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[EAST] Pre-PAX East 2012 Gaming Night - Thursday, April 5, 2012 - Westin Waterfront Hotel
ottoman673
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Haven't seen a thread about this yet, so I figured I'd go ahead and make one.
This was one of my favorite events last PAX. Last year, a bunch of us gathered in the lobby at the Westin and a lot of people had TTG's. It was a great way for those like me who went to PAX alone to meet new people, yet also try some new games or play a few classics too. I recall a few epic games of Pandemic, and a little bit of Munchkin and Dominion as well.. and it was a great time. So, I want to see it happen again!
Ideally, the night begins around 6:00pm on Thursday, April 5th. at the Westin Waterfront Hotel. We will be gaming on the mezzanine level, a change from last year [thanks, @LexiconGrrl]. The hotel has stated they will set up tables and whatnot for us.
I recall last year having about 50-60 people at least. A concern some had was that it runs right along with the Pre-PAX Dinner/Crawl, and the train doesn't get in until later... but we seemed to have plenty of people regardless, and more just joined as the night progressed. There's only two things we need for this to work:
1. People
2. Games
So if you're interested, feel free to post! I myself will be bringing along Zombie and Cthulu Dice - flying with other, larger TTG's is kind of unpractical.
Edit: Go ahead and add Cards Against Humanity and Pandemic! to my list, as well.
Looking for a game/group at PPE Gaming Night, or the entirety of PAX for that matter? We will be using the hashtag #ttlfg on Twitter. You can also follow @TT_HQ for updates on games throughout the weekend.
Don't use Twitter/don't have a smartphone, etc., but want updates? If you've got a cell phone that can send/receive text messages, you can text follow tt_hq to 40404. I did this my first PAX for the lines, and the Official PAX feed... it helped me keep up with everything, and didn't rely on shaky data connections!
This was one of my favorite events last PAX. Last year, a bunch of us gathered in the lobby at the Westin and a lot of people had TTG's. It was a great way for those like me who went to PAX alone to meet new people, yet also try some new games or play a few classics too. I recall a few epic games of Pandemic, and a little bit of Munchkin and Dominion as well.. and it was a great time. So, I want to see it happen again!
Ideally, the night begins around 6:00pm on Thursday, April 5th. at the Westin Waterfront Hotel. We will be gaming on the mezzanine level, a change from last year [thanks, @LexiconGrrl]. The hotel has stated they will set up tables and whatnot for us.
I recall last year having about 50-60 people at least. A concern some had was that it runs right along with the Pre-PAX Dinner/Crawl, and the train doesn't get in until later... but we seemed to have plenty of people regardless, and more just joined as the night progressed. There's only two things we need for this to work:
1. People
2. Games
So if you're interested, feel free to post! I myself will be bringing along Zombie and Cthulu Dice - flying with other, larger TTG's is kind of unpractical.
Edit: Go ahead and add Cards Against Humanity and Pandemic! to my list, as well.
Looking for a game/group at PPE Gaming Night, or the entirety of PAX for that matter? We will be using the hashtag #ttlfg on Twitter. You can also follow @TT_HQ for updates on games throughout the weekend.
Don't use Twitter/don't have a smartphone, etc., but want updates? If you've got a cell phone that can send/receive text messages, you can text follow tt_hq to 40404. I did this my first PAX for the lines, and the Official PAX feed... it helped me keep up with everything, and didn't rely on shaky data connections!
PAX East 2012 Checklist: [x] 3 Day Pass [x] Time off Work [x] Flight [x] Hotel
ottoman673 on
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A month or two ago, I opened up a discussion with the manager of the Westin to suggest that he set up a tabletop gaming area on the upper mezzanine. It seems like a reasonable compromise: lots of space, but no table service (we'd have to walk down to the bar to get our own drinks). He indicated that he liked that idea and would be looking into it, but obviously there are no guarantees until we get there and see what's going on. I reached out to him again today to see what the status is on the request.
Please remember that this is a fairly new venue and they're learning the wants and needs of their clientele just like we're learning what we can and can't reasonably do without repercussions.
In the meantime, please check out this post: http://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/148471 for gaming etiquette at any working table (table where you get table service from a real meat human) in the Westin.
t: @nataliepi | fb: fb.com/hernandeznlh
Were they? I had no idea... I went last year on Thursday night, before PAX, and everything seemed to work well. I stayed in the InterContinental last year, so I wasn't at the Westin any of the other nights. They seemed rather tolerant of us being in the front portion of the lobby, though. And when the group i had met decided to go to the restaurant/bar they had on-site, we put the games away, ate, drank, and left accordingly to return to the lobby to resume.
