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PAX PRIME 2011 Information and FAQ (READ THIS FIRST, THEN ASK ALL QUESTIONS HERE)

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Posts

  • zerzhulzerzhul Registered User, Moderator mod
    Fataski wrote:
    After perusing the schedule, I noticed that there is no Penny Arcade Q&A on Sunday. Is this the final release of the schedule, or will there still be updates? It just seems a little odd since there's a 3 hour block of nothing at the main theater on Sunday...

    I believe it is the final release of the schedule. It gets looked over for quite a bit before being released to the public.

  • CaptainTapoleCaptainTapole Awesome in the Possum - Yee-Haw! Northern CaliforniaRegistered User regular
    zerzhul wrote:
    Fataski wrote:
    After perusing the schedule, I noticed that there is no Penny Arcade Q&A on Sunday. Is this the final release of the schedule, or will there still be updates? It just seems a little odd since there's a 3 hour block of nothing at the main theater on Sunday...

    I believe it is the final release of the schedule. It gets looked over for quite a bit before being released to the public.

    It's possible (doubt it since the PA crew are rather anal/thorough) that there may be an update. There are a few panels that states "details to be announced." And I remember seeing it that way last year as well and they were able to get their details in in time before the guidebook printed up. But there will be no guidebook this year apparently? Yeah, I am confuzzled too.

    The Girl Who Gave Everyone the Shortest Jenga Game Ever.
  • ElmoFuntzElmoFuntz Portland, ORRegistered User regular
    edited August 2011
    zerzhul wrote:
    Fataski wrote:
    After perusing the schedule, I noticed that there is no Penny Arcade Q&A on Sunday. Is this the final release of the schedule, or will there still be updates? It just seems a little odd since there's a 3 hour block of nothing at the main theater on Sunday...

    I believe it is the final release of the schedule. It gets looked over for quite a bit before being released to the public.

    It's possible (doubt it since the PA crew are rather anal/thorough) that there may be an update. There are a few panels that states "details to be announced." And I remember seeing it that way last year as well and they were able to get their details in in time before the guidebook printed up. But there will be no guidebook this year apparently? Yeah, I am confuzzled too.

    Don't be confused. Guidebook is the name of an iPhone/Android/etc app that used to be called conventionist. Apparently there is no "official" guidebook app this year (but was there really last year?) Even so the folks who make guidebook already said they were going to be putting something out. In any case this has nothing to do with the nice printed booklet.

    ElmoFuntz on
    Go for the eyes Boo, GO FOR THE EYES!
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  • David CoffmanDavid Coffman Registered User, PAX Staff regular
    edited August 2011
    There will be an "official" mobile app, and you can expect details on that very soon.

    While schedule changes do indeed happen, there won't be a Sunday Q&A this year. The signing will be longer than usual, however, and hopefully the Acquisitions Inc session will help ease the pain. ;)

    The tournament schedule should be posted in the next couple days.

    David Coffman on
  • VideoGameStupidVideoGameStupid Registered User regular
    This will be my first time traveling and doing the whole "hotel room share" thing but for practice i went to Conneticon (which i am in close proximity to anyway) and used the 4-wheeled hard case. It did not give me or the other roommates any problems what-so-ever so maybe you should just use that. A duffel bag may tire you out after a while.

  • Moe FwackyMoe Fwacky Right Here, Right Now Drives a BuickModerator mod
    Merged from Luggage Type?
    remixdeus wrote:
    Hi all,
    It is my first time going to an expo, really excited... But I'm flying in so unfortunately I cannot do as much shopping as I could do...

    Should I use a duffel bag with wheels as my luggage or should I use a 4-wheeled hard case?

    I know it's a dumb question, but frankly I just don't have the experience in these situations. :/

    Many thanks!

    E6LkoFK.png

  • shinjanaytorshinjanaytor Registered User regular
    edited August 2011
    This is my first PAX ever, so I'm very excited! This will be my second convention, the first being MAGfest 9, so although I'm rather new to the convention atmosphere I hope not to be a huge PAX noob. Sorry if I come off as one, seeing as this is my first PAX I kinda have a lot of questions. The FAQ was extremely helpful though and eliminated some of my questions, but here are my remaining ones:

    1. What time should I get to the convention center by on Friday? I wanna be able to get in line, if there is, and get a swag bag as it seems some people couldn't get one in past years.
    2. Should I get to the convention center before 10 every day?
    3. I'm almost 15, and since my parents are very overprotective my dad is coming along to the convention with me. I don't really mind this, since he plays video games also, but I'm meeting up with some friends there so I just wanna chill with them by myself, and have my dad just let me be. Any tips on how I could possibly convince him?
    4. Kind of random, but since this is a Penny Arcade expo, I've been reading the web comic lately. I plan on picking up one of the comic books so I can read it on the plane and stuff, but which book is the best? I like the newer comics more than the older ones, but I can't decide which book I should buy.

