FortLAN 2024 Recap: Gaming, Esports, and Community Unite!
From October 18 to October 20, Fort Wayne, IN, became a lively hub for gamers, esports fans, and tech enthusiasts as the Grand Wayne Center hosted FortLAN 2024. This fantastic event brought together gaming communities from all around the region for a weekend full of competition, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments. With 288 BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer) seats, thrilling esports tournaments, and a variety of engaging activities, FortLAN 2024 truly had something for everyone!
Highlights of FortLAN 2024
FortLAN 2024 celebrated the best of competitive gaming, enhancing the experience with exciting partnerships:
- Odyssey Esports hosted tournaments that attracted nearly 200 participants, featuring popular games like Smash Ultimate, Melee, and Street Fighter. The competition was fierce, and the electric atmosphere created by top talent and enthusiastic fans was unforgettable.
- Great Lakes Esports organized a collegiate invitational with high-stakes tournaments for Valorant and Rocket League, where winners took home trophies and the admiration of their peers.
- League of Legends and Counter-Strike tournaments, offering impressive prizes for participants.
- A unique LAN vs. LAN PUBG event, fostering friendly rivalries with our friends at NETWAR in Omaha, Nebraska.
Gaming Fun for Everyone
FortLAN 2024 was more than just about competition; it embraced the joy of gaming with enjoyable and inclusive activities for all:
- Game-of-the-hour sessions kept the energy high with casual challenges and exciting surprises.
- Mini-games like the mouse toss, hard drive stack, and Memory for Memory added a playful twist, with fantastic sponsored prizes up for grabs.
Exclusive Perks and Meaningful Contributions
- Attendees at FortLAN were treated to a variety of perks that made the event truly memorable:
- A VIP lounge, complete with snacks, provided a cozy retreat for gamers looking to relax.
- On-site shirt ordering allowed participants to create personalized merchandise to celebrate their experience.
- Raffles exclusive to BYOC ticket holders offered amazing prizes, with VIP packages earning an extra ticket for even more chances to win.
FortLAN also supported a wonderful cause, raising over $3,100 for LANFest through the “We Are LANFest” campaign. These funds will help establish new chapters across the country and further the mission of fostering healthy communities through gaming.
Exciting Announcements
The highlight of the weekend was the announcement of spring dates for FortLAN—May 16-18, 2025. This new event will provide a second LAN gathering for the community, presenting even more opportunities for gaming fun and connection.
A Weekend to Remember
FortLAN 2024 embodied everything that makes gaming special—community, competition, and creativity. Whether you joined us to compete, cheer on your favorite teams, or simply enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, there was something for everyone.
As we look forward to FortLAN 2025, we’re thrilled to continue building on the energy, excitement, and experiences that define FortLAN.
Mark your calendars—the future of FortLAN is brighter than ever!