The Art of Hosting a Gaming Marathon

Created by: Alan Sanoja, Brandon Kummer, Richard Gutierrez, Abrian Porras, Olivia Hughes, Christopher Whitehead, William Brown

Table of Contents

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Table of Contents Contents

Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................... iii Introduction ................................................................................................................................... v Warnings........................................................................................................................................ 3 How to Set Up Your Xbox 360 ..................................................................................................... 7 What to Eat? ................................................................................................................................ 15 How to Sit..................................................................................................................................... 19 Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................................... 23 Index ............................................................................................................................................. 29 Glossary ....................................................................................................................................... 31

Introduction

Introduction
The art of throwing a LAN party has been lost with the younger generation since they have always known high speed internet. They have had the benefit of using Xbox live or PlayStation network and microphones to play with their friends from the comfort of their own home. This guide will help even the most novice gamer, throw an unforgettable gaming marathon for their buddies. You are probably wondering why you would go through all this trouble to provide a gaming marathon when you could play games over the internet. Its like the difference between watching a live sports game verse watching it on the television, or listening to your favorite CD instead of attending a live concert. You cannot compare the two. Being in the stadium or amphitheater bring a whole new level of experience to the participants and spectators. This same idea applies to video games. When you have eight people gaming in the same room, the atmosphere is more intense and the victories are even sweeter. If you have never attended a gaming marathon you have not fully experienced all aspects of gaming. There is nothing quite like spending all night challenging your buddies to games, and having a playful trash talking session. In this manual we will cover everything from console setup, to best sitting arrangements for your gaming marathon. If you follow our guide, you will be guaranteed a long and successful gaming marathon that you and your buddies will soon not forget.

Warning

Warnings

Warnings
There may be electrical hazards when you initially set up a game console. Be sure to turn all power off to the electronics prior to connecting any electrical wiring. There may be damage to the gaming consoles and or the television. Electrical shock may also occur if the power is to remain on. Sitting in proper positions may reduce possible fatigue and pain during game play. Avoid sitting to close to the television set to avoid eye strain. A general rule of an 8 foot minimum distance from an average 40 inch TV. Children may be present. Censoring the games or finding age appropriate games maybe necessary. Avoid inappropriate language that may not be necessary to use during game play. Avoid excessive game playing. Problems include video game-provoked seizures with epilepsy. In rare and extreme cases, deaths have resulted from excessive video game playing. Make sure to take breaks every two hours. Make sure you get up and walk around to promote blood flow. Possible over eating may occur if you dont monitor your eating intake. Typically gaming marathons serve nothing but junk foods. Also take in consideration possible food related health problems of each guest. Make sure your restroom is well stocked prior to gaming marathon with proper toiletries. This well help you avoid potentially embarrassing situations which may result in prolonged interruption of gaming and loss of friendship.

How to Set Up

How to Set Up Your Xbox 360

How to Set Up Your Xbox 360

Things needed
Xbox 360 Visual and Audio Cable TV Video Games Controller o Two AA batteries per wireless controller Power Cords o Wall to gray box o Gray box to Xbox Router, gateway, or modem o A network cable o A high-speed Internet connection such as cable or DSL

The Art of Hosting a Gaming Marathon

I. Determine Location
The first step to setting up your Xbox 360 is deciding where to set up your equipment for your video game session. The following are a few things to consider:

Seating
Video game sessions tend to be much longer than the average movie. It is important when preparing for a video game marathon to find a place that is comfortable for the long amount of time you are about to spend with your Xbox 360. The debate often boils down to bed or couch. Each location comes with its own pros and cons; however couch is often the winner. The reason behind this is the number of players involved. The bed is ideal for one person, but can comfortably accommodate a maximum of two people. The couch is a solid choice for any number of players.

Lighting
Lighting is imperative when it comes to playing long sessions of video games. With that amount of time commitment windows become a concern. The sun moves over the course of the day and if your television is close to a window, you may experience an unexpected glare. For optimal lighting, try to make the room dark. Close the blinds. Place your television where a wall is the backdrop. Turn off any lights as necessary.

Size of Television
Video games are highly detailed interactive pieces of art. Given a high amount of that interactive art can kill your avatar you will want to be at a distance in which you can view your television. The smaller your television, the closer you will want to sit to it.

Length of Cords
The length of cords you are working with be a deciding factor in where you set up your equipment. Television cords tend to be shorter than Xbox 360 cords.

How to Set Up Your Xbox 360

II. Set Up A. Television

1. Determine Location

2. Move furniture as necessary 3. Decide where you will set up your television. 4. Plug in your television to the nearest power outlet. 5. Connect the other end to audio/visual plug in the back or side of your television. Note: Some televisions have multiple audio/visual slots. These slots correspond with a different input on you television. If you are using the colored cords, make sure they all line up on the same input. Each input is in a vertical straight line.

Visual/Audio HDMI cord

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The Art of Hosting a Gaming Marathon

B. Xbox 360
1. Place your Xbox 360 console to the side or below your television. This is

recommended in case you are using a controller with a cord.