    Okay, these are all the questions I have for now. Thanks in advance, sorry this was really long. I really am a PAX noob, aren't I? :D

    EDIT: Oh yeah, I remember another question I had...
    5. I'm not much of a tabletop game player, but what are some popular tabletop games played at PAX? I might look into some of those games, for my Pre-PAX excitement hahah

    shinjanaytor on
  • SilvertwinnSilvertwinn Going on 40. "Get off my lawn!"Registered User regular
    Shinjaynaytor: My first PAX, too, so I know the feeling. 18 days away!! :D I am a... plan-a-holic, so I tend to do a ton of reading and research before I do anything (shop for furniture, go to conventions, etc.) and I think I may be able to help you.

    1. My friends and I are arriving on Thursday, but I'll probably have them at the convention center by 7am or so, possibly earlier. What you have to keep in mind is that there are roughly 70,000 people going to this and always assume the worst-case scenario. I'd rather be super early than be "on time" and get nothing for it.
    2. I will be. :) Especially since one of the panels I'm going to see is right at 10 when the doors open.

    3. I'm 20 and I still had trouble convincing my parents to let me go with my boyfriend and our mutual male friend. My best guess would be to show him that you can be responsible. Do some extra things around the house or whatever to help out, do things you wouldn't normally do. This might help in showing that you can be responsible for yourself without always having someone there. Also, when and if you tell him that you do want to spend some time alone with your friends (break it to him nice, easy, and gently) make sure that you arrange some time and place to meet up and check in. Have your cellphone on (if you're not roaming). I know it won't work with the mess of signals at PAX, but it's the thought that counts. Tell him what friends you'll be with, introduce them, like I mentioned before have a meeting time to check in. If all goes well, you might be able to go off with your friends again afterwards, just by showing that you were responsible by showing up to the meeting place. I have no idea if that helped at all, but that's what I would do. (Heck, sometimes I still have to do that for my parents.)

    4. I didn't even know they had comic books. :P

    You're not the only PAX noob, here. :)

  • shinjanaytorshinjanaytor Registered User regular
    Shinjaynaytor: My first PAX, too, so I know the feeling. 18 days away!! :D I am a... plan-a-holic, so I tend to do a ton of reading and research before I do anything (shop for furniture, go to conventions, etc.) and I think I may be able to help you.

    1. My friends and I are arriving on Thursday, but I'll probably have them at the convention center by 7am or so, possibly earlier. What you have to keep in mind is that there are roughly 70,000 people going to this and always assume the worst-case scenario. I'd rather be super early than be "on time" and get nothing for it.
    2. I will be. :) Especially since one of the panels I'm going to see is right at 10 when the doors open.

    3. I'm 20 and I still had trouble convincing my parents to let me go with my boyfriend and our mutual male friend. My best guess would be to show him that you can be responsible. Do some extra things around the house or whatever to help out, do things you wouldn't normally do. This might help in showing that you can be responsible for yourself without always having someone there. Also, when and if you tell him that you do want to spend some time alone with your friends (break it to him nice, easy, and gently) make sure that you arrange some time and place to meet up and check in. Have your cellphone on (if you're not roaming). I know it won't work with the mess of signals at PAX, but it's the thought that counts. Tell him what friends you'll be with, introduce them, like I mentioned before have a meeting time to check in. If all goes well, you might be able to go off with your friends again afterwards, just by showing that you were responsible by showing up to the meeting place. I have no idea if that helped at all, but that's what I would do. (Heck, sometimes I still have to do that for my parents.)

    4. I didn't even know they had comic books. :P

    You're not the only PAX noob, here. :)

    Haha, I'm glad I'm not the only PAX noob here :D
    Thanks a lot for responding. It was very helpful, actually. You don't come off as a noob at all, to be honest ahahha! but yeah, I'm like you and always read beforehand and just always plan ahead, but I always end up forgetting something hahaha. Thanks again!

