Nvidia Revives GeForce LAN After 13-Year Hiatus
Tech giant Nvidia is set to resurrect its popular GeForce LAN event after a 13-year absence, the company announced today. The upcoming gathering, dubbed GeForce LAN 50, is scheduled for January 4-6, 2025, in Las Vegas, with satellite events planned for Berlin, Taipei, and Beijing.
The event promises a 50-hour gaming marathon featuring contests, tournaments, raffles, and exclusive merchandise. Nvidia has allocated 400 spots for everyday gamers, with participants required to reserve their place by providing a $125 refundable deposit.
GeForce LAN 50 is strategically timed to coincide with Nvidia’s CES 2025 keynote, fueling speculation about the potential announcement of new RTX 50-series graphics cards. The event will kick off at 4:30 PM PT on January 4th, marking the beginning of an extended weekend of gaming and technology showcases.
In addition to the in-person event, Nvidia is offering online rewards for users who stream specific games on GeForce Now for 50 minutes. The company is also launching a “GeForce Greats” marketing celebration, promising additional prizes for participants.
This revival comes with a rich history, as Nvidia hosted major LAN parties annually from 2004 to 2011. The last event, “GeForce LAN 6,” took place on a decommissioned aircraft carrier. Notably, Nvidia’s 2008 NVISION event set a Guinness World Record for the largest and longest LAN party.
The return of GeForce LAN reflects a growing nostalgia for LAN parties, recently highlighted by the publication of a coffee table book documenting the era. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has shown a personal interest in these gatherings, having visited a small LAN event in Vietnam.
As the tech world eagerly anticipates this revival, GeForce LAN 50 is poised to blend cutting-edge technology with the communal spirit of gaming, potentially setting new benchmarks for industry events.
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