Skynet 2026 – Day 4 - That's a wrap

Day 4 of Skynet started with the quiet hum of power banks, as the lights were raised and the sound system turned up to wake us from our slumber and call everyone back to the tournaments.
With staff moving slightly slower than usual — due to exhaustion, not age, I was assured — we got straight into the Rocket League semi-finals.
First up, we saw Solar Flare Foreheads take on Degenerative Den Upper Management. With plenty of goals, near misses and some very tense moments, Degenerative Den Upper Management secured themselves a well-earned 3rd place.
That meant we could get straight into the final, with Custard Buns facing off against Fairy Tail.
After a tense match featuring some risky moves and plenty of close calls, Custard Buns narrowly took the lead and secured the title of Rocket League Champions of Skynet 2026!
We then had an hour's break, giving the staff time to sort out the scores and prizes, as well as take part in a quick photo shoot to prove that we actually exist.
Before we could begin the prize giving, Pope requested that everyone step away from their computers and brave the terrifyingly bright outdoors. Our wonderful photographer, Vel, took the opportunity to capture some fantastic group photos outside Theatr Brycheiniog for our photo gallery.
After surviving the shocking experience of sunlight, we rushed back inside and got started with the prize giving.
One team after another was called up to receive their medals and Steam prizes, celebrating all the hard work, skill and questionable decisions that had brought them to the podium.
Pope then took the opportunity to thank our wonderful sponsors, Calibre Connections and SudoCyber. Without their support, we simply wouldn't be able to put on such an amazing event.
A huge thank you also goes to Theatr Brycheiniog, who provide us with the space and allow us access to their incredible facilities and special effects, helping make Skynet the event it is.
With the prizes handed out, it was time for the raffle!
The big prize this year was a Steam Deck, generously donated by Calibre Connections. With more than 1,100 tickets sold, the final draw was certainly a nerve-racking one.
And the winner?
One of our LAN veterans, Schepke!
When asked what he planned to do with his new Steam Deck, Schepke revealed that he hoped to use it while the family was on holiday. So, naturally, we're all assuming it will belong to his daughter within about five minutes.
And with that, we reached the end of the Skynet 2026 schedule.
The staff were given a whole 30 minutes to sit down, relax and actually play a game themselves before the final job of the weekend began: tear-down.
The boxes were packed away, cables were coiled, equipment was loaded up, and somewhere along the way we're pretty sure someone has already written "Skynet 2027" on one of the boxes.
And just like that, another Skynet comes to an end.
All of us at Skynet would like to say a massive thank you to every single one of you who attended, competed, supported us, helped out and generally made the weekend what it was.
Your support is what makes it possible for us to bring our little Welsh LAN party back year after year, and we genuinely couldn't do it without you.
We hope to see you all again in 2027.
Assuming, of course, that we can convince Pope it's happening!