Aug 19, 2007 — Four guys sat in the Holiday Inn lobby next to their computer equipment and a case of caffeine-heavy Bawls Guarana Friday evening.
They'd need the beverage to survive FITES - the Frag Infinity Tournament (Extreme Slaying), a LANParty - or Local Area Network Party- of 40-consecutive hours held at the hotel in West Manchester Township this weekend.
"Nothing like overdosing on caffeine," said David Broadwater, 20, of Columbia.
When registration began at 6 p.m. Friday, Broadwater and his friends lugged their computers and accessories into the conference room and set up in a corner. Gamers from across the country connected hard drives, monitors and keyboards, wheeled in their home office chairs and set up cases of Mountain Dew, sleeping bags and pillows for the chance to play in the same room with opponents they usually only meet online.
They plugged in their gear and went to play. Gamers could sign up for tournaments or play a game with whoever was offering.
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