LAN video game party promotes community, education

NORFOLK -- A video game tournament is returning to Norfolk.

Norfolk chiropractic David Kassmeier is not much of a gamer.

"But I'm always there to learn, being a doctor," Kassmeier said. "One thing I learned, was discord-chat."

He and co-chair Nick Wildman began the Norfolk LAN video gaming tournament in 2019, growing it to the second largest in the northeast. 

"[There was] not much for the kids to do especially around that time COVID was hitting," Wildman said. 

Gamers can find community in things like the Super-Mario-Smash-Bros who'll attend, led by Joshua Hughes.

"My father was in the Airforce 24 years so I never had a set group of friends," Hughes said. "Come out and socialize!"

His group meets to play SMSB at CEC King's Lanes on Wednesdays, welcome to all. You can bring your console or join in and make friends. 

The goal is not only to build community but encourage STEM education.

"They're trying to develop E-sports in high school, and so if you can communicate over the internet [...] it makes a huge difference," Kassmeier said. 

He's even inviting an e-sports coach -- a previous Husker, Ahman Green.

"People could actually earn a scholarship, it's like a tryout for a football game," Kassmeier said. 

This year, the Norfolk LAN party will have more prizes and nostalgic games -- but also bring back previous hits.

"One thing we're gonna do this year is Minecraft which is all about engineering [...] We have a set of judges to judge what they build," Kassmeier said. 

The event will also have other things for guests to play around with such as a virtual reality in a trailer if you're not too busy zooming off with new friends.

They hope to see more than 125 participants. You can learn more here.