The Auckmageddon LAN tournament is returning to Auckland next month in a bid to bring "a fun and social focus" back to Kiwi gaming, says organiser Richard Patterson.

It has been seven years since the three-day event was last held and Patterson said he was hoping the 2010 edition would prove popular when it kicked off at North Harbour Stadium on August 27.

Auckmageddon would have an R18 bar, DJ's and more of a social focus than the country's largest gaming event, xLAN, which begins on July 9, he said.

"XLAN has quite a serious gaming focus. The main difference Auckmageddon offers is that it it's not all about qualifying for big tournaments. We do have prizes for tournament winners but we are more about gaming for fun."

The event would host solo and team tournaments for people wishing to compete in games including Battlefield Bad Company 2, Defense of the Ancients, Heroes of Newerth, Team Fortress 2 and Counterstrike Source. Winners would take home prizes such as hardware, games and Microsoft Sidewinder peripherals, Patterson said.

Tickets are priced at $85 and will remain on sale until August 22. Auckmageddon currently has 150 registered attendees.