Back around the start of the new millenium a group of friends from Malax and the surrounding area realized that they shared an interest in gaming and information technology. That sparked the idea of what was to become the LAN-party called TheEncounter.
The first TheEncounter was held in Pixnehallen in Malax in 2002 and the event has lived long and prospered since then (with a short break somewhere around 2008). Thus this year marks the th anniversary of TheEncounter and that’s of course something we’re mighty proud of.
By we we’re referring to Malax IT-förening (MITF – the Malax IT-association) which is a nonprofit association located in Malax (Maalahti), where our events also take place. MITF concists of around 30 (more or a little less) active members, and amongst our ranks you’ll find both old school LAN-people who prefer to play Action Quake once or twice a year and pretty hardcore gamerz who spend a lot of time on the electronic battlefields.
Apart from TheEncounter MITF also hosts Malax Gameday twice a year at Bygdegården, which is the Malax Youth Associations (Malax UF) base in Malax. We also collaborate with the Pargas Gaming Community (PGC), marketing their PCGL online Counter Strike league in our area.
Every now and then MITF also arranges other kinds of events in Malax, such as sports nights in the summer when we play the glorious finnish game of pesäpallo.