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First Year PAX
arwen_doll16_LOTR
CommanderRegistered User regular
CommanderRegistered User regular
For the newbies!
Introduce yourself here! Ask questions and maybe get an answer. Talk about your plans. What do you hope to see at PAX and what are you looking forward to the most?
For the veterans!
What should the rest of use newbies expect? What should be do? Not do? Which forums would be the most helpful to read? What to bring and not bring that you wouldn't normally think of? Groups to join? Overall advice to the noobs of PAX!
I would personally like to know about some of the traditions that are at PAX that newbies could join in on (without stepping on any toes)
Introduce yourself here! Ask questions and maybe get an answer. Talk about your plans. What do you hope to see at PAX and what are you looking forward to the most?
For the veterans!
What should the rest of use newbies expect? What should be do? Not do? Which forums would be the most helpful to read? What to bring and not bring that you wouldn't normally think of? Groups to join? Overall advice to the noobs of PAX!
I would personally like to know about some of the traditions that are at PAX that newbies could join in on (without stepping on any toes)
I should go.
arwen_doll16_LOTR on
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Also, if you talk to the person next to you in a line and don't wind up in a conversation, then they're doing it wrong, not you.
From everything I have read over the last few months, everyone has been super awesome and very welcoming.
I look forward to hanging out with EVERYBODY!
My book reviews, twitter, FB.
http://www.road2pax.com/some-tips-for-pax-east-163/
It was written for PAX East but is relevant for both.
Brian
http://www.road2pax.com
@road2pax
Don't be shy. 99.9% of attendees are awesome.
Don't hesitate to ask questions or seek out help if you need it. The PAX Enforcers are the best convention volunteer staff in the industry, especially considering our only "payment" is a free tee shirt*. 99.9% of Enforcers are awesome and they will get any problems sorted out.
There are a lot of lines at PAX. You'll hear a lot of negative stuff about how much you have to wait in lines, but let me tell you it's not the worst thing in the world. There's always stuff to do in the lines, whether it's pipecleaner art or PictoChat. At one point at PAX East, there were no less than 20 pokewalkers linking up in the PAX Merch line.
*Not actually payment, just very cool swag.
Once the schedule is printed it would be well worth your time to go through and find maybe 2 things that you want to go to each day. You will not end up sticking to any sort of plan at PAX if you're there with anybody else in your group.
Personally, I don't think it's nearly as fun if you have some regimented schedule of panels that you have to go to. Fly free like a bird.
That's one of the benefits of rolling into PAX solo. I can make a schedule and then stick to it....... or not!!
MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
If they have a Hey Ashley Watch'a Playing panel I'd probably show up to that one too.
I go with a group but occassionally I'll be on my own. I'm also not the most social person around strangers but that doesn't really matter at PAX. There are no strangers. You are home. When you are sitting in line and don't know anyone, your neighbor will almost definitely have many of the same interests as you. If you don't think you could strike up a conversation with someone you don't truely know, you might want to bring some ice breakers like a DS, magic cards, pokemon, etc. If you are friendly, people will reciprocate. There are bad apples but for the most part, PAX people are good people. If all else fails, look for someone wearing a road2pax shirt and we'll hang out.
Brian
http://www.road2pax.com
@road2pax
What should you expect: The best thing you could possibly imagination but about 10x better. The friendliest group of people you could possibly imaginion but 10x friendlier. It is (most likely) the best 3 days you'll have all year.
What should you do: The first thing you'll find out is most of everything is fun or at least looks like it'll be fun. But you'll never be able to do everything you want to do. The most important part of PAX to me have been the community events, the parties at the hotels, the impromptu gaming and the hanging out. The expo and the panels are awesome but the most important thing is to go meet people and game. Oh and Wil Wheaton. You should do Wil Wheaton.
Which forums would be the most helpful to read: This one... Everything in this forum, the stickies, get to know the community, join IRC talk to people.
What to bring: Deodorant and a good attitude.
PAX is the greatest thing man has invented since the wheel.
Oh and ironfist re: about going alone ... YES it is perfectly fine to go to PAX alone because at PAX you are never alone.
Anyone know of any fun traditions that the newbies should look into?
I have heard about the cookie brigade and about the buttons that people exchange with their usernames on them
cookie brigade: http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=117299&highlight=cookie+brigade
buttoneers: http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=117417&highlight=cookie+brigade
What else is there that people should think about getting into?
I also want to know what other things people should bring that is not normally thought of by first timers?
So far I have heard things like gameboy, magic cards, deoderant (though I hope most people thought of this one lol.)
You would hope that, yes. At the con, you will wish it. And after the con you will beg it of the newbies of next year.