  • chupamiubrechupamiubre Registered User regular
    edited August 2011
    shinjanaytor

    1. Swag bags hardly ever are all given out so arrive when you want on Friday but if you show up an hour before hand you should be able to stand in the main line for the show floor.
    2. Don't see any need to arrive before 10 unless you have some specific panel you want to see.
    3. Ditch him should be easy enough a few bathrooms have more than one exit. Cell coverage is usually spotty so if you don't answer answer the phone you have an excuse. (NOTE might be bad advice but it's an option)
    4. The Splendid Magic of Penny Arcade: 11 1/2 Year Anniversary Book
    5. Never been into the table top stuff my self.

    chupamiubre on
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  • quintogquintog Registered User regular
    Due to circumstances beyond his control, a friend of mine who WAS attending on Sunday is now unable to go. I'm still going, however. Since we're in Canada both of our passes will be at the will call location – can I pick up his on Sunday morning for the purpose of selling it if I have his registration code / barcode confirmation, or is the purchasing cardholder required to be there (with the purchasing card)? I just want to be clear on that before I post over in the PAX Passes for Face Value thread. Thanks!

    A non-feline Roast Beef Kazenzakis who uses punctuation and capital letters.
  • shinjanaytorshinjanaytor Registered User regular
    shinjanaytor

    1. Swag bags hardly ever are all given out so arrive when you want on Friday but if you show up an hour before hand you should be able to stand in the main line for the show floor.
    2. Don't see any need to arrive before 10 unless you have some specif panel you want to see.
    3. Ditch him should be easy enough a few bathrooms have more than one exit. Cell coverage is usually spotty so if you don't answer answer the phone you have an excuse. (NOTE might be bad advice but it's an option)
    4. The Splendid Magic of Penny Arcade: 11 1/2 Year Anniversary Book
    5. Never been into the table top stuff my self.

    Ah, I see. Thanks! By the way, I don't want to ditch my dad entirely hahha.

  • whypick1whypick1 PAX [E] Info Booth Manager ~2' from an LCDRegistered User regular
    quintog wrote:
    Due to circumstances beyond his control, a friend of mine who WAS attending on Sunday is now unable to go. I'm still going, however. Since we're in Canada both of our passes will be at the will call location – can I pick up his on Sunday morning for the purpose of selling it if I have his registration code / barcode confirmation, or is the purchasing cardholder required to be there (with the purchasing card)? I just want to be clear on that before I post over in the PAX Passes for Face Value thread. Thanks!

    Photo ID of the person who bought the badge(s) is required for will-call pickup.

    Is it PAX <insert nearest future PAX here> yet?
  • EvilBadmanEvilBadman DO NOT TRUST THIS MAN Registered User regular
    edited August 2011
    What you have to keep in mind is that there are roughly 70,000 people going to this

    The 70,000 number is thrown around alot, but remember they count three-day badges thrice. There's maybe 35k actual bodies.

    EvilBadman on
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  • EruditeAphroditeEruditeAphrodite Registered User regular
    edited August 2011
    remixdeus wrote:
    Hi all,
    It is my first time going to an expo, really excited... But I'm flying in so unfortunately I cannot do as much shopping as I could do...

    Should I use a duffel bag with wheels as my luggage or should I use a 4-wheeled hard case?

    I know it's a dumb question, but frankly I just don't have the experience in these situations. :/

    Many thanks!

    That depends entirely on you. Are you the kind of person who is going to pick up possibly delicate things like mice and statues and not be willing to ship them home? Are you bringing gaming systems that aren't going in your carry on? Then you might want to go with a hard case. If you are like me and aren't a swag person and just travel with clothing and such then a duffel bag should work just fine. I finally got a real, grownup suitcase because my duffel didn't have wheels and hauling around a 40lb bag was getting to be a bit much for my aging back.

