LAN Tournament, help needed!

[SmackAHobo]

Ok guys, me and my mate are starting up our own company which organises commercial LAN tournaments around my local area. The whole thing is going to be legit and we'll be giving out Cash prizes and the like for people who win in certain events of the tournament. Of course there is an entry fee, too pay for electricity, cash prizes, renting places, and organising everything.
The problem is though, that we're having a hard time figuring out how we would like to register everyone.
Basically we want people to register on our site with their gamertag and the rest of their information. We'll then take this stuff and put it into a list of people that are coming. How would you guys advise that we go about this?

Secondly, the fee for entry to the event, we'd like to secure the payment from people before the actual event (Bank deposit, ideas anyone?) so that it is ensured that we get everyone that says they are coming. This way, if people pull out and don't tell anyone then we'll be one person short and someone else could have taken their position.

So, do you guys have any ideas that you'd like to share?
All help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks guys.

 

[Goosemaster]

get a host, get a shopping cart, create a database, setup the website and have printable receipts or jsut requrie ID and check it with the DB.

 

[SmackAHobo]

Bump? Anyone else with any ideas?

 

[jlazzaro]

da goose pretty much hit it on the head...

get a domain and a shopping cart. redirect signups for the tournament to the cart where they can pay via visa, mastercard, paypal, etc. the shopping cart sends them an electronic receipt with the order number, tournament info, requirements such as ID, parent?s permissions if there under 18. the shopping cart also adds their information into a central database for your reference.

the day of at the door, have the database ready and check people off as they come. require the receipt they printed out, proper identification, etc.

if you are under your max limit for tournament participants prior to the start, allow walk-ins for $5 or $10 more than the online fee.

 

[SmackAHobo]

Wouldn't it just be suffecient enough to have them register online with their gamertag, first name and last name and then they have to provide identification at the door to show that they say who they are.
Also, is it required that someone under the age of 18 attending these events has to have their parents permission? Do i really need to have that?
Thanks.

 

[chairbornrangerx]

if your going to be a business then for legal reasons I'd say YES

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: SmackAHobo
Also, is it required that someone under the age of 18 attending these events has to have their parents permission? Do i really need to have that?
Thanks.

Consult your attorney. This area of the law is probably jurisdictional.

EDIT: Also consult your insurance agent, it may not be required by law but it could be a good idea insurance wise.

 

[SmackAHobo]

O ok, thans for the advice guys.
Aside from that, what do you guys think i should do about modded xbox's?
Apparently, some people with modded xbox's have the ability to change maps in certain games by editing files ect. This wouldn't really help in a tournament for money. What do you guys think? How could i prevent people from bringing modded xbox's?

 

[n0cmonkey]

Supply the xboxs yourself.

 

[SmackAHobo]

O yea, i forgot about the 100 xbox's i have at home.
Come on man, be serious. Anyone else with any ideas (sensible)

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: SmackAHobo
O yea, i forgot about the 100 xbox's i have at home.
Come on man, be serious. Anyone else with any ideas (sensible)

try doing some research.

 

[Leros]

I don't understand the concept of your business. You want people to pay to bring their own equipment? If I'm gonna pay to LAN, I wanna walk in, sit down, and play.

 

[jlazzaro]

BYOC Lan...not that uncommon. Summer CPL had this style for some of the smaller games that didnt bring the crowds. It's all about budget.

 

[SmackAHobo]

Originally posted by: Leros
I don't understand the concept of your business. You want people to pay to bring their own equipment? If I'm gonna pay to LAN, I wanna walk in, sit down, and play.

Obviously you don't understand the concept of a LAN then. With most big lans you have to bring your own stuff. You said that "You want people to pay to bring their own equipment?", well teh answer is yes. We aren't here to provide equipment, we're here to setup lans so people can play other people around the area and to meet new challenges.