2. Prevent overheating by placing a plastic bottle cap under each corner of your Xbox

360. The bottle caps will allow an increase of air flow to your console. 3. Plug in Power cord into the corresponding slot in the back of the Xbox 360 console. The power cord is the thick gray cord with the big rectangular box in the middle. 4. Connect power cord to outlet. Make sure connecting cord is plugged in fully to the rectangular box. 5. Plug in audio/visual cord into corresponding slot on back of your Xbox 360 console. 6. Insert Ethernet cable into slot on the back of your Xbox 360 console.

Network Cable Power Cord Audio/Visual Cable

Bottle Cap

How to Set Up Your Xbox 360

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7. Plug the other end of your Ethernet cable into your router, gateway, or modem. You can also utilize a LAN connection to connect 2 to 4 Xbox 360 consoles to increase the number of players at your party. To directly connect two Xbox 360 consoles plug the Ethernet cords into each console directly connecting them. 8. Connect your controller to your console. This can be done in a variety of ways. If you are using a corded controller or a play and charge kit for your wireless controller, insert the USB end into the corresponding slot in your Xbox 360 console. There are three slot you can plug your controller into on your Xbox 360 console. Two of the slots are located on the front of the console to the right of the disc drive. The third is located on the back of the console above the network cable. They are only three controller slots. Therefore if you want to play four players on one console, one controller will need to be a wireless controller. You can also connect any wireless controllers by syncing them with your console. More information on syncing can be found in the trouble shooting section. 9. Turn on your Xbox 360 console by pressing the center X button in the middle of any connected or synced controller. The corresponding light around the center X on your controller lets you know which player you are (1, 2, 3, or 4). First player has the top left light on their circle lit up, second player has top right, third player bottom left, fourth player bottom right.

Example of first players controller. Notice the light in the upper left of the circle is lit up

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The Art of Hosting a Gaming Marathon

10. Insert video game by pressing the disc drive open via the arrow shaped button to the left of the disc drive. 11. Place game disc in disc drive. 12. Close the disc drive. You can now access the video game through the Xbox 360 interactive menu.

What to Eat

What to Eat?

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What to Eat?
To have a gaming marathon you must have the proper foods in order to avoid breaks, starvation, dehydration, and messy controllers. The supplies and foods listed below will help you enhance your video gaming experience. Supplies Napkins Paper plates Solo Cups Main Course Pizza Burritos Sweet Snacks Cookies Candy(bite size are best for keeping your hands free) Salty Snacks Tortilla chips Potato chips Dips(such as cheese and ranch dip) Drinks

Water Energy drinks Gatorade Mountain Dew Other sodas

Warnings
Avoid cheesy and saucy snacks such as Cheetos and Hot Wings. These foods tend to be messy. Sour and spicy foods lead to more frequent bathroom breaks.

How to Sit

How to Sit

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How to Sit
Sitting for long periods of time can take a toll on your body. If you want to prevent the harmful stress that can be placed on your body then a proper sitting technique is in order.

When you are sitting in a chair push your hips as far back as possible into chair. Adjust the seat so your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are a little lower than your hips. Adjust the seat to where you are sitting with a 100-110 degree angle between your back and legs. Make sure your upper and lower back are supported.

the

If you are using a computer then you should sit close to your keyboard. Place your monitor directly in front of you about an arms length away from your face. Adjust the monitor to prevent any glare from overhead lights.

Every now and then do some exercises to stretch your hands and fingers. You should also try to take a break every two hours. You should get up, walk around, and stretch other parts of your body.

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Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

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Troubleshooting
Problem What do I do if my system is not connecting to the internet? Solution 1. If youre using a direct Ethernet connection, make sure the cable is firmly inserted. 2. If you are using a wireless connection check to make sure that you dont need a WEP or MAC key. If one is needed you will find it on the router. 3. Check to make sure the router is operational and connected Tip: If the router is connected and functioning properly, a light will be blinking under Connected. 4. Check to make sure that your service provider is not running maintenance. I hear the game, but theres HDMI: 1. Check to make sure no image on the TV. that the HDMI cable is secured in both the system and the TV. 2. If the HDMI cable is secured, check to make sure you are on the right channel. Tip: This is usually called HDMI1 or HDMI2. 3. If none of the above Alternative If none of these steps worked, you will simply have to resort to playing offline or starting a LAN party. 1. To set up a LAN simply connect all systems to a router via a wired connection. 2. If the systems do not show up in the LAN immediately then, a. Restart the router while all systems are connected b. Restart the systems individually Tip: Find a good single player game. Tip: Find friends to play offline multiplayer with. (Preferably someone below your skill level so you can feel professional!)

HD A/V 1. Check to make sure that the corresponding red, green and blue cables are plugged into the red, green and blue connections on the TV. 2. Check to make sure the cable is firmly connected to your system. 3. If there is another set of red/green/blue connections, try those.

