To get down to brass tacks, the only reason there is a “[H]ardOCP” is because of a game called DOOM. DOOM and id Software were the impetus behind our tweaking hardware and pushing it far beyond factory recommendations. Soon after DOOM, we were playing Duke Nukem 3D via direct modem connections for hours and hours a night. At about the same time, we saw the advent of Dwango, the first “online” deathmatch service. Dialing into Dwango and paying a subscription fee could have you “fragging” with three other real-time players in virtual arenas all across the country if you could deal with the pings. Later, with the advances in both technology and gaming software, we saw the Net become a viable tool for gaming with many others. All this online bloodshed could not be contained by simple ether or telephone lines, and as soon as the gaming and hardware technology advanced, the “LAN party” was born. From a simple few people to thousands of gamers packing into homes, hotels, or arenas to get a chance to frag a buddy or total stranger was not foreseen by many. If you haven't been to a LAN event where there are over a thousand BYOCers (Bring Your Own Computer) it is truly an awesome event to take in, and I suggest everyone at least visit one large event even if you don’t play. The massive display of technology on a personal level is a sight to behold.
