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Company filling growing gaming market

Brothers Ted, left, and Tom Brown, holding his daughter Emeliya, have moved their business, Inland Northwest Gaming and Systems, to Spokane Valley. (Liz Kishimoto / The Spokesman-Review)
Christopher Rodkey Staff writer
Brothers Ted, left, and Tom Brown, holding his daughter Emeliya, have moved their business, Inland Northwest Gaming and Systems, to Spokane Valley. (Liz Kishimoto / The Spokesman-Review)

It’s quiet in Inland Northwest Gaming and Systems on this particular afternoon. The computer fans are humming softly and traffic passes by outside.

But put 10 people in here who are passionate about games, and the place will be filled with people clicking their way through one of this era’s newest activities: LAN gaming.

“You would not believe some of the kids in gaming now,” said Tom Brown, who with his brother Ted and father, Steve, owns INWGS.

LAN gaming involves a group of computers networked together to provide fast reactions in large, multiplayer games.

INWGS can host LAN parties, as they’re called, at its own facility, or they can host events elsewhere. Currently the company is working with others to host a large LAN event with 100 people at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center.

“There is a huge market for gaming,” Tom Brown said. “There is a large amount of fiber optic cable in Spokane and it’s not being totally utilized.”

Brown said the company is working with the Economic Development Council to help make Spokane a more attractive area for gamers.

INWGS also helps organize Xbox tournaments at the Spokane Valley Mall. Six events are planned this summer, Brown said.

And the business is considering expanding into the mall, hoping to open a new store called Browsrz, which will feature about 20 Apple and PC computers.

“We have a lot on our plates right now,” Brown said.

The family atmosphere of running the business allows flexibility and lets everyone contribute, Brown said.

“It’s a headache every once in a while,” Brown said, laughing, “but through thick and thin we’ve come through with a really great product.”

Workers at the Home Depot in Liberty Lake spent Thursday sprucing up the Mountain View Middle School softball field.

Employees volunteered to paint the concession stand and restroom facilities at the East Farms field, giving a facelift to the well-used gathering spot for families and kids.

The improvements are part of an annual nationwide push by the Home Depot to improve places where teams compete, children play and communities gather.