? Is it better to wait til next year and see if some of my friends are able to go with me then?
EDIT: The reason I don't want to room with guys I don't know is because I'm a girl, and while the likelihood of anything bad happening is extremely small, it's just one of those things.
If you aren't a competitor or local to the area I would just save your money and watch from home. If you're really outgoing and have a desire to find people to hang out with I'm sure you could make that happen but really without a group of people to go with or meeting people you already know online it doesn't seem worth it to me.
Also as far as a room goes, see if you can find people from an online community(like TL) to share a room if you don't have anyone to go with. I've been to a few big fighting game tournaments last minute and ended up rooming with psuedo-strangers and it worked out fine and made some new friends.. Also they will probably know some people if you don't and can maybe give you more options during the half of the day where you wont be in the main hall watching games or whatever you wanna do.
If you're going to put yourself in the hole, and you can't afford it, don't do it. But I will say this; a LAN, wether or not you're there to compete seriously, is fucking amazingly fun. You meet new people, make new friends, get to play with your old friends locally, and a bunch of other fun stuff.
But seriously, don't go if it'll put you in the hole. Money is important, and there'll be more MLG's/NASL's coming up in the years, when you may have more money to throw around.
Oh, and uhh, a disclaimer: I've never been to something as massive as an MLG, just local places with 50 ish people attending, so I can't say that MLG is a good place to go solo.
i personally would never go to a bigger lan event on my own just to watch some games... i mean sure, you may be fine with watching the big names in tournaments and maybe you're even participating too but it's definitely not that fun alone! and just to finally have been on such a big event sounds not like a good reason. i would listen to red.venom ... pretty much nailed it. better stay home, safe some money and enjoy it there (with friends). but in case you really got into a group or some friends plan to come with...go for it with friends stuff like the sharing a room is save anyway and even with a fixed group of strangers (from tl) it is usually no problem. but i would really recommend not getting alone on (big) lan-events, if not for the safety then for the fun
On June 07 2011 23:17 xaeiu wrote: i personally would never go to a bigger lan event on my own just to watch some games... i mean sure, you may be fine with watching the big names in tournaments and maybe you're even participating too but it's definitely not that fun alone! and just to finally have been on such a big event sounds not like a good reason. i would listen to red.venom ... pretty much nailed it. better stay home, safe some money and enjoy it there (with friends). but in case you really got into a group or some friends plan to come with...go for it with friends stuff like the sharing a room is save anyway and even with a fixed group of strangers (from tl) it is usually no problem. but i would really recommend not getting alone on (big) lan-events, if not for the safety then for the fun
Yeah, this guy probably has it more right, generally, for something on the scale of MLG. Smaller local lans, you should definately make a habit of going to :D they need support too!
Where are you from? I'm so confused if I should be recommending you come to our LANs... haha.
You don't want to go to a large event alone - half of the fun is enjoying the trip and games with your friends! That's my opinion, anyways, I'm sure a lot of people have gone alone as specs or players.
Depending on the community, however, going alone to smaller LANs can be good. NrGLuckyfool organizes and I run a LAN every two/three months in Fairfax Virginia, and we usually encourage people to come if their alone and are in bronze, just to hang out. Everyone here in the MD/VA/DC area are fucking ballers and are some of the most fun people to chill out with. Then after the LAN (and every Saturday night) people head over to this Korean BBQ place not too far away. I've met a TON of awesome people by going to LANs (and for what it's worth, my first LAN here back in BW days, I knew NOBODY that was going.) and I'm always sure to convince people who are unsure about going to go.
You should definitely consider a local LAN!
and yes, obesechicken, she's a girl and she has super awesome red hair. :p
I am from Philly. ^_^ I think Virginia is a bit too far, but your LAN sounds awesome. :D
And it looks like two of my friends, possible a third and fouth, and idk about a fifth yet are interested since the price for Orlando would be ~$400 or less for each of us. I really, really, really hope it can work! >w<
Watch it at home, it's not worth going alone to a far LAN events with no friends. But if you insist, you can find someone to share room with on TL, there will be threads for this 2-3 weeks before the event (usually).
To go alone to a LAN without knowing anyone, if that is recommended or not, is not something we can answer to. Because it depends of what kind of person you are and your character.
Personally i dont mind to go to something that i really want to, with or without knowing anyone. At least i can say afterwards that i didnt miss the event and that i followed my feelings and i now i have tried that.
EPT