This would be a good idea that you suggested, though. If i recall, that mezzanine area was rather spacious as well. I'm also open to any other ideas, too.. let it be certain groups/games in hotel rooms, or whatnot.
Yeah, I don't think they knew what hit them that first night. We had a great time too, but as it was later explained to me, it was an aggregated frustration that built up throughout the weekend. By Sunday evening it was getting a little ugly.
This is one of my frustrations with the way that the Westin decided to set up its lobby. It's not immediately apparent, but only 3 or 4 of the tables in the front lobby area are non-bar tables. There's very little public seating, which is really aggravating. I'm sure that many of the folks who were playing didn't realize that they were sitting at a bar table and just assumed that there were cocktailers working the entire lobby. +10 to the Seattle Sheraton (PAX Prime) for having a better lobby seating arrangement.
I am in this boat! Dominion, Ascension, Munchkin are a couple of our favorites but would love to play anything but would have to see if we make it back sober enough on Thursday night. We are actually coming in early this year to check out Boston so would definitely be game for Tues or Wed night as well if there is an interest. Not sure if we will be able to bring many games given we are trying to avoid checking too many bags.
Maybe, someone can talk to the management of the other hotels to make sure this is okay first, before we decided to game there?
t: @nataliepi | fb: fb.com/hernandeznlh
My understanding is that if the tables are ordering (read: tipping) as much per hour as would happen if it were being turned over for other diners and drinkers, then the answer is yes. Last year, our group was able to talk the server into letting us sit in the Forbidden Zone on Sunday by assuring him (repeatedly) that we understood the issue, we'd be ordering food & drinks and we'd be tipping well.
@Durinthal
We have Dominion (classic, intrigue), Catan (made it out of cookies at a previous event - will bring just classic this time ^_~), Blokus (anyone??).
Staying in the Westin so would love to play in my PJs!
Oh, and noted: DS's, PSP's, Vitas... whatever your handheld of choice is is definitely welcome too. I'll be down for some Pokemon battles.
Twitter: @griffin_bruce GT: Nephilim Army PSN: NephilimArmy 3DS: 3523-2206-5371
HOLY DICE ROLLING, BATMAN! That's a lot of games. No wonder you have to drive. Do you bring a trailer?
So that said, just mind your surroundings; if you're in a foodservice area, you can occupy it, but you need to make the table worth the money that would go into it on a normal night (consider how much a meal is, plus tip, and multiply that by 90 minute spans to figure out a reasonable amount). You'll get good service this way too; drinks will stay topped up, plates will be cleared, and the staff will be happy to help you out in whatever way they can to make your stay pleasant.
Wheaton's Law still applies, even when dealing with businesses, and while I don't think anyone intends to violate it in these situations, it is something to watch out for.
@LexiconGrrl That's an awesome idea, I hope they go for it.
A list of things, should you be of the gifting persuasion
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It's also important to remember that while tipping properly will keep the waitstaff happy, it does nothing for management who, if you are tying up a table and NOT ordering, are losing out on sales figures. If the place still has open tables, tipping well, since you may be preventing the server from seating others plus the fact that they still have to wait on you, is fine. If there are no open tables to be seen, however, it is probably best for you to wrap things up and find another venue.
Well, that's why I said to establish a reasonable amount of expense over 90 minutes based on meal plus tip; you should be ordering food. If you don't want to gorge your faces then just get some appetizers and snack on them while you play, no big deal.
A list of things, should you be of the gifting persuasion
this. me also. had no problems hanging in the seaport lobby last year and will probably be doing it quite a bit again this year.
"The bass, the rock, the mic, the treble, I like my coffee black just like my metal." - MSI
t: @nataliepi | fb: fb.com/hernandeznlh
PAX East 2018 4-Day Pass [X] BYOC Pass [X] Hotel Reservation [X]
See y'all at PAX East 2018!
Consider it done. and bolded.
Sorry, I meant in the subject (title) of the event. soon we're going to be getting multiple events piling up and having a date in the subject may help people quickly identify which "pre-pax gaming night" they are clicking.
Consider it RE-done. =p my eyes must not be working today..
Any and all games are welcome.
It is exciting as we get closer to the PAX event. Thank you again for your suggestion. I agree that a gaming area is a fantastic idea and will go ahead and stage tables and chairs on our Mezzanine floor overlooking the lobby.
I think this will be a fun area since people at the tables will be visible from the lobby and help create a fun buzz.
Travel safely and we will see you soon.
There was no clarification as to whether we'll be expected to only sit in that area or not, but I'll pose that question a little closer to the event. I've sent him quite enough email recently, methinks.
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That's pretty great, hopefully it will work out well.
t: @nataliepi | fb: fb.com/hernandeznlh