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The Art of Hosting a Gaming Marathon options worked, try a new HDMI cable. If that works the HDMI cable is faulty, if not 4. The HDMI connections on your TV or system might be faulty. Further troubleshooting is required from either the systems technical manual or the TVs technical manual. Tip: These manuals should have troubleshooting guides as well. Xbox 360: 1. If your controller is functional, but shows a blinking light rotating around the center button, hold the wireless connection button on the shoulder of the controller while holding the wireless connection button on the system. 2. Try to plug the controller directly into the system to establish connection. Xbox 360: 1. Check to make sure the disc was inserted properly. 2. Eject the disc tray and reinsert it. 3. Restart the system entirely.

4. Check to make sure youre on the right channel Tip: Usually Component 1 or 2.

My controller is on, but will not connect to the system.

PS3: 1. Plug the controller into the system to establish a direct connection and let the controller charge for 2-3 minutes. 2. Run the wireless search option under System Settings, once it finds the controller allow the PS3 to configure the controller. Tip: Always leave the PS3 controller plugged in overnight to avoid this problem. PS3: 1. Check to make sure the disc was inserted properly. 2. Restart the system entirely. 3. Clean the disc with specialty disc cleaner and

My game is inserted and reading but not playing?

Troubleshooting

25 a microfiber cloth. WARNING: Do not use household chemical cleaners, i.e. Windex. These can damage the disc.

My system randomly shut off, although it rebooted immediately.

4. Clean the disc using specialty disc cleaner and a microfiber cloth. WARNING: Do not use household chemical cleaners, i.e. Windex. These can damage the disc. 1. Check to make sure it was not a power outage. 2. Feel to see if the system is giving off residual heat. 3. If it is, you must allow 1-2 hours for the system to cool down or you risk damaging the system. 1. Invest in bottled soda. Recap after every gulp. 2. Invest in a cup with an airtight lid. 3. Invest in a fountain drink dispenser and only drink half a cup at a time. 1. Realize its been 30 minutes since you ordered food. 2. Forget and keep playing video games. 3. Pay for late food and thank the delivery driver happily. 1. Take a 15 minute break every hour to

Invest in an aftermarket cooler. Make sure the system has adequate air flow to and from the system, i.e. the system is not wedged between two objects or the system is not under anything.

What do I do if I found my soda has gone flat during the marathon?

1. Drink your soda faster. 2. Benefit from sugar/caffeine overload.

What do I do if my food delivery is late?

1. Call said restaurant to check on the status of your order. 2. If your order has not left yet, ask to change it to carry out. 3. Drive to the store and pick up your food. 1. Drink an energy drink.

What do I do if Im starting to feel fatigue?

26 stretch and walk around.

The Art of Hosting a Gaming Marathon 2. Fight through the fatigue.

2. Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. 3. Rest for 1-2 hours when feeling extremely tired. 1. To prevent cramps, take a stretch and stroll break every hour. 2. Make sure to sit in a proper position so as to avoid constricting your muscles. 3. Consume electrolytes such as in Gatorade or pickle juice. 1. Determine the problem, if possible. (i.e. loose screw on the bottom, loose wheel) 2. Acquire proper materials. 3. Perform emergency maintenance on your seat. 1. See if any of your company would be interested in playing with you. 2. If not, turn off the console and socialize. 3. Think about gaming the entire time, so come off socially awkward until

What do I do if I get a cramp?

1. Flex and rest your cramped muscle until its no longer cramped. 2. Rabbit kick, i.e. stomp the ground, until feeling returns to your extremity 3. Curl and uncurl your fingers and/or toes until feeling returns to your extremities. 1. Sit in the seat until it collapses from said malfunction. 2. Continue gaming from the floor, so as not to lose that awesome kill streak!

What do I do if my seat is malfunctioning?

What do I do if I/my roommates have company during my gaming marathon?

1. Acknowledge the presence of your company being there. 2. Continue gaming. Tip: Keeping the console out of any major social area is an easy way to avoid this problem.

Troubleshooting company leaves. 4. Continue gaming. 1. Remain calm, anger or frustration only cause you to play worse. 2. Keep your eyes open for any opportunity to turn the tables on your enemy. (i.e. 2 versus 1, sniping) 3. Be aware of your surroundings and what your teammates are doing. Tip: Stick with your teammates to be more effective.

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How do I overcome a death streak?

1. Give in to defeat, set your controller down and walk away. 2. Come back 10 minutes later, saying Im not going to let them beat me. 3. Repeat Steps 1-2 until required to do something else. (i.e. class, work or sleep)

Index

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Index
Amphitheater, 31 Epilepsy, 31 Gateway, 31 LAN, v, 11, 23, 31 Router, 7, 31 Sitting, 3, 19 Video, iii

Glossary

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Glossary
Amphitheater A lecture room in which seats are tiered away from a central area.

Epilepsy A group of related disorders characterized by a tendency for recurrent seizures.

Gateway A node that allows you to gain entrance into a network and vice versa.

LAN A system that links together electronic office equipment, such as computers and word processors, and forms a network within an office or building.

Router Connects a modem - like a DSL, cable, or fiber modem - to other devices to allow communication between those devices and the Internet.