Some good points made by a variety of people, I thank you all for them. One thing that I am wondering if someone could clarify. I'm used to cons where if (for example) I want to play Dogs in the Vineyard in the 10am-1pm slot then I got to a registration desk and put my name down for that. If it's full, then I have to choose something else for that time slot. It sounds like PAX is not like that, is it really just people setting up games, waiting for people to sit down and begin playing?
jonxp
In 2010 came within a mouse click of going to PAX, I opted out at the last moment because I was concerned that the focus was too mainstream. That and I have a really hard time believing all the hype around PAX. So this year, I decided that I would go, and figure out what PAX is for myself. My expectations are low, I keep reminding myself that it is not GenCon, and that there will be more people going to this convention than live in the city I grew up in.
But you are correct, it is hard to have fun doing something when you go in with assumptions, which is why I'm trying to clear them up. I'm pleased that there might be some 6+ hour boardgames, and that there may be a few indy games. I agree that cons are brilliant places to try new games, but when you say "Give everything, not just the tabletop/rpg section a try" what else is there? I'm not in the slightest bit interested in video games. I do intend to go to some panels, not because they interest me, but to force me to do something different. I am going to try to keep an open mind, but I'm skeptical, I just don't see how it can live up the hype I've read. Perhaps when I can find the schedule for boardgames/RPGs/Miniatures I can breathe a little easier, but my understanding is that those don't get posted until the actual event.
Regardless, @jonxp, thanks for your comment, it gave me much thought.
A few things:
If you want a game of something that isn't D&D... are you willing to run one? I have a ready made group who I could probably convince to play Shadowrun, L5R, Seventh Sea, Savage Worlds, or practically any non-D&D RPG. Offering to run one-shots if you're a good GM and a decent teacher can be a great way to blah blah expand horizons. I keep meaning to gin up a good L5R module for one of these, but I don't have the time.
There are a lot of indie game design people demo-ing their games in the tabletop vendor area. Two years ago at PAX East I played System shock, which is a negotiated outcome storytelling RPG. The module I played was about assimilating alien cultures into an interplanetary community similar to Ursula K. LeGuin's Ekumen. It was awesome. My even-more-indie friend makes it a point to go down there and talk with all the indie vendors, who are often very friendly.
Also, at PAX East I sat in a panel and listened to Steve Jackson explain the tabletop industry and be super amazing and Steve Jackson-y. Maybe you don't care about him, but damn. There are several panels about tabletop gaming and indie game design here (though sadly not him again). As for other panels, I recommend both Wil Wheaton (nerd extraordinare!) and Loading Ready Run (internet sketch comedy wizards!)
You do have to be kind of pro-active, though. PAX sometimes has a pretty good tabletop LFG system, but sometimes it's a bit disorganized (At PAX east this year it was basically nonexistant, which was annoying). Also, if there's an indie game or big massive boardgame you really want to play... consider bringing it. I've convinced far too many people to play Illuminatti at these things. I'm not in college anymore so I can't won't and don't play Supremacy (look, we once had people at that table for TWENTY HOURS until one of them decided to cause Nuclear Winter to put everyone out of their misery), but if you can teach a game, you can probably find someone to play it with you.
Cultural Geek Girl:
Thanks for your comments, a few points..
I was assuming that anyone GMing an RPG must have submitted their outline for the con by now, no?
I fully intend to get to every panel of boardgames/RPG that there is. What kills me is the fact that the one that I want to go to the most (D&D through the ages) I can go to because I'd miss my clipper ferry
Trying to travel light because I'm on foot, (would like to bring my warmachine figs too, but just too bulky to carry around) but as I understand it there is a large library of boardgames that one can choose from? But would that amount to choosing a game like Shogun (aka, Samurai Swords, aka Ikusa) setting it up and then waiting for people to play?
jonxp
In 2010 came within a mouse click of going to PAX, I opted out at the last moment because I was concerned that the focus was too mainstream. That and I have a really hard time believing all the hype around PAX. So this year, I decided that I would go, and figure out what PAX is for myself. My expectations are low, I keep reminding myself that it is not GenCon, and that there will be more people going to this convention than live in the city I grew up in.
