World of Mega-Lan unites gamers

Luther gamers gathered Nov. 7, Friday night in Valders Science Hall for the biggest gaming event of the year: Mega-Lan. The flashing computer screens lit the night with games ranging from Counterstrike to Starcraft to Team Fortress 2. Projectors cast Guitar Hero, Rock Band and Super Smash Bros. Brawl onto the walls and music played from speakers as people laughed and finished off the last of their sodas.

“This is really sweet, no joke,” said Justin Tigerman (‘11).

For gamers, Mega-Lan is the epitome of community gaming, a reveling of video games amid friends and fellow alumni. Amongst the wires strung from computer to computer, students clicked away relentlessy through the hours of the night.

“People get the impression that gamers just sit in their rooms alone and are anti-social. We really want to fight that stigma,” said Matt Tschimperle (‘09), one of the organizers of Mega-Lan. “This thing is a great draw. It brings groups together.”

Mega-Lan is a non-profit event that gives gamers a place to congregate and play the games they love from Friday at 7:00 p.m. until Saturday at 7:00 a.m.

Mega-Lan began unofficially six years ago in May 2002. At that time, it was called Hostage Down. It was not until a year and a half later in October 2003 that Mega-Lan as it’s known today began in the Valders Concourse.

This semester marked the 21st Mega-Lan at Luther College. In many respects, Mega-Lan has retained its original defining qualities. Computer gaming is still the central focus, taking up most of the space in the Valders Concourse where students crowd beside each other. But with new games and consoles, the play has changed. Now games like Rock Band and Super Smash Bros. Brawl are becoming a part of the computer dominated atmosphere.

“Now we’ve kind of evolved the business,” said Andrew Woodard (‘09), another organizer of Mega-Lan.

Video games, however, were not the only draws of the evening. Dungeons and Dragons, a fantasy role-playing game, was also present. Crafts such as chainmailing and knitting took place at another table run.

I think it’s great,” said Brian Nowosatka (‘11), a Dungeon Master for Dungeons and Dragons. “There’s everything here.”

Another participant, Matt Beerman (‘11) agreed.

“I like spending a night around other people into gaming,” he said.

The event has also begun to attract more women, a positive thing for Mega-Lan, which began as something strictly male-oriented.

“I’m seeing more girls here,” said Woodard. “I think games are becoming more socially acceptable for girls. And I think that’s a good thing.”

One of the women in attendance agreed.

“I really enjoy the atmosphere and being around other nerds,” said Jess Barfell (‘06), a Luther alumna and female gamer. “I’ve been coming to these for about three years.”

Despite Mega-Lan’s seeming popularity, the event has suffered from a drop in attendance. This last weekend about 70-80 people (a majority of them alumni) attended Mega-Lan, a major drop from years before when records reached 143.

Even worse is the loss of management staff. Tschimperle and Woodard are the only organizers of the event, and this is their last year. Both are conscious of the fact that the Mega-Lan management lacks an heir.

“We have lost people over the years,” said Tschimperle. “It’s difficult to attract people because people really don’t know what it is. I just think that not as many people know about Mega-Lan or feel it’s socially acceptable to get together like this and play video games.”

While Tschimperle and Woodard are still on the lookout for anyone who wishes to take up the management position of Mega-Lan, they will organize it again in the spring. They both hope Mega-Lan will continue for years to come.