There are so many things to do:
Concerts (Friday and Saturday)
Swag
Speaks
Penny Arcade Panel
Obviously new games
Rockband stuff (other games of similarity)
Board gaming
Game competitions with different gaming consoles
D&D
Bring your own computer (BYOC): this cost more money though and needs to be signed up for
Pillow levels for rest and gameboys
Tips for the area:
If you are not familiar with Seattle, look into restaurants and places to see. You wouldn't have a lot time, but you’re in a new city. If you research your restaurants you will find better times to eat and lower cost and try new places (google is great: rates, cost, location).
Lines are long in some cases. You should expect to get there early if you want to get in. Get that guide book at the beginning and map out want you want.
If you have a camera and enjoy photos, plan to have to download your photos every night. People dress up (including my group) and there are awesome displays and people to meet.
Of course toys too: gameboy, psp, laptop (we only bring one or two, limited space), magic cards, munchkins, etc
Be prepared for lots of swag going home with you.
Have a wonderful time, and of course if you see our School Girl Goodness group the first day, come and take photos with us. If you do want to see some of the last past 3 PAX I have flickr accounts (http://www.flickr.com/photos/schoolgirlgoodness/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/50801739@N04/) and we are already gearing up for this year.
http://s774.photobucket.com/user/SchoolGirlGoodness/library/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/VeronatheMad
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
This is my second PAX, but when I was there in 08 I found not only everyone at PAX itself to be very open and more or less awesome overall, but also most of Seattle in general--and that's saying something since I'm from a city supposedly known for its "Southern hospitality".
One thing I noticed while working a satellite theater was that the lines for the majority of panels start half way through the previous one. This fact, combined with that of there being an occupancy cap for the rooms themselves, made it very difficult for some people to go to one panel and then try to get into another one immediately after.
To avoid possible disappointment, I would recommend prioritizing which panels you want to see most and allow for a "buffer time" between them. For example, if your three favorite panels are going on in three consecutive time slots, don't get your heart set on seeing the second one. Queue up for the first, see it, then go to free play for half an hour. Then come back to the theater where Panel #3 will be at and start the line. This way, you'll be in for 2 out of the three.
Some panels were less popular (though definitely not less interesting) than others and didn't have this problem. I found that, generally, the more well-known the speakers, the more popular (and therefore more packed) the panel. I remember the Naughty Dog panel line starting even before the panel before it began and reaching capacity within 15 minutes. On the flip side, the D&D dungeon masters panel never got past a couple dozen attendees.
You get the idea. Plan accordingly and you'll be golden.
I would like to say if you're a newbie, don't be afraid! Be relaxed, casual, and come with an open heart and good attitude. Chances are you will be so overwhelmed you'll never get to see everything. I would plan one day to simply wander the convention center to get your bearings, see where everything is, scope out food/bathrooms (I'd bring an empty water bottle so you can fill up at fountains to keep hydrated, this is more important than you would think and easy to forget! I don't believe the convention center policy lets you bring in outside water but whats wrong with an empty bottle?)
Figure out where you will park/how to get to the convention center early, the downtown area will be very busy. There are nearby restaurants and Westlake Mall that has a food court that will offer quick nourishment without as many lines as convention center food if you're in a hurry. its only 2-3 blocks away.
While at the con in regards on what to bring, i'd have with you portable hand sanitizer, tissues, earplugs for you or young ones for any concerts or loud events. A large bag to carry swag and your electronics around. Make sure you have a way to identify your things in case they get lost! Put your name on your stuff with contact info JUST IN CASE.
Make sure you have a notepad and pen/phone or other media device to take down peoples contact info. You'll likely meet people you'd like to keep in touch with to keep gaming with after the convention.
If you decide to cosplay (you're very welcome to even if you are a newbie there is a place for every kind of geek when you come home to PAX!) make sure you have a *comfortable* costume and that there are no bits that would be the end of the world to have fall off or get lost. It can be rough wearing it. Keep track of your props and if your costume is cumbersome please arrange for a spotter (friend, spouse, kind stranger looking for company) to make sure your guns/wings/etc don't put someone's eye out.
Money - you may need this for various contests to buy into as well as the PAX memorabilia booth.
Emergency items- pain killers, pepto in case you eat bad con food, etc - always a good idea to have a travel size of these because with the energy you will burn and the amount of things you will see chances are you will get at least a headache and you don't want to miss out or be in pain!
Something seems not right here...
AKA: what Moe said.
http://twitter.com/h_e_e_l_s
www.reedpop.com
I've been a huge PA fan ever since about a year after it started up online. I was a huge console gamer in middle school to about halfway through HS (got sucked into a korean MMO that took me out of the console VG loop). I'd sometimes fall behind by a year or two and spend weeks catching up on the comics. I'd heard and read about PAX before, but never even imagined I'd get to experience it myself--that is, until I met some awesome people who are PAX vets! My boyfriend (who I began seeing right after PAX Prime 2009) got me super hyped up and invited me along with their annual PAX group. We're going to take a plane from Los Angeles to Seattle. Apparently he didn't know about PAX Train, which I read about a couple weeks ago on these forums. He is on board for the train next year (if they end up doing it again), since we've already secured plane tix.