But you are correct, it is hard to have fun doing something when you go in with assumptions, which is why I'm trying to clear them up. I'm pleased that there might be some 6+ hour boardgames, and that there may be a few indy games. I agree that cons are brilliant places to try new games, but when you say "Give everything, not just the tabletop/rpg section a try" what else is there? I'm not in the slightest bit interested in video games. I do intend to go to some panels, not because they interest me, but to force me to do something different. I am going to try to keep an open mind, but I'm skeptical, I just don't see how it can live up the hype I've read. Perhaps when I can find the schedule for boardgames/RPGs/Miniatures I can breathe a little easier, but my understanding is that those don't get posted until the actual event.
Regardless, @jonxp, thanks for your comment, it gave me much thought.
A few things:
If you want a game of something that isn't D&D... are you willing to run one? I have a ready made group who I could probably convince to play Shadowrun, L5R, Seventh Sea, Savage Worlds, or practically any non-D&D RPG. Offering to run one-shots if you're a good GM and a decent teacher can be a great way to blah blah expand horizons. I keep meaning to gin up a good L5R module for one of these, but I don't have the time.
There are a lot of indie game design people demo-ing their games in the tabletop vendor area. Two years ago at PAX East I played System shock, which is a negotiated outcome storytelling RPG. The module I played was about assimilating alien cultures into an interplanetary community similar to Ursula K. LeGuin's Ekumen. It was awesome. My even-more-indie friend makes it a point to go down there and talk with all the indie vendors, who are often very friendly.
Also, at PAX East I sat in a panel and listened to Steve Jackson explain the tabletop industry and be super amazing and Steve Jackson-y. Maybe you don't care about him, but damn. There are several panels about tabletop gaming and indie game design here (though sadly not him again). As for other panels, I recommend both Wil Wheaton (nerd extraordinare!) and Loading Ready Run (internet sketch comedy wizards!)
You do have to be kind of pro-active, though. PAX sometimes has a pretty good tabletop LFG system, but sometimes it's a bit disorganized (At PAX east this year it was basically nonexistant, which was annoying). Also, if there's an indie game or big massive boardgame you really want to play... consider bringing it. I've convinced far too many people to play Illuminatti at these things. I'm not in college anymore so I can't won't and don't play Supremacy (look, we once had people at that table for TWENTY HOURS until one of them decided to cause Nuclear Winter to put everyone out of their misery), but if you can teach a game, you can probably find someone to play it with you.
Cultural Geek Girl:
Thanks for your comments, a few points..
I was assuming that anyone GMing an RPG must have submitted their outline for the con by now, no?
I fully intend to get to every panel of boardgames/RPG that there is. What kills me is the fact that the one that I want to go to the most (D&D through the ages) I can go to because I'd miss my clipper ferry
Trying to travel light because I'm on foot, (would like to bring my warmachine figs too, but just too bulky to carry around) but as I understand it there is a large library of boardgames that one can choose from? But would that amount to choosing a game like Shogun (aka, Samurai Swords, aka Ikusa) setting it up and then waiting for people to play?
If you want to run a game, you just show up and run it. There's no official approval process. PAX provides space, and awesome people
If you see people in the tabletop area, don't be afraid to just walk up and say "hey, I'd like to play this game, you interested?"
... I'm not in the slightest bit interested in video games...
The primary focus of PAX is, no matter how you slice it, the electronic gaming culture.
I dunno, East this year had a monstrous tabletop showing. I think the major difference is that tabletop companies do not have the giant budgets to throw around for humongous booths in the expo hall, or tons and tons of advertising. I think trying to nail PAX into a particular "primary focus" is a little rough, because PAX is catered towards the people, and each person has an individual set of interests that makes PAX important and valuable to them.
Z makes a good point. Another thing to consider, is that this year, Tabletop has more floor space than both Console Free Play & PC Freeplay. So in that respect, tabletop is getting far more attention.
But wouldn't that just be because more space is needed for 4-6 people to crowd around a table (or usually two tables) ? Also, the cons that I've gone to, the electronic games are generally squashed together with very little "openness" for people to wander about, where as the boardgames generally have lots of space for people to wander about and look at the games. Nevertheless, it is heartwarming to know the love for boardgames. Check me on this though, aside from the onslaught of eurogame tourneys, there is no "schedule" per se of what games happen where?
