Digital Overload coming back to R.I.

BYOC: bring your own computer. That's what the first rule of Digital Overload is. Hosted by Tim Buckley, creator of the webcomic Ctrl-Alt-Del, Digital Overload is a LAN party/gaming convention dedicated to CAD fans. This March it's coming back to Providence, for the fourth year in a row. Tim Buckley is a renowned author world after creating the webcomic Ctrl-Alt-Del, a gaming-related comic, (also an animated series,) that shows the life of "video game addict" Ethan and his best friend, Lucas.

It all started in October 2002 and the story has now evolved to include Lilah, Ethan's fiancée and a quality gamer herself; Zeke, a robot Ethan built from his Xbox console; Scott, their other seldom seen roommate, as well as various other characters that show up and build the plot. The comics include random four-panel gags and longer story arcs that hook its readers in to coming back for more.

In his comics, Buckley's even gone so far as to develop a holiday for gamers, called Winter-een-mas, which lasts from Jan 25 - 31 every year. Many readers now celebrate it in their own ways and the holiday generates more revenue for CAD through sales of branded Winter-een-mas merchandise.

Since then, Buckley has expanded into other fields and media. Premium members only pay for a service that includes episodes as well as other materials such as exclusive wallpapers and strips. He has also published collections of CAD volumes and another comic book called "Analog and D+Pad," with characters based on Ethan and Lucas set in an alternate universe where they are superheroes.

Buckley has also started CADMedia, a review site for video games.

In 2006, he went even father and started Digital Overload. With the help of Ni! Networks, Buckley set up DO, a LAN party full of tournaments, games and fun. Welcoming all sorts of gamers - from tabletop to console - Digital Overload has grown to attract more than 600 attendees since its inception.

There are all sorts of things to do while there. Digital Overload hosts tournaments for PC games and console games, and a table games area is also set up to give people a break from watching monitors (but allow them to still have fun).

If gaming isn't your biggest thing, you can still come and meet new people, like webcomic authors and even Tim Buckley himself. In the past, fellow webcomic writers Brian Clevinger, creator of webcomic Nuklear Power, and Scott Ramsoomair, creator of VG Cats, have been in attendance.

The convention will be helf March 6-8 at the Rhode Island convention center. So why are we talking about this event so early?

Because registration starts on Sept 15. Due to the large popularity of the event, attendance will be capped. It's important for those who are even thinking of attending to decide soon and register.

Early registration gets you a cheaper badge, and even some extra items. From Sept 15 - Nov 3, badges can be bought for $45. If you buy it before Sept 29, you get a free T-shirt, too. The first 500 attendees who register will also receive a limited edition poster.

Tabletop-only badges can be bought for a cheaper price. Spectator badges are also available but can only be bought at the door.

To register, go to www.digital-overload.com. Tim Buckley's CAD comic can be found at www.cad-comic.com.