PAX Prime 2010 Info and FAQ Thread (ASK QUESTIONS HERE)

Moe Fwacky

Yes, although your identity is technically confidential already.

CaptainTapole

jaberwockynmt wrote: »

MarySue wrote: »

Oh, yeah, baby, talk to me about queuing theory... No, I'm serious, this stuff gets my geek on like woah.

I once lured a girl into bed with the Chinese proof of the Pythagorean Theorem.

Teletheus wrote: »

jaberwockynmt wrote: »

At East10, the Merch Booth used the W system of queuing. I assume they will use it at Prime this year too. There isn't much risk in using a card because everyone using cards generally slows the line for ~everyone. They probably have more cashiers than credit card machines so when all of the credit card machines are blocking, the extra cashiers will ask for people that wish to pay cash and the person with cash closest to the front will get to skip to the front.

Wow. I've thought a little about this stuff before, but I never knew it had its own field of theory (or that its theories were known by these names). Great read.

I think Eric just made up "M system" and "W system" after McDonald's and Wendy's restaurants. I'm not sure what the Queuing Theory people formally call them.

I know at the Disney Parks (Warning! Nerd of Different Lateral Level Alert!) they do what is called pulsing. Where the lines go in different zig-zags, curls and ways to keep a constant and steady flow of folks to make it think that the line is actually moving when it could not be.

Or, could go by the San Diego Comic-Con way (specifically lining up for Expo Hall and Hall H for those who know about this) by smooshing everyone and then separating them out in three-five smaller lines when it comes to the first row of the line system itself.

However, do to massive amount of folks and such a small amount of room--theory, a meshing of the pulsing and smooshing.

...I should have actually read what was going on before placing in my three-and-a-third cents. ^_^;;

big haircut

What are some of the best DS Games to bring? I heard Dragon Quest IX will be big, but i've heard other games are great too. I remember going to PAX East and hearing about a game where you can get passive bonuses just by having other DS players near by, any idea which game that would be? I figure this is my best chance in a while to be around so many other DSes.

Serenity

jaberwockynmt wrote: »

Swag Bags:
There will be bags at both Benaroya and Queue Room on Friday. It's possible that one place or the other may run out before Saturday morning; ask any Line Management or Info Booth Enforcer and we'll know or find out for you.

Sweet!
This is kind of bordering on a BYOC thread question but, does anyone know if there will be wristbands and swag bags handed out to the BYOC attendees again this year?

It was a nice surprise last year since I woke up late and got into the convention centre around 11am last year. (Never again!)

Wormdundee

Is there a map of the whole convention centre out? I would like to see the exact areas where the expo hall takes up and where tabletop is at, and all the other rooms. I imagine it will be in the swag bag but I'm anxious!

ASimPerson

Wormdundee wrote: »

Is there a map of the whole convention centre out? I would like to see the exact areas where the expo hall takes up and where tabletop is at, and all the other rooms. I imagine it will be in the swag bag but I'm anxious!

http://www.wsctc.com/our_space/Floor_Plans.aspx

Is the floor plan for the convention center itself.

The main expo hall will consist of rooms 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, and 4F. 4A is the convention center queue room this year.

6E will once again be console freeplay, and 6ABC is BYOC and PC freeplay.

6D and 602/603/604 will be theaters again this year, but outside of that I don't know how the rest of the 6th floor is being allocated or how the 2nd and 3rd floors will be used.

BigRed

Serenity wrote: »

jaberwockynmt wrote: »

Swag Bags:
There will be bags at both Benaroya and Queue Room on Friday. It's possible that one place or the other may run out before Saturday morning; ask any Line Management or Info Booth Enforcer and we'll know or find out for you.

Sweet!
This is kind of bordering on a BYOC thread question but, does anyone know if there will be wristbands and swag bags handed out to the BYOC attendees again this year?

It was a nice surprise last year since I woke up late and got into the convention centre around 11am last year. (Never again!)

BYOC will get swag bags.

For wristbands see:
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?p=16188613#post16188613

gquiller

I am sorry if this has been asked before (please direct to link), but I had heard that PAX releases more tickets just prior to Friday-is there any truth to this?

Thanks in advance!

journies_end

Last year they did at the convention center box office, but only for "that day" (Friday tickets sold on Friday, Saturday tickets on Saturday, Sunday on Sunday). But its never a 100% thing.

SpawnOfCthulhu

That was because they miscalculated the total amount of people coming, and realized that they could fit more people in.
I can guarantee you that this will not happen again, and that they have taken better estimations of population into account.
Sorry.

gquiller

SpawnOfCthulhu wrote: »

That was because they miscalculated the total amount of people coming, and realized that they could fit more people in.
I can guarantee you that this will not happen again, and that they have taken better estimations of population into account.
Sorry.

Ok THX - Craig's List here I come unless there is another way (any ideas?)!!!

BurningHiccups

Does anyone know where I can get a map of the convention center? I want to make sure I know where I'm going and not have to stop to ask where something is.

SlickShughes

BurningHiccups wrote: »

Does anyone know where I can get a map of the convention center? I want to make sure I know where I'm going and not have to stop to ask where something is.

Scroll up. Two posts.

BurningHiccups

SlickShughes wrote: »

Scroll up. Two posts.

Thank you. I tried the search function and it did not show anything.

journies_end

See if you can find any gaming sites via Twitter or Facebook that are doing last minute giveaways (or for people with extra badges/last min bailouts)? Good luck man.

Heleor

I ask again, as nobody still has answered, and a bunch of people are asking:

Is Benaroya's bag policy going to be enforced? If so, what bags are allowed?

gquiller

Moe Fwacky wrote: »

There will be a total of 2000 wristbands handed out on friday and saturday to the first 1000 people in each line. Lines open up at 8am. There is no line before this time, and it is likely people hanging out much earlier will be dispersed.

