LAN/INTERNET CAFE

There is a great lack of a local venue where people can socialize with other gaming enthusiasts and play together. Therefore, we are planning to start one!

But we need your help. With a larger collaboration and a belief in Helsingborg's youth life, we are planning to get a LAN/internet café up and running, where people of all ages can play and socialize, and where gaming enthusiasts can find a place they want to go and hang out. For this to work in a positive and sustainable way, it requires some planning. We would be happy to discuss further with anyone who is interested in joining us to start this project!

Trip to Poland

I took a trip to Poland to explore their range of internet and LAN cafés. During the trip, I studied how their premises were structured, what equipment and software they used, and what prices they offered their customers.

By visiting different cafés and analyzing their concepts, I gained a deeper understanding of how the industry operates in another country. It provided me with valuable insights and inspiration regarding both technical solutions and customer experience.

First city visited

Gdansk

During my visit to Gdańsk, I decided to visit a LAN café, and the first place I went to really impressed me. The internet cafe was located in the middle of a large shopping center, near a train station, and was both modern and lavish. The premises were large and well-equipped, with several sections adapted for different types of visitors.

Immediately after the dramatic entrance

Lounge Area

When I arrived, I ordered a coffee from the staff, and during that time, we had a long and interesting conversation. They were very accommodating and allowed me to look around the entire venue. The café had several VIP rooms equipped with better computers, a large general area with powerful computers, as well as a lounge with a large TV, a stage, and plenty of tables and chairs where visitors could gather and eat in larger groups. There was also a kitchen with a bar where they served both food and drinks.

Theme: Thermaltake

Well-built computers

The computers in the general area were not the very latest, but they were still up-to-date and powerful enough to handle most games at high settings. They were equipped with RTX 3070 Ti graphics cards, making them fully capable of delivering a good gaming experience. The VIP rooms, on the other hand, had even better equipment for those who wanted a more exclusive gaming experience.

Prices were relatively affordable – it cost approximately 40 Swedish Kronor per hour, and if you bought more hours, you received discounts. The café belonged to the Kinguin group, which had provided them with significant capital to invest in the business. This investment was clearly noticeable in the quality and well-thought-out design of the café.

In summary, it was an impressive LAN café with a great atmosphere, friendly staff, and good equipment – a perfect place for both casual and serious gamers.

Other city visited

Warsaw

During my visit to Warsaw, I took the opportunity to visit an internet café located centrally, near a McDonald's. Although the café wasn't particularly large, it had a well-planned layout with a larger area accommodating around 20 computer stations

Price list

At the entrance

At the entrance, there was a small hall where staff sat and helped visitors register an account to use the computers. There was also a fridge with various drinks for sale.

For those who wanted a more exclusive gaming experience, there was also a VIP room, equipped with slightly better computers than the regular ones. Although the computers in the general area were not the very latest on the market, they still maintained a good standard and performed well for most games. Prices were reasonable, with a cost of approximately 40 SEK per hour.

Security Mindset

The computers

The premises were well-ventilated and had good air conditioning, which made the environment feel comfortable even during longer gaming sessions. A clever security solution was that the computers were caged to minimise the risk of theft. The monitors were mounted on adjustable arms, allowing visitors to customise them to their own preferences.

Another impressive feature was the smooth system on the computers, where you could easily top up your time and make payments directly. For example, you could buy a soft drink or other beverage without having to leave your seat, which was a practical and well-thought-out feature.

In summary, this internet cafe was a pleasant place with a well-organised structure, good ventilation, and thoughtful details for both comfort and security.

Third city visited

Krakow

During my visit to Krakow, located in central Poland, I decided to visit the internet cafe Gamespot 24h. It had an excellent location, right in the city center, which made it easily accessible for both locals and tourists.

When I walked in

Gamespot 24

When I arrived, I was met by friendly staff. I chatted for a while with the person working there, and he explained that the business didn't just focus on computer rental but also on printing and print services, especially for restaurants. On the ground floor, you could rent basic computers to print A4 documents at a low cost. For those who wanted to game, the gaming computers were one flight up.

Upper floor

Dark and worn

Unfortunately, the upper floor left a lot to be desired. It was dark, the ventilation was poor, and it was clear that maintenance had not been a priority. The computers and their components were from around 2018, and the graphics cards were budget models. They worked fine for simpler games, but at higher settings, it was noticeable that the performance was not consistent. The same applied to the peripherals – most of them were worn and in need of an upgrade.

Gaming Computer

The Computers

Despite this, the venue was still a perfectly acceptable option for LAN gaming, especially due to its central location. On the upper floor, there were around 15 computers available for rent.

The price

The Price List

Another positive aspect was the low prices, which matched the equipment’s standard – it cost only 15 zloty for three hours of gameplay, which corresponds to approximately SEK 12.50 per hour.

In summary, Gamespot 24h was not a cutting-edge gaming experience, but it was an affordable and centrally located option for those who wanted to play for a while.