Mike and Jerry are freaking rad, I've met them twice--last year at SD Comic Con 09, and at a book signing they did for their 11.5th Anniversary book (which I bought for my BF for V-Day) in a small Los Angeles comic book store. Didn't get to chat too much with them either time, but my sister did let out a Freudian slip when we got our pictures with them at SDCC (she said "You guys can be on top" when we were trying to figure out how to arrange ourselves for a picture--the photo caught their facial reactions perfectly). I can't wait to go to their panels, they really know how to engage a crowd (from what I saw at their book tour and videos of other PAX events/panels).
Since I was an MMORPG gamer for about 7 years straight with hardly any console play, I feel like I'm just starting to get back into handheld and console gaming. I got a PS3 for Christmas and dusted off my DS that I used to hardly play, which I now play at least 3 times a week. I'd call myself a casual gamer, I love Pokemon (more into the old-school TV series and TCG), but I've never really gotten into the video games for it; and I'm a huge fan of the Zelda series. I'm afraid I'll be somewhat out of place with regards to most of the big video game-bonding topics (like the Pokemon DS games and Guitar Hero, which I suck at), but I'm hoping I'll end up having fun and trying out new things, and perhaps making new friends.
Also, I can't wait for the concerts; my BF plays the songs from Anamanaguchi all the time, which I thoroughly enjoy, and I love concert atmospheres in general--even better if it's mixed with the awesomeness of video games and the energy that PAX is sure to infect the crowd with.
Don't worry about it. One of the things I love about PAX (among many) is how diversified everyone is in regards to what they play. PAX isn't about just console gaming; it includes a huge net that includes everyone who simply loves gaming. Welcome aboard!
I'd also recommend these:
- Don't forget the charger for your handheld! You may end up using your handheld more than you think and you don't want to have to run back to your hotel to get it.
- There will be an information kiosk (on the second floor at Prime, IIRC). If you find something, bring it there. If you lost something, go there.
- Obviously, don't forget your badge. But if you lose it, don't fret. PAX is run by cool people and cool people like Robert Khoo can help you out.
- Pace yourself. There will be things you want to see but will miss. Don't tire yourself out by trying to run everywhere and do everything. I made that mistake once and paid for it by sleeping through most of MC Frontalot's concert.
- Finally, be prepared to feel sad when PAX ends. It's a normal feeling. But rejoice in the friends you've made and the knowledge that you're only 6 months away from another PAX.
Xbox Live - Bob Jackass || Playstation - Cosby__Sweater || Steam - Bob Jackass
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Now... "by myself" is really an exaggeration. Yes, I do go to PAX on my own, but I end up staying and hanging out with some of the most awesome Canadian folks I know that are from the 604/778 area (as well as the Sealab folks). I haven't been a huge PA fan/reader the last couple or so years (IRL issues, bleh) but you don't even need to be a PA fan to enjoy PAX. As long as you like video games (or anything sort of like it) then PAX is for you.
If you're worried about socializing, that's normal. That's why we have a PAX forum. Most of the folks that I hang out with during PAX are regular forumers (sadly, I'm not a regular here). So if it helps, start acquainting yourself with the folks around here. Participate in several forum activities here. I know that the button exchange is a great way to meet people. And next thing you know, you'll be hanging out with them during PAX.
PAX is like this very huge convention where it feels like you know everybody. As a not-so-social guy myself, that's saying a lot. It's always nice to run into people here and there and exchange stories, even if it's just for a minute or so.
And there's my two cents on this. I'm sure I have more advice, but this is all I can think of right now.
The only other thing I could say is: Make sure to not focus all your time on one section. Get out and see all that PAX has to offer. Even if you aren't a panel person or a console junkie, wander through and see what they are playing or go listen to the Keynote. This will let you have the FULL Experience.
I ended up spending most of my first PAX in Board gaming, barely branching out, and I'm going to make up for it this year, even with still holding up my responsibilities as an MIB with the SJ Games crew.
The entire thing is worth the experiences you will have. So have fun, relax, socialize and be ready to PARTY
The keynote comment is misleading: it's hard to just drop by on it. I think I spent 3+ hours waiting to get into the wheton keynote at pax e, other popular panels will be similar.
I do support the general intent there though, make an effort to see some of everything.
Hi!
My friends and I have been thinking about going to PAX -- we're pretty much accepted the fact that we are attending. But it being about 2 1/2 months away, it is still too early for us to make plans since we all work and attend school. What I'm nervous about is that we wait too long and tickets will be sold out. When is the last possible "safe-ticket-purchasing" time? I'm thinking we'll be safe if we buy our tickets by early August. But, I'm just so nervous waiting that long for them to make up their mind!
Thanks