Ok no forming - does anyone hazard a quess when I should be in the area?

mspencer

A couple minutes before 8 AM should be fine.

gquiller

Moe Fwacky wrote: »

There will be a total of 2000 wristbands handed out on friday and saturday to the first 1000 people in each line. Lines open up at 8am. There is no line before this time, and it is likely people hanging out much earlier will be dispersed.

Another question-THX

Does this mean there are a total of 2k each day? If so where are the 2 lines located please...

gquiller

mspencer wrote: »

A couple minutes before 8 AM should be fine.

THANKS!!!

mspencer

Yes, 2000 per day, 1000 in the line-up room at Benaroya and 1000 in the line-up room at the WSCC (which we will direct you to after you arrive at the WSCC.)

gquiller

mspencer wrote: »

Yes, 2000 per day, 1000 in the line-up room at Benaroya and 1000 in the line-up room at the WSCC (which we will direct you to after you arrive at the WSCC.)

Is Benaroya where the Main Speakers are? Anything else there?

SlickShughes

gquiller wrote: »

mspencer wrote: »

Yes, 2000 per day, 1000 in the line-up room at Benaroya and 1000 in the line-up room at the WSCC (which we will direct you to after you arrive at the WSCC.)

Is Benaroya where the Main Speakers are? Anything else there?

Keynote, Gabe and Tycho, Concerts, some of the bigger panels. Check the first column here.

gquiller

SlickShughes wrote: »

gquiller wrote: »

mspencer wrote: »

Yes, 2000 per day, 1000 in the line-up room at Benaroya and 1000 in the line-up room at the WSCC (which we will direct you to after you arrive at the WSCC.)

Is Benaroya where the Main Speakers are? Anything else there?

Keynote, Gabe and Tycho, Concerts, some of the bigger panels. Check the first column here.

So what location would be the better bet for getting a ticket? I think Benaroya because it is new...

We are directed to the waiting rm once it hits 8?

Thanks for allowing me to be a pest-THANKS!

Ps-I should have bought before NOW :oops:

causabon

gquiller wrote: »

So what location would be the better bet for getting a ticket? I think Benaroya because it is new...

Neither. Those locations are for free concert wristbands for people who have a badge (i.e. PAX ticket).

There will be no on-site badge sales. All sold out.

mspencer

If you haven't already purchased a pass for PAX, and that's what you mean by a ticket, you might be out of luck. Check the have/need thread or buy from a scalper on Craigslist.

If you do already have a pass and are talking about a concert wristband as a ticket, the wristband is for concerts only, not for the major talks and panels in the theater. But I don't know which will have fewer people lining up in it. I'd imaging fewer people will line up at the Benaroya but that's just a guess.

gquiller

mspencer wrote: »

If you haven't already purchased a pass for PAX, and that's what you mean by a ticket, you might be out of luck. Check the have/need thread or buy from a scalper on Craigslist.

If you do already have a pass and are talking about a concert wristband as a ticket, the wristband is for concerts only, not for the major talks and panels in the theater. But I don't know which will have fewer people lining up in it. I'd imaging fewer people will line up at the Benaroya but that's just a guess.

Thanks for the clarification!

dragon keeper x

Does anyone have a list of the games being presented in the exhibition hall?

if this belongs in the FAQ i apologize.

gquiller

I don't see the info on the main page-link plz and thank you!

thetelevisi0n

Don't know if a list of specific games exists, but there is an expo hall map with the list of companies.

http://www.paxsite.com/paxprime/expohallmap.pdf

Dreamwriter

A real badge is made of plastic?

GeeCee

There aren't any holograms or anything like that on this year's badges.. but this is what a three day badge looks like I believe:



I've seen some media badges for sale on Craigslist which look sideways and don't appear to have the proper PAX 2010 logo on them.

SpawnOfCthulhu

GeeCee wrote: »

There aren't any holograms or anything like that on this year's badges.. but this is what a three day badge looks like I believe:



I've seen some media badges for sale on Craigslist which look sideways and don't appear to have the proper PAX 2010 logo on them.

The smaller, credit card sized badges are from 2008.
The current badge size is roughly that of a quarter of a piece of standard paper.

pogoplay

Where abouts will the registration be for the console tournaments? There is a couple I would like to play in.


Thanks in advance.

dyaballikl

Heleor wrote: »

I ask again, as nobody still has answered, and a bunch of people are asking:

Is Benaroya's bag policy going to be enforced? If so, what bags are allowed?

No, it will not apply to PAX.

Cheebus wrote: »

For bag size use common sense. If it is too big to fit at a standard theater seat with you (on your lap or under your seat) without spilling out into the aisle or into the adjacent seat it is too big. If you have a bag you think is too large please opt for balcony seating as there is a bit more room around those seats (not much, but it may make the difference).

Binkley

From the console tournament thread located at:

http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=125546

Registration for ALL console tournaments begins on Friday, September 3rd, right outside of the console tournament area.

Moe Fwacky

GeeCee wrote: »

There aren't any holograms or anything like that on this year's badges.. but this is what a three day badge looks like I believe:



I've seen some media badges for sale on Craigslist which look sideways and don't appear to have the proper PAX 2010 logo on them.

That's because those media badges for sale on Craigslist were from 2009.

thespiffyneostar

I don't remember last year, but the 09 badge had a hologram sticker on it, but I'm not sure if it came with it, or it was given when you got a lanyard... so no holo might be ok?

SlickShughes

The 09 badges came with the holos on them. Someone official (can't remember who off hand) confirmed the no holos for this year thing though, so it's ok for sure.

cmansocked

So I bought some badges through the forum. Is there any registration I need to fill out beforehand? Since I did not buy them first hand and all.