    EruditeAphrodite on
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  • Moe FwackyMoe Fwacky Right Here, Right Now Drives a BuickModerator mod
    Merged from PAX Prime 2010 DVD's Can they still be purchased?
    snuffles00 wrote:
    I'm not really sure what category this should fall under so I thought I would post it in the main PAX forum. Last year was my first year at PAX. I had a great time. I noticed that the merch booth was selling DVD's for the 2010 PAX. I did not purchase a DVD set at the time and now I am kicking myself. I have kept checking to see if the 2010 DVD's will pop up in the Penny Arcade store to no avail. Does anyone know if they will be making any more 2010 DVD's or where I could find a copy? Thanks

    E6LkoFK.png

  • SerenitySerenity Registered User regular
    edited August 2011
    Ok a few questions:
    1. What's the policy on 3rd party pickup/name transfers for tickets this year? My cousin can't come anymore and if he sells it he wants me to pick it up from willcall for whoever buys it...
    2. Would this be the right thread to post a question regarding what the cheapest way of having a cell phone down there if you're a Canadian is?
    3. Schedule question: Is there any word of what bands are playing on what nights? Schedule just says Friday/Sat/Sun night concerts.
    oh yeah and 4. Is there somewhere to post for rides available? I didn't see one...

    Serenity on
    qxd8or7ouox3.png
  • chaosisorderchaosisorder Cupcake Princess and Pinny Whore OregonRegistered User regular
    Serenity wrote:
    Ok a few questions:
    1. What's the policy on 3rd party pickup/name transfers for tickets this year? My cousin can't come anymore and if he sells it he wants me to pick it up from willcall for whoever buys it...
    2. Would this be the right thread to post a question regarding what the cheapest way of having a cell phone down there if you're a Canadian is?
    3. Schedule question: Is there any word of what bands are playing on what nights? Schedule just says Friday/Sat/Sun night concerts.
    oh yeah and 4. Is there somewhere to post for rides available? I didn't see one...

    1. There is no third party pick up and we've passed the dates for name/address transfers. Since you're will call and your badges haven't been mailed, your best bet is to email [email protected]
    2. For cell phones, there are a bits bits of wisdom in this thread already as well as here and here.
    3. The matrix/grid schedule does not have the bands listed, but the written schedule here does.
    4. I don't know of an Canadian ride share thread...can't help there.


  • zerzhulzerzhul Registered User, Moderator mod
    snuffles00 wrote:
    I'm not really sure what category this should fall under so I thought I would post it in the main PAX forum. Last year was my first year at PAX. I had a great time. I noticed that the merch booth was selling DVD's for the 2010 PAX. I did not purchase a DVD set at the time and now I am kicking myself. I have kept checking to see if the 2010 DVD's will pop up in the Penny Arcade store to no avail. Does anyone know if they will be making any more 2010 DVD's or where I could find a copy? Thanks

    I thought that the 2009 DVD was the last official DVD produced. You can keep an eye on http://www.paxcommunitydvd.net/ for the unofficial DVD project though. The unofficial 2010 prime dvd is their next planned release.

  • shinjanaytorshinjanaytor Registered User regular
    Looking at the schedule, and I'm a bit confused about something on Saturday. It says Penny Arcade Make a Strip! and Penny Arcade Make a Strip Live Stream...they both go on at the same time. What is the difference?

  • grayden1977grayden1977 Registered User new member
    I'm not going to be able to attend. Is there a way to refund my PAX tickets rather than sell them?

  • whypick1whypick1 PAX [E] Info Booth Manager ~2' from an LCDRegistered User regular
    Looking at the schedule, and I'm a bit confused about something on Saturday. It says Penny Arcade Make a Strip! and Penny Arcade Make a Strip Live Stream...they both go on at the same time. What is the difference?

    The keynote, concerts, PA panels and Omegathon rounds are being live streamed to Wolfman theater in case the Main theater fills up.

    Is it PAX <insert nearest future PAX here> yet?
  • BigRedBigRed Seattle, WARegistered User regular
    I'm not going to be able to attend. Is there a way to refund my PAX tickets rather than sell them?

    Since tickets are being mailed out at this point you might just have to sell it.

    <MoeFwacky> besides, BigRed-Worky is right
  • kube00kube00 SE WA StateRegistered User regular
    I saw a few days ago via Twitter badges were shipped out. How soon should I expect mine?

    1st PAX was Prime 2010. Made it to several more Primes/West. Been to East and South. Headed back to West in 2019 for my 12th PAX.

    Twitter:kube00
  • Mom2KatMom2Kat Registered User regular
    In the badges vein...I noticed all the information I have seen says out of country guests will have to pick up at will call, however I paid for shiping on mine and I am in canada. So am I going to get my badges ahead of time or did I pay extra for something I am going to have to pick up on Saturday anyway? So friggan confused, and excited.

