So you want to host a gaming get-together

So you want to host a
gaming get-together

In 1958, the American physicist William Higinbotham captivated a crowd at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in Long Island, New York when he introduced the world’s first video game: Tennis For Two, a simulated game of tennis played on an oscilloscope.

We’ve come a long way since then, but one thing hasn’t changed since Tennis For Two: we play video games together. In fact, one could argue that most video games are best enjoyed that way — not alone in a dark room, but in the company of other people.

As proof, look no further than the popularity of gaming parties. The thing about gaming parties, though, is that they don’t organise themselves. Every party needs a host! So, if you think you’re up to that task, here’s a quick and helpful guide to help you score high.

Set a good variety of games

If you’re hosting, it’s best to take the lead with game selection. Ahead of the party, think of three to five titles to throw into the agenda, so the group is never without an idea of what to play. These can be decided based on the personalities and preferences of people in the group. Obviously, it’s best to stay flexible — don’t force your games on the rest of the party!

Set up your display

You’re going to want to go big for this one. No matter the platform, it’s always nice to have a large display for everyone to enjoy. Something like the Samsung QLED Q80C 4K Smart TV, which stretches far and wide at 98 inches, will ensure that everyone can get in on the action. The Q80C also has Motion Xcelerator Turbo+, which allows for motion enhancements up to 4K 120Hz — super-fast, super-smooth frame rates. And to enhance your experience even further, it uses AI (powered by a Neural Quantum Processor) to improve picture quality at 4K. Even your most demanding guests will have to pick their jaws up from the floor.

Manage your hardware

Apart from setting up your display, it’s good to have a hardware checklist for everything else: consoles, PCs, fully-charged controllers, chargers for everything, and whatever else you think your party could use. That might even involve leaving something for the stragglers who prefer to, uh, go on “side quests” while everyone else is focused on the main game. A Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is perfect for this, because it’s intelligently engineered to deliver revved-up performance and power savings for champion-level gameplay. Load it up with games, leave it on the coffee table, and wait for someone to discover that it’s its own little console.

Set the scene

Ambience matters! That’s not just about managing the sound and music. (For that, you can count on the Samsung Q990D Soundbar, which uses Q-Symphony Technology to pair with your Samsung TV and use its speakers simultaneously to create an immersive surround-sound effect.) It’s also about clearing space for your party, getting the lighting right and bringing out your most comfortable chairs. Let no one say that gamers can’t also be fastidious party hosts, with tasteful touches on all the little non-gaming-related details.

Don’t forget food

Speaking of tasteful, make sure you’ve got a spread of good snacks and drinks to keep everyone fuelled throughout the party. Finger foods are best — preferably the kind that don’t get messy. Just the same, bust out the napkins and wet wipes. You won’t regret it!