PAX PRIME 2012 Information and FAQ (READ THIS FIRST, THEN ASK ALL QUESTIONS HERE)

CodeMonkey76 · April 2012

zerzhul wrote: »

Anyhow, I would argue that those who don't participate in this forum don't get the "full PAX experience" since they miss out on all the fun pre and post pax community activities.

Keep in mind that *this* community isn't the *only* community at PAX. Many gaming clans and communities meetup at PAX, each having their own community pre/post PAX activities. The general point is, PAX with friends is better than PAX alone.

SmallLady · April 2012

There are many many different PAX experiences for everyone.

Each one of these is awesome.

zerzhul · April 2012

CodeMonkey76 wrote: »

zerzhul wrote: »

Anyhow, I would argue that those who don't participate in this forum don't get the "full PAX experience" since they miss out on all the fun pre and post pax community activities.

Keep in mind that *this* community isn't the *only* community at PAX. Many gaming clans and communities meetup at PAX, each having their own community pre/post PAX activities. The general point is, PAX with friends is better than PAX alone.

indeed.

RGC Meltdon · May 2012

About the age requites, if i am 17 years of age wouldn't i be able to play these games/try demo since on most games on the case it says 17+ doesnt that enable me to play these "rated M games"?

TOGSolid · May 2012

RGC Meltdon wrote: »

About the age requites, if i am 17 years of age wouldn't i be able to play these games/try demo since on most games on the case it says 17+ doesnt that enable me to play these "rated M games"?

If you are 17 or older you'll be fine.

ONI_Assassin · May 2012

Ok, so i have a couple of really tough questions, as a PAX noob/first timer/insert other phrase here, i would like to get a pay as you go sim for my phone. Primarily fo data use (checking out the forums, twitter etc) and an occasional sms, can anyone suggest a good provider/deal and where in seattle i can go to get it?

Im staying just a block away from the convention centre and i land on Wednesday night at 11:20pm, can anyone suggest the best way to get down to the convention centre at that time of night, or is best just to get a cab to the hotel and if so any rough estimates on cost?

Many thanks to any and all reponses

masanbol · May 2012

ONI_Assassin wrote: »

Ok, so i have a couple of really tough questions, as a PAX noob/first timer/insert other phrase here, i would like to get a pay as you go sim for my phone. Primarily fo data use (checking out the forums, twitter etc) and an occasional sms, can anyone suggest a good provider/deal and where in seattle i can go to get it?

Im staying just a block away from the convention centre and i land on Wednesday night at 11:20pm, can anyone suggest the best way to get down to the convention centre at that time of night, or is best just to get a cab to the hotel and if so any rough estimates on cost?

Many thanks to any and all reponses

In my past experience, 3G or cellular reception inside the convention hall is spotty to the point of being unusable. I had some decent success with a 4G wifi hotspot, but even that was pretty bad is some areas. Outside in Seattle proper everything seems to work just fine, however.

If you are landing that late you may want to take a cab. Going to/from SEATAC during the day is really cheap and easy on the light rail, but the trains stop running around 1AM. Here's the schedule: http://www.soundtransit.org/Schedules/Central-Link-light-rail.xml

Cabs to downtown from SEATAC are about $40-50.

TwinDad · May 2012

Depending on the hotel some of them offer a airport shuttle. Call or email the hotel and see if they can arrange a pickup.

tsrblke · May 2012

TwinDad wrote: »

Depending on the hotel some of them offer a airport shuttle. Call or email the hotel and see if they can arrange a pickup.

Also once the "Westward Aviation" thread goes up, I'm sure you could at least coordinate sharing cabs from there (or beg Seattle Forumers for rides?

)

thefall3nking · May 2012

SmallLady wrote: »

Should I Bring my Children to PAX?

I'm under 18. Will I be able to get into a panel for/play the demo of <insert M-Rated game here>?

It is convention wide policy to follow the ESRB ratings, even if your parents are present. Be aware that some exhibitors may ask you for your ID.
It should also be noted that there is no way for a minor's guardian to allow the minor to play/view M-Rated content without the guardian physically present for the content; there is no "permission form" or similar thing available. Also, some exhibitors might still not allow minors to view their M-Rated content with the guardian present.