  • CaptainTapoleCaptainTapole Awesome in the Possum - Yee-Haw! Northern CaliforniaRegistered User regular
    I believe it was those who chose the FedEx option. They send the badges out in waves with the mail. So, it's possible someone in the same zip-code as you will be getting theirs on Wednesday and yours possibly Friday.

    All of that was hypothetical, by the by. The waves bit is true to my recollection.

    The Girl Who Gave Everyone the Shortest Jenga Game Ever.
  • Mom2KatMom2Kat Registered User regular
    Yeah we chose the fed Ex option as it was the only one open to international registerants. Oh well I'll take my sheet I printed with us if we don't get them beforehand.

  • DeciusDecius I'm old! I'm fat! I'M BLUE!Registered User regular
    The notifications you are seeing are for the mailing of passes to US residents via the postal service. I don't know if I've ever seen a broadcasted notice that the international shipping has started, but I always pick my passes up at Will-Call. I would hope PA would email people with their FedEx tracking numbers. Hopefully someone who has done that method before can chime in.

    camo_sig2.png
    I never finish anyth
  • zerzhulzerzhul Registered User, Moderator mod
    Decius wrote:
    The notifications you are seeing are for the mailing of passes to US residents via the postal service. I don't know if I've ever seen a broadcasted notice that the international shipping has started, but I always pick my passes up at Will-Call. I would hope PA would email people with their FedEx tracking numbers. Hopefully someone who has done that method before can chime in.

    There was a comment on twitter by Official_Pax that international badges had shipped.

  • DjFILDjFIL Registered User regular
    Are there iphone/android apps for pax?

    Yes!
    The Conventionist is a iphone/android app that gets gets updated shortly before PAX
    PAX Assistant was an android app for last PAX East. It had many great reviews, but as it's made by somebody in the PAX community, I'm not sure if one will be made for PAX Prime 2011

    You may want to update this. Just installed The Conventionist, and it has notified me that it will no longer be updating and has changed their name/app to "GuideBook" (see: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/guidebook/id428713847?mt=8)

    Also another question about getting badges in the mail. We live in Canada. We ordered (2 x fri & sat single day passes) well before August 1st. We paid extra to have our badges mailed via FedEX to our house, nothing has come yet. When should we expect these? Thanks.

  • SmallLadySmallLady Registered User regular
    I also need to take it out because conventionist is no longer the official app!

    thanks :)

    "we're just doing what smalllady told us to do" - @Heels
  • Eyes5Eyes5 Registered User regular
    Where can I find information about tournaments?

  • whypick1whypick1 PAX [E] Info Booth Manager ~2' from an LCDRegistered User regular
    Threads will be made for them when the tournament organizers are ready. The tabletop one is already up (link should be in the previous page).

    Is it PAX <insert nearest future PAX here> yet?
  • SmallLadySmallLady Registered User regular
    edited August 2011
    Eyes5 wrote:
    Where can I find information about tournaments?

    Also, Tabletop tournament thread is up...
    Here!

    SmallLady on
    "we're just doing what smalllady told us to do" - @Heels
  • BaghdadBeanBaghdadBean Wrench Wench Scio-Lacomb, ORRegistered User regular
    Medical badges question here: So my PAX pass arrived, but no medical badges. Do we pick up medical badges at registration? (I was already added to the list at time of registration via email confirmation).

    Thank you!

  • Moe FwackyMoe Fwacky Right Here, Right Now Drives a BuickModerator mod
    Medical badges are picked up at will call.

    E6LkoFK.png

  • BaghdadBeanBaghdadBean Wrench Wench Scio-Lacomb, ORRegistered User regular
    Thank you Moe!

  • MJPMMJPM Registered User regular
    @SmallLady Might want to update the OP so that folks know the Main Theater is The Paramount and NOT Benaroya this year. Finally confirmed on the badges (I have not seen anything else official about it, but if I missed it, my apologies).

    paxeast2010dvdsignowout.jpgForumSig2.jpg
  • overlord20overlord20 Registered User new member
    When will the exhibit hall list/map be available?

  • SmallLadySmallLady Registered User regular
    MJPM wrote:
    @SmallLady Might want to update the OP so that folks know the Main Theater is The Paramount and NOT Benaroya this year. Finally confirmed on the badges (I have not seen anything else official about it, but if I missed it, my apologies).

    I knew about it, but was waiting for some form of official announcement before posting it.

    "we're just doing what smalllady told us to do" - @Heels
This discussion has been closed.