[deL]

dippa sure half the players are casuals who come and they keep the LAN events afloat, but I'd argue that the competitive or hardcore players are more important. They are the ones who come to EVERY LAN event where most of the others they cater to with these prizes will turn up once or twice and never again. Also the hardcore players are going to tell their friends and get more people to come to the LAN and help advertise it to other like-minded players. If you neglect the needs of this core group in any way you are damaging the longevity of such events - it doesn't mean throwing huge prizes at them, just a modest prize distributed in a well thought-out manner in a tournament that has a fair, seeded format is enough to keep these core players interested.

I'd say this brings in more support than the casuals even if they seem to make up 50%+ of the attendance, because without the hardcore players (or competitive level scene to watch on stream, etc.) these casual players would probably never hear or care about local events. Nothing makes you feel like playing more than seeing you local hero or favourite GSL player cut sick with some crazy strategies!