Australian LANs are well and truly back thanks to March’s DFRAG Invitational. The first VRS event in Australia hosted by DFRAG saw the region's best clash heads in an action-packed weekend, and while there could be only one winner on paper, everyone who contributed or played is a winner in my book.
The LAN experience is unparalleled; from being able to catch up with your friends from across the country (especially if you’re in Perth) to trash talk up close as a player instead of just over text and even catch up with their teammates in person, offline play can’t be matched when it comes to CS.
It’s an overall celebration of the wide world of esports where production, players and talent can show off their craft. Also, nothing is more Australian than having snag off a barbie to cap off the day.
Tell me your esports event is in Australia without telling me it's in Australia pic.twitter.com/K8gFwbTdO7
— Jordan Mays (@Elfishguy) March 20, 2025
The best part for me is meeting up with all the players, fans, and the production crew. Nothing is better than shaking the hands of the players that I’ve casted for years on end or putting a face to the name of those who work hard behind the scenes.
Providing spectacles for the Australian audience, whether it is greatness or hilarity like the infamous SaVage bonk or an amazing 2v5 hold from ADDICT and nettik, is what events like DFRAG are all about.
A grassroots LAN like this and the pinnacle that is IEM Melbourne are very different beasts. The grassroots events are effectively jungles of cables, the hustle and bustle to get technical problems fixed to keep everything running and lastly, the random EMI which will cause a one-hour technical pause.
But nothing can match the genuine passion that the production, the talent, and the players show off at events like the DFRAG Invitational.
The prize might be a new mouse or a new computer (or in this event’s case, a whole lot more), but nothing beats the feeling of victory or winning an epic clutch and letting the other team know about it—within reason, of course!
Many talent members such as Richard Lewis and DAVEY have mentioned that LAN play is a different beast. The lights are in your eyes, the other team metres away instead of across the country, the loudness of the crowd, and the different setup from home can all impact your game. DAVEY mentioned that you can’t get away with those crazy wide swings on LAN.
I talked to the boys from Rooster and Housebets and the main vibe and reason to show was to play with friends in person. Asap joked that it was a 60ms buff for him as he usually plays from Perth. TJP mentioned that he just enjoys shouting and trash talking.
Valiance said he loves showing off the old hat at the LAN. Shadiy and SaVage enjoy the LAN experience because everyone is so friendly and the banter is respectful and hilarious. SaVage reveled in the banter between malta and TJP. Keen just loves blasting his favourite tracks across the room.
The Australian LAN experience where the banter is straight fire and gameplay is electric. With the amount of people who are interested in coming down for the next one, we’re gonna need a bigger warehouse!