Last year I was really concerned about this because I was only 17, turns out, most people will let you by if you are 17. Technically the age isn't 18 or older, but 17 or older. It took me a day to figure this out, and missed out on several events I wanted to go to because of it. I figured it out when I saw a sign at the GoW3 booth saying only those 17 and up could play. I asked around, and was quickly told that yes, it's 17 or older.

Another concern about being 18 or older is for anyone who happens to be a fan of Machinima or any other video making entity. They need you to sign a form if you want to be in a video with them, and if you aren't 18, you have to have a parent sign. I got invited to join a video, and spent about half an hour hunting my father down. The people at Machinima were really helpful and willing to wait, but you need to be aware of that.

Even if you aren't 18, PAX is awesome, and you should go. Those M-rated games aren't everything, and you will find plenty to do there. Even if it is a Mario-Kart tournament

Jove · May 2012

Oh there is one thing I really need to know for PAX East 2013.

I heard from some people at PAX East 2012 that the Convention Center is going to add a hotel at the third floor (or if there adding another floor. IDK) for PAX East 2013. So then we can just wake up and go down stairs.

Is this little detail true at all? Or were they just pulling my leg.

adias.angel · May 2012

Jove wrote: »

Oh there is one thing I really need to know for PAX East 2013.

I heard from some people at PAX East 2012 that the Convention Center is going to add a hotel at the third floor (or if there adding another floor. IDK) for PAX East 2013. So then we can just wake up and go down stairs.

Is this little detail true at all? Or were they just pulling my leg.

Its true. They are adding another hotel but I don't know if it will be done by East 2013. Check out the BCEC's website about the renovation plans. There is a whole video.

Edit: I found the link with the video: t5boston.com/

Jove · May 2012

adias.angel wrote: »

Jove wrote: »

Oh there is one thing I really need to know for PAX East 2013.

I heard from some people at PAX East 2012 that the Convention Center is going to add a hotel at the third floor (or if there adding another floor. IDK) for PAX East 2013. So then we can just wake up and go down stairs.

Is this little detail true at all? Or were they just pulling my leg.

Its true. They are adding another hotel but I don't know if it will be done by East 2013. Check out the BCEC's website about the renovation plans. There is a whole video.

Edit: I found the link with the video: t5boston.com/

Oh wow. This is great news. Hopefully it does finish by the time East 2013 comes around. So how will that work then in terms of Hotel registration? Will it just be added in the list of hotels in the pax east site?

zerzhul · May 2012

Jove wrote: »

adias.angel wrote: »

Jove wrote: »

Oh there is one thing I really need to know for PAX East 2013.

I heard from some people at PAX East 2012 that the Convention Center is going to add a hotel at the third floor (or if there adding another floor. IDK) for PAX East 2013. So then we can just wake up and go down stairs.

Is this little detail true at all? Or were they just pulling my leg.

Its true. They are adding another hotel but I don't know if it will be done by East 2013. Check out the BCEC's website about the renovation plans. There is a whole video.

Edit: I found the link with the video: t5boston.com/

Oh wow. This is great news. Hopefully it does finish by the time East 2013 comes around. So how will that work then in terms of Hotel registration? Will it just be added in the list of hotels in the pax east site?

I sincerely doubt any part of the expansion plans will be done before East 2013. They haven't even started on things yet as far as I know. Money has to be allocated by local governments, etc. There's a long road ahead still before the expansion will see any broken ground.

stabbyclaus · May 2012

Hi Penny Arcade forums! My name is Stabby & I produce internet content for a large variety of awesome folks. I work half my years as a VFX artist for [adultswim] while running my own company Nebula Media in between TV gigs.

What we're wondering is, because we have yet to attend PAX, what's the best way to get the word out about upcoming animated series & cartoons at the convention? Outside of attending & throwing swag around (which we plan to!), does PAX offer screening/theater space? If so, where can we register? If not, are their local theaters & PAX artists who'd like to organize a premiere/screening space?

