WHILE technology has made LAN (local area network) parties a thing of the past, one local group of gamers is keeping the beloved 1990s pastime alive and are now gearing up for their biggest event yet.

LAN parties - where people bring their computers to one building so they can directly plug into the same network and play video games together - may sound silly in the digital age where everyone is connected to the internet, but for the LanOps community group this relic of the past is a vital social event.

Founded here in Barnsley in 2003 by Thornton Phillis - who was only 13 at the time - they have now hosted 59 separate events garnering fans from across the country, while connecting nearly 2,000 players all with the aim of having fun.

Now they are returning home for their largest event yet at the BHF Priory Centre on Pontefract Road on May 23 to 25 where they’re inviting people to bring computers, order pizza, and play as many games as they want.

Trustee Ashley Dawson told the Chronicle: “LAN parties started out of necessity because you couldn’t play online games, whereas now you come together to socialise.

“It’s like a holiday really, we had one guy say it’s his only holiday during the year.

“When we were younger it helped us meet people, develop professionally, develop socially.

“So I’m really excited about coming back and meeting all the gamers in Barnsley and people who are interested in trying out.

“Priory Campus are really helping us out - if it wasn’t for the Barnsley Health Federation and the support they’ve given us we wouldn’t be able to do it.”