The only schedule of tabletop games will be the tourneys and the games run by vendors, as far as I know. Otherwise it's just people running games when they feel like it. Maybe in the tabletop threads you could suggest a twitter hashtag for tabletop LFG or something, but hanging around the tabletop areas I've never had an issue just walking up and finding a game to play.
... I'm not in the slightest bit interested in video games...
The primary focus of PAX is, no matter how you slice it, the electronic gaming culture.
I dunno, East this year had a monstrous tabletop showing. I think the major difference is that tabletop companies do not have the giant budgets to throw around for humongous booths in the expo hall, or tons and tons of advertising. I think trying to nail PAX into a particular "primary focus" is a little rough, because PAX is catered towards the people, and each person has an individual set of interests that makes PAX important and valuable to them.
Well, that's because the tabletop companies have, at least in years past, focused their efforts at Origins, GenCon and the GAMA trade show. I know, it's not that PAX is only about video games and that many (if not most) gamers there enjoy a wide variety of games, but I'm just trying to put in perspective to help stick115 out.
But yes, this will be my first PAX and I'm excited to go, so I've not had any hands on experience with everything that's available there. Just trying to offer my perspective on how scheduling for those cons are compared to how things are for PAX. Origins and GenCon, for example, have huge catalogs of tabletop events with prepaid signups that go live months in advance.
Mattaui
Certainly appreciate your perspective, especially as someone who has gone to big cons. My interest in MMO's is less than zero, I played WoW for 60 levels, on an Roleplaying server and didn't get nearly the same experience as I do when playing a character in Pendragon. Would take too long to explain and I don't want to derail the thread (because there is some VERY useful info here).
The only schedule of tabletop games will be the tourneys and the games run by vendors, as far as I know. Otherwise it's just people running games when they feel like it. Maybe in the tabletop threads you could suggest a twitter hashtag for tabletop LFG or something, but hanging around the tabletop areas I've never had an issue just walking up and finding a game to play.
Zershul
Thanks for this, it's unfortunate it is like this, but I'm glad I know now, as opposed to when I get there. I'm a little confused though. In this thread and others, people seem to suggest that both cell and wireless will be slower than a slug in death valley, in which case, is does twitter really work?
Seriously people, thanks very much for this thread, I've learned quite a bit:
- comfy shoes!
- make lunch = save money
- don't count on internet
- Bring anti bacterial cream
- Line ups are big (sadly no DS or Magic cards, might bring an old school thing, called a book )
- Swag can be EPIC (but is any of it really "good"?)
Things I'm going to do that people might not have thought of
- I'm from Canada, so going to get insurance for the time I'm down there. May seem stupid, I know, not like gamers are a really rough and tumble crowd, but provides me piece of mind.
- echinacea pills, I don't plan on being sick, but an immune booster can't be a bad thing.
- Asperin- Because if the expo hall is louder than a casino, I'm gonna need it!
- Open mind to panels, seriously considering rolling percentile dice and going to the respective panel.
A general piece of advice for all first timers: If you're willing to be proactive, you'll get even more out of pax. My first pax was pretty passive on my part. I had a great time but I generally was just hitting things up that were on the schedule, and looking through the expo hall. What I realized halfway through is that if you want something to happen you can make it happen, whether it's a game group, or a party, or some organized ninja cosplay rockband (NDS FTW). PAX has so many people that are in to so many things, it's highly likely that there are people that want to do what you want to do (even if they don't know it yet). Sure there's the occasional dick, but pax is a huge group of friends you didn't know you had, and all the space and ability to come together and play games with them.
Going on the Thursday 11:30, coming back on last Sunday Sailing (leaves at 3:30). I just couldn't afford another night in the hotel. I do have monday off, but I think I'll need that as "cool down travel/post con decompress" day before getting back into the rat race.
I have a question, thought I might ask it in here vs. the game tournaments thread.. Though I'm not a first timer (okay, 2nd timer!), I've never played in any of the board game tournaments.. I've become pretty addicted to Ticket to Ride, and was curious about how the tournaments work. When do you sign up for them? At PAX or beforehand?
Not sure I'm going to actually do it since I'm pretty sure my husband doesn't want to sit around at PAX and watch me play/have all the fun, but I thought I'd ask just in case. Thanks guys!