Those seem pretty obvious to us, but if you have any suggestions, I know myself & other content creators would love to hear it. For the curious, here is our channel: http://www.youtube.com/nebulamedia Although we do create a range of content, our series "The Locals" is an animated documentary featuring real gamers. If you have any questions about my work or our series, shoot me a response here or via PM.

Thanks for reading!

shadowscout · May 2012

ONI_Assassin wrote: »

Ok, so i have a couple of really tough questions, as a PAX noob/first timer/insert other phrase here, i would like to get a pay as you go sim for my phone. Primarily fo data use (checking out the forums, twitter etc) and an occasional sms, can anyone suggest a good provider/deal and where in seattle i can go to get it?

For a phone when I go to the US (as I usually end up going to LA most years) I have a http://www.truphone.com sim card (which has both a UK and a US number on it - costs £5 a month to keep the US number permanently - however to be fair I haven't used it for data that much so I can't personally confirm how cheap/expensive it is for that but I suspect it won't be that bad. You can add an Australian number to the same sim as well but I haven't bothered with that so far.

It also means US people can text your US number when you are back in the UK at local rates and UK people can text your UK number, I know someone from Australia who uses the same service for the same reasons.

whypick1 · May 2012

It sounds like you'll want to register as a panel speaker. For one "attending & throwing swag around" is very much forbidden. There is also no screening room, per se, but if you were to register for a panel for this, you'd get your own room and be listed in the program guide, which would go a long way towards getting people to show up.

The panel submission page is here. You might also want to e-mail pax_panels@paxsite.com and pax_questions@paxsite.com about your request.

mike923 · May 2012

*Jedi Wave*
This is not the post you're looking for...

awyldknght · May 2012

mike923 wrote: »

I just got an email to a question I sent awhile back regarding hotels. They answered it and said the hotels are up! Here is the link:
Edited out Link to be safe.

Happy booking!

I received the same email, I sent Smalllady a PM asking about it, since nothing has been posted anywhere else about it. Had this same issue happen a couple weeks ago.

mike923 · May 2012

Really? If I need to take down my posts I will. Didn't mean to do any harm >_<

awyldknght · May 2012

I'd remove the link to be safe. It's not your fault at all. Just waiting for the "Official" announcement.

The Geek · May 2012

masanbol wrote: »

ONI_Assassin wrote: »

Ok, so i have a couple of really tough questions, as a PAX noob/first timer/insert other phrase here, i would like to get a pay as you go sim for my phone. Primarily fo data use (checking out the forums, twitter etc) and an occasional sms, can anyone suggest a good provider/deal and where in seattle i can go to get it?

Im staying just a block away from the convention centre and i land on Wednesday night at 11:20pm, can anyone suggest the best way to get down to the convention centre at that time of night, or is best just to get a cab to the hotel and if so any rough estimates on cost?

Many thanks to any and all reponses

In my past experience, 3G or cellular reception inside the convention hall is spotty to the point of being unusable. I had some decent success with a 4G wifi hotspot, but even that was pretty bad is some areas. Outside in Seattle proper everything seems to work just fine, however.

If you are landing that late you may want to take a cab. Going to/from SEATAC during the day is really cheap and easy on the light rail, but the trains stop running around 1AM. Here's the schedule: http://www.soundtransit.org/Schedules/Central-Link-light-rail.xml

Cabs to downtown from SEATAC are about $40-50.

On the way back, all cabs from the Downtown Seattle Hotel District to SEATAC Airport are a flat rate of $32. Direct trips only. Extra stops will cost you extra.

SmallLady · May 2012

Hey Guys,

Thank you so much for taking down the links. Official word is they need more time before this link is publicly posted.

You guys are all awesome!

adias.angel · May 2012

So I am back with another hotel question. I am pretty sure we are going to try and book the homewood. I was looking at the different rooms online and some have sofa beds, some don't. Which types of rooms were available last year?

awyldknght · May 2012

All of them that you can get through Onpeak have 1 bed & a sleeper sofa

whypick1 · May 2012

I booked a two person room at the Homewood last year, and it had a sofa and a king size (think it was king) bed in a separate bedroom.

awyldknght · May 2012

adias.angel wrote: »

So I am back with another hotel question. I am pretty sure we are going to try and book the homewood. I was looking at the different rooms online and some have sofa beds, some don't. Which types of rooms were available last year?

