Today it is trivially easy to play games on a computer, games console or phone with your friends over the internet. But before the wide availability of high-speed internet, things were more complicated. In the 1990s and early 2000s, 3D graphics in video games were becoming more and more complex, but the low network speeds of the period meant that these games, unlike slower-paced and less graphically intensive strategy games, were nearly unplayable over an internet connection. In this moment, in which communications technology was being outpaced by graphical power, the Lan (local area network) party was born. The term itself conjures up strong sensory memories for those who were there – sweaty bodies packed into a basement or convention hall, a dozen hefty computer monitors being manoeuvred into position. For those on the outside, these were scenes of incomprehension or ridicule.

Today's Wales-USA World Cup match. Things with which this World Cup is laden so far: Geopolitical intrigue and controversy. FIFA is touting an AI-powered decision-making system that will use sensors in the actual soccer ball to help determine calls. A vast network of facial recognition-enabled cameras will track the crowd, with technology in the same family as that deployed by the controversial firm Clearview AI. AI-powered sensors in the stadiums will even help control the climate.

More than two years post-launch, Rocket League keeps things fresh with regular updates to its car-based soccer game. We've seen a Dropshot mode added this past March, a basketball update in April, a cyberpunk look in June, a ton of freebies in an Anniversary update this past July, and some grappling hooks and giant boots this month. Now, developer Psyonix is announcing a massive Autumn update that will bring a host of new additions, including transparent goalposts, LAN play for PC and a Director mode that seems made especially for Rocket League eSports competitions. The new update should drop September 28th. The transparent goalposts were teased last month; now we know exactly when they'll be available in matches.