I have a question, thought I might ask it in here vs. the game tournaments thread.. Though I'm not a first timer (okay, 2nd timer!), I've never played in any of the board game tournaments.. I've become pretty addicted to Ticket to Ride, and was curious about how the tournaments work. When do you sign up for them? At PAX or beforehand?
Not sure I'm going to actually do it since I'm pretty sure my husband doesn't want to sit around at PAX and watch me play/have all the fun, but I thought I'd ask just in case. Thanks guys!
This probably *does* belong in the tabletop tourney thread (I think it's on page 2 right now). You sign up at pax as far as I know (not sure if they are pure signups or lines this year). Also, don't worry about leaving people to do something! I'm sure he can find something fun to do with all the new friends you'll meet at pax.
I have a question, thought I might ask it in here vs. the game tournaments thread.. Though I'm not a first timer (okay, 2nd timer!), I've never played in any of the board game tournaments.. I've become pretty addicted to Ticket to Ride, and was curious about how the tournaments work. When do you sign up for them? At PAX or beforehand?
Not sure I'm going to actually do it since I'm pretty sure my husband doesn't want to sit around at PAX and watch me play/have all the fun, but I thought I'd ask just in case. Thanks guys!
This probably *does* belong in the tabletop tourney thread (I think it's on page 2 right now). You sign up at pax as far as I know (not sure if they are pure signups or lines this year). Also, don't worry about leaving people to do something! I'm sure he can find something fun to do with all the new friends you'll meet at pax.
Okie dokes, thanks so much! Wasn't sure I'd be bothering people over there with the noobie question. And yeah, people are generally pretty nice and friendly at PAX, (only a few seem to violate Wil Wheaton's law).. I had someone compliment me on my Keyboard Cat t-shirt last year out of the blue which was awesome/nice, since most of the time people think I just love cats in t-shirts staring at the moon...
Seriously people, thanks very much for this thread, I've learned quite a bit:
- comfy shoes!
- make lunch = save money
- don't count on internet
- Bring anti bacterial cream
- Line ups are big (sadly no DS or Magic cards, might bring an old school thing, called a book )
- Swag can be EPIC (but is any of it really "good"?)
Things I'm going to do that people might not have thought of
- I'm from Canada, so going to get insurance for the time I'm down there. May seem stupid, I know, not like gamers are a really rough and tumble crowd, but provides me piece of mind.
- echinacea pills, I don't plan on being sick, but an immune booster can't be a bad thing.
- Asperin- Because if the expo hall is louder than a casino, I'm gonna need it!
- Open mind to panels, seriously considering rolling percentile dice and going to the respective panel.
If you were motivated to play Magic, you may want to try going to your local card/comic/game store (not Hobbytown USA). My local shop sells complete Magic decks for $7. They are custom built for you to be able to sit down and play a competitive game. While there won't be any ZOMG RARE cards, you at least don't have to invest a ton of money just to be able to play a few relaxed games in line.
One thing to be careful about, though, when playing magic in line is to make sure that if you're going to sit down to play you have the time. If the line is moving, magic may not be the best choice. Last year while queueing for the keynote I was near a person who had the 20 questions electronic game (I forget what it's called) and that turned out to be one of the best ice breakers I've seen. If you're interested in making new friends, that's a solid choice to bring along.
A general piece of advice for all first timers: If you're willing to be proactive, you'll get even more out of pax. My first pax was pretty passive on my part. I had a great time but I generally was just hitting things up that were on the schedule, and looking through the expo hall. What I realized halfway through is that if you want something to happen you can make it happen, whether it's a game group, or a party, or some organized ninja cosplay rockband (NDS FTW). PAX has so many people that are in to so many things, it's highly likely that there are people that want to do what you want to do (even if they don't know it yet). Sure there's the occasional dick, but pax is a huge group of friends you didn't know you had, and all the space and ability to come together and play games with them.
My first PAX (last year) was pretty passive, too. I haven't gotten as active in the forums as I would like to have before this year's event, but I'm definitely going to be a lot more proactive/social at PAX this year.
What did I learn last year?
-Comfortable shoes (as so many have mentioned) are a must. I was good last year, but the friends who came with me either wore old, beat up shoes or tried to wear brand new tennis