Here is a screenshot of the options for rooms at Homewood.

Spoiler:

adias.angel · May 2012

awyldknght wrote: »

adias.angel wrote: »

So I am back with another hotel question. I am pretty sure we are going to try and book the homewood. I was looking at the different rooms online and some have sofa beds, some don't. Which types of rooms were available last year?

Here is a screenshot of the options for rooms at Homewood.

Spoiler:

That's great news! I am guessing from what I can see on Homewoods website, those are all suites then. The non-suites do not have sofa sleepers.

stabbyclaus · May 2012

Thanks Whypick1! So it's not like comic con in the sense that every living soul is attempting to promote something?... Neat!

Axon · May 2012

Home wood suites is already gone I think.

adias.angel · May 2012

Axon wrote: »

Home wood suites is already gone I think.

Guess that means I book the Sherton and stalk the site until a homewood one gets cancelled. Wow that made that decision easy.

SkeleVader · May 2012

Axon wrote: »

Home wood suites is already gone I think.

Only Thursday night is gone. Friday night, Saturday night, & Sunday night still available from what I see. They are almost gone though.

tsrblke · May 2012

Axon wrote: »

Home wood suites is already gone I think.

Gone before it even posted? I honestly find that highly unlikely. If that's the case, then perhaps they should do something about the people who used the link prior to it going public.

SkeleVader · May 2012

Here is the current standing of all hotels:

Edit to include all hotels

zerzhul · May 2012

tsrblke wrote: »

Axon wrote: »

Home wood suites is already gone I think.

Gone before it even posted? I honestly find that highly unlikely. If that's the case, then perhaps they should do something about the people who used the link prior to it going public.

VIPs and Exhibitors get hotels in a legit method before Attendees do (this is true for most cons with a 3rd party hotel provider). This is why the ultra-popular hotel for each pax always sells out seemingly so fast. Also, the homewood isn't that big in comparison to something like the Sheraton and likely doesn't have as many rooms available.

tsrblke · May 2012

zerzhul wrote: »

tsrblke wrote: »

Axon wrote: »

Home wood suites is already gone I think.

Gone before it even posted? I honestly find that highly unlikely. If that's the case, then perhaps they should do something about the people who used the link prior to it going public.

VIPs and Exhibitors get hotels in a legit method before Attendees do (this is true for most cons with a 3rd party hotel provider). This is why the ultra-popular hotel for each pax always sells out seemingly so fast. Also, the homewood isn't that big in comparison to something like the Sheraton and likely doesn't have as many rooms available.

Well then I stand corrected.
Also those numbers scare me in general because the wife and I were planning on coming out Wednesday, but it looks like by the time it goes live to us there will be no wednesday night hotels left

(Looks like no 2 Bed Wednesday night hotels at all for the HYatt, I must tell the friend staying with us.)
(All I need now is prices and I'll be set with the budget!)

SkeleVader · May 2012

tsrblke wrote: »

(All I need now is prices and I'll be set with the budget!)

Hyatt is $191 per night (excluding taxes) and the rooms only have 1 bed.

Here are the prices for 2 people in a room:

If you add people to the room the price will increase.

tsrblke · May 2012

SkeleVader wrote: »

tsrblke wrote: »

(All I need now is prices and I'll be set with the budget!)

Hyatt is $191 per night (excluding taxes) and the rooms only have 1 bed.

Thanks, I'm glad to see that the prices for the Grand Hyatt haven't gone up much. That being said, worst case scenerio we'll book the Sheraton

. (We just really liked the Hyatt.)
Sorry, when planning a trip I occassionaly go into panic mode! I just wait for something to go wrong.

SkeleVader · May 2012

They just tweeted registration for badges & hotels is live:

One more time! We've relaunched PAX Prime registration: http://ow.ly/aF4Vd In addition our hotel system is live: http://ow.ly/aF4Zb

SmallLady · May 2012

Thanks again guys for being awesome with all the hickups.

!!!

Penny Arcade

PAX PRIME 2012 Information and FAQ (READ THIS FIRST, THEN ASK ALL QUESTIONS HERE)

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