So let me understand correctly. I must stay with my children who are under 15 years of age (I get this), and I must leave with them at 10:00pm? Are you a freaking idiot? While I understand that you own the property, who gives you the right to tell what I can do with my children? All of the "minors" that I have experienced attending these functions are constructively engaged in activities that are so much safer than what other "minors" their age (who don't play computer games) are doing like sex, drugs/alcohol, and gang activity. What parent wouldn't want their children spending the weekend playing in a security-controlled environment that provides an outlet for creative engagement?
I have been attending LAN parties with my 4 children (ages 6-15) for the last 5 years. These have always been family events that we actively participate in. The culmination of our gaming events being PAX in September. My children look forward to the contests and tournaments, which are generally held AFTER 10pm. They participate in the gaming tournaments and learn how to work with different types of individuals.
What about other minor groups who want to attend? How are you going to handle that? High School Clubs?
This policy really makes me wonder why this charity event excludes families. Who came up with the STUPID policy anyways-DO THEY EVEN GAME??? Have they ever actually been to Lanfest? NOOB?

um... we have a 16 year old coming with our group (he's already paid) and he'll be with us (adults) the entire time. we arent' planning on leaving the lan, where is he supposed to go for 9 hours?

 This is whats going on in colorado. And lets just say its not good for intel.

http://lanfest.intel.com/?page=topic&id=143477#n22

I'm 17 years old and i've been going to LANs allover the state for the past 2 years and have never had any trouble with being a minor. I just spent $1500 for a new computer so that i could play the highend games with everyone at night specifically for this LAN, but now i'm gonna be forced to sit out in a car and twiddle my thumbs for 9 hours? my parents have never been that strict even when i've been grounded. I'm bringing the waiver form just as I was instructed to do, having it signed by both my mom and dad that I can be there, and they are both now very confused as to why i would have to leave between 10pm and 7am when they see no reason as to why i would have to leave. What liability issues that could happen at night, not happen during they day? plus, there are over 300 people going to be at the LAN, along with atleast 4 of my Adult friends (Siphonhale, SizzlerSam, Browness, Thorleif), all of which my family knows and trusts to be watching out for me during this LAN. What am I to do when i've been planning to go to this for a few months? You really think that I'm gonna want to go if I have to sit out in a car for 9 hours?

Wow. Not sure if this was thought out. How much more liability are you going to have if someone is hurt while out in the parking lot or "just off" campus. If not the liability then the impact this will have as a family event. I was bringing my son and have already registered his seat. I am also an ADMIN for the event. If my son cannot come and stay then I cannot come either. If you don't have anyone to run the event then you don't have an event. If you don't have an event then you have some seriously pissed off Intel customers. Great PR there! I hope you wake up and see that so far we have raised over $300k and would like to continue this trend but will be seriously limited. Please change the policy back, your liability and marketing exposure by doing this will have grave consequences with that policy.

You know...as I think about his more...I get more and more angry. I gave up plans to go to California for Thanksgiving with family for LANFEST because I could not drive down and back in time. I am sure people already have hotel and even flight plans set for that event. I sacrificed for Intel and this is the best that company can give back to me and the community?

 This has to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. So instead of letting the minors stay inside the building at night, where just as many things can happen as the day time, you're going to make them and the people they come with sit out in a car for 9 hours where more dangerous things can happen to them? I for one am not unpacking my computer every night to put it in my car and then set it all back up in the morning, either. I can't imagine how much money Intel is going to lose by making this ridiculous policy. How many people do you think have already booked hotels that now have to cancel everything because of this? This is making me so angry. You have to know for yourselves that the minors that attend these events are not disruptive in any way, shape, or form. They are all respectable and under control from what I have witnessed. In fact, people with minors in their party, and minors on their own, make up for a large amount of people at this function. I know that the adults at the Lan are more of a liability issue to you than the minors are, considering they are more outspoken and various other things...Besides, its in your policy that you are not responsible for anything that happens at the lan, and there's a reason you have minors signing wavers, so whats the issue? You're safe. Don't make a waver that we have to sign if theres no point to it. Besides, I don't see the issue of minors staying all night if they have an adult with them at all times, like you're making them do. Kids who decide to go to a controlled environment with people much older than themselves are much more mature than most kids/teenagers their age. Instead they could be out drinking, but no, they decide to come to your event. And now you're going to deny that to them? Unbelievable. I've been looking forward to this event all year, but there is no way I will be attending INFERNA-LAN if this policy is held. Nor will any of my friends I bring with me. For your better judgement, I recommend changing your policy, or you will lose a lot of money, and a lot of customer respect. You've already lost mine until this policy is changed. And if it isn't, where's my refund?
Epic fail intel, EPIC FREAKING FAIL.

i have to agree with about everyone that this is a pretty retarded policy. 

WHY!!!!

What is the purpose of this? Why are you enstating a policy that will discourage the event to the younger crowd? I strongly urge you (Intel) to revise your policty, or provide the impetus for creating such a policy.

Has there been some specific event, or is this just someone in legal with their panties in a bind? If you are so concerned about liability perhaps you should just not hold the event.

Good job, you've effectively discovered the wrong way to run a LAN.

Let me tell you a thing or two about running events because I've run events with minors before and this is NOT how it's done.�Apperantly you need a little bit of guidence and coaching because this must be your first time making a big important decision and your taking off your diapers and putting on your management underware. If you want to ruin LAN Fest you'll ignore what the people here are saying, otherwise listen to them because you are making a HUGE mistake and I don't even want to THINK about the kind of people that actually make this kind of retarded decision.

Last modified on 10/23/2009 at 4:49 pm

I want my money back!!!
My wife and I have been attending the lanfest event in Dupont for the last 4 years with our children. Now after purchasing our tickets totaling $100, we are told my boys aren't welcome past 10pm because they are not over 18???? This is NOT fair! Just because I have kids that love to game, they are punished by this policy along with me and my wife? This is just wrong on several levels. With that said, I use the Intel's lanfest as leverage to encourage my boys to do good in school. If my boys come home with good grades, they are rewarded with the privilege of being able to attend the lanfest event, stay up all night, and game with their best friends. I am rewarded with the pride that my kids have done good with school and I get to spend precious time with my family. Christmas, Halloween, birthdays, and lanfest are all holidays as far as my kids are concerned. We purchased these tickets under false pretenses this time around. I can't imagine this environment as anything less but educational fun as it stimulates their social, technical, behavioral skills in a positive ways. So, why has Intel made this drastically abrasive change? Do they REALLY not understand the percentage of children that make up this very important demographic? I guess all good things must come to an end. Putting aside my rhetoric, I'd like to get my money back since I am not welcome at lanfest due to my parental responsibilities. I will find other ways to spend recreational time with my family by not attending nor referring other gamers to lanfest at intel until this policy is reviewed and the powers at be recognize that they are not properly marketing to the gamer group. The group which actually knows about your products!

Well.. whom ever is involved with imposing this rule or making a stink about it should be forced to attend one of these events so they can see how important all of the lanfest events are. Its community that the organizers bring together and cater to. How can anyone argue with catering to the community? Hell.. all proceeds are being given to charity. I'd love to know just who is involved with this calamity. I shouldn't speculate but my guess its some dude so anal that he probably stops the shower and gets out to pee!!!

Totally Disappointed,
Tommy Gallegos
Olympia, WA

Kinda like saying minors have to leave Disney Land after 10pm, or the Arcade, or....never mind...

You may have failed to realize that the LAN parties are driven by the kids....not the adults. If you cut the kids out many of the adults will leave as well. LAN parties are put together for people to gather round and have fun. Many adults want to do these parties with their kids, and it's a good event for everyone. Kids aren't going to go to a party and set up their computer to get 2 or 3 hours of playtime...and it's a good bet that the adults don't want to be there without their kids.

Whats wrong with the Waiver???

 Can I have a friend that is 18 or older be my guardian? I'm 17 and have been going here for a few events in the past couple years and have enjoyed it very much, never had any problems. Please let me know.