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.
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.
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Installing via Steam
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 enable Steam's own file transfer service by following the instructions here and accepting downloads from any user. The Big LAN Cache also has this service enabled and if it doesnt have the game you're after, maybe another machine in the room does!
If neither downloading option works, instead download the zip file for the game under the Steam folder of our file server. Please note not all supported games will be available.
1. Extract the folder to "Your Steam Install Path"/steamapps/common/
2. Load Steam and attempt to install the game. Instead of downloading the game again Steam should state it is detecting local files
3. Allow Steam to download any other updates for the game -
Installing via Epic
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.
If downloads are slow, instead download the zip file for the game under the Epic folder of our file server. Please note not all supported games will be available.
Extract the folder to "Your Epic Install Path"/Epic Games/
Open the Epic Games Launcher again and instead of downloading the game again Epic should see the files you copied and download any other updates for the game -
What is cached
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!
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.
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What to bring
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.
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How to pay
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.
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What to eat
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.
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Safety & Security
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.
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Running your own games
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.
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Internet Availability
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.
No Internet
So you've found this page, but you can't access the internet via The Big LAN Network
Check your ethernet cable is properly connected to your machine and The Big LAN LAN Box
Check that other attendees using the same LAN Box are able to access the network. If not request staff assistance
Check you have received an IP Address. Search for cmd.exe and then type ipconfig. Check to see the network port you are using has received an address in either the 192.168.0.x or 192.168.1.x range from "TheBigLAN"
Check you have not assigned your own IP address
Attempt to ping The Big LAN Router. Search for cmd.exe and then type “ping 192.168.0.1”. If this does not work request staff assistance
No Servers
So you can't see LAN games in the game lobby
Make sure the game is allowed through your firewall
Try switching TheBigLAN network to "Private" rather than "Public" by selecting "Network & Internet Settings" under the network option from the task bar, selecting TheBigLAN, and choosing "Private".
Try disabling all network interfaces besides the one you are trying to use. For example, CSGO will default to your first ethernet port for server advertisements regardless of if you are on Wi-Fi or a secondary interface.
Try connecting directly to the server via IP. The tech desk will be able to help you do this.
Slow Downloads
So you're on the network but games are downloading slowly
Regardless of our 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. Ensure you are automatically receiving the address for the DNS and have not allocated your own, it should be set to 192.168.0.3 else you will not be able to access the cache.
Enable Steams own file transfer service by following the instructions here and accepting downloads from any user. The Big LAN Cache also has this service enabled and if it doesnt have the game you're after, maybe another machine in the room does!
Try disabling IPv6, which can sometimes impact Riot Games using the cache. The Tech Desk can help you do this if you're not sure how.
If you have the correct network settings but are still seeing slow download or patching times, speak to a member of The Big LAN tech team to diagnose the issue. Note we cannot pause the schedule to fix this issue once a tournament for the game experiencing the problem has already started.
Blocked Sites
So you can't access a site you wanted? 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.