IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN: approximately 800 of the country's most obsessive gamers are about to haul their PC gaming rigs and consoles into Auckland's TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre for a weekend of non-stop gaming.

xLAN provides Kiwi gamers with an environment in which to network and play with a great deal of like-minded individuals.

With a comprehensive networked infrastructure, gamers can easily set up local matches in their favourite games. “It's all about getting the gamers of New Zealand together,” explains xLAN organiser and general manager of the On3 Network, Craig Nimmo.

While there's certainly a social aspect to xLAN, the event also plays host to the New Zealand World Cyber Games (WCG) qualifiers. The winning teams or participants in any of the WCG titles will effectively become New Zealand's representatives in the international finals.

And there's also the expo area where gaming vendors will showcase their latest and greatest wares. “It's an area that allows people to see what's available and what's coming up,” explains Nimmo.

xLAN 2010 takes place at the Telstraclear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau from Friday July 9th to Sunday July 11th .

Although registrations will have closed by the time you read this, it's completely free for spectators to head along and check out the action.