You may want to have internet access, however, so that other players can download any necessary updates or games that they don’t have installed. If you don’t need to have internet access during your LAN party, you can just use a switch and no router. Any computers you connect to the switch will be connected to the router and the internet. This will essentially extend the number of ports on your router, allowing you to connect more Ethernet devices to it. Switches need to be powered in order to work.Ĭonnect an Ethernet cable from a LAN port on your router to any port on the switch. Once everyone is playing together, you’ll likely notice serious lag. While you can have everyone connect to your wireless network, this is not recommended for most multiplayer games. Most all modern switches have auto-sensing ports. This will allow you to connect everything with standard Ethernet cables instead of having to buy, or make, a special crossover cable.
Make sure your new switch uses auto-sensing ports. A simple switch is all you need to connect many more computers to your existing router. You can find 5-port switches at most computer retailers for around $20 USD.ĭo not get another router, as this will make things needlessly complex and expensive. If you’re connecting more computers to the LAN than there are ports on your router, you’ll need a network switch to connect them all. This means you’ll likely need some heavy-duty extension cables and surge protectors to plug the computers into. You’ll want to limit each circuit to about four computers. Keep in mind that most circuits have multiple outlets, so just spreading your computers between outlets in the same room won’t help. Most houses have separate circuits for different rooms (living room, kitchen, utility room, etc.). Knowing how your circuits are configured in your house or apartment can help you determine where to plug in all the computers. It doesn’t take many computers on a single circuit to trip it and bring your LAN party to an early end. If you don’t have the table space, you’ll need a few folding tables and chairs depending on how many people are coming.Ĭonnect the computers to multiple circuits. You’ll need surge protectors and extension cables to ensure that you don’t trip circuits. You can ask your guests to bring their own Ethernet cables, but you’ll probably want to have a few spare cables handy. You’ll need enough Ethernet cables to connect each computer to your switch, as well as a cable to connect your switch to your router. Running a LAN party doesn’t require much, but there are some things you’ll absolutely need: Note that recent Blizzard games like Diablo 3 and Overwatch do not support LAN. Minecraft, DOTA 2, League of Legends, Counter-Strike, and more have LAN support, though some require an internet connection to function.
Some of the most popular multiplayer PC games still support LAN.
Try to ensure that everyone has the games you intend to play installed before they come over, so you can get up and running without waiting for people to install things. You can check sites like (Check the “Offline LAN” box), or look through Steam curated lists like “LAN Party Games,” but be aware that these lists are never comprehensive.įor most games, each player will need their own copy installed on their computer. Before you go through all the trouble of setting up your LAN, make sure the games you want to play actually support local multiplayer. LAN functionality is becoming less and less common in modern PC releases in favor of online multiplayer. If your friends are spread throughout the world, you can create a virtual LAN with a program called Evolve.Ĭheck to see if the games you want to play support LAN play. Getting a LAN configured is fairly straightforward with modern switches, as it’s mostly plug and play. Not all games support LAN play, especially those that are tied to online services like.
To play games over a LAN, you’ll need a router and network switch to create your LAN environment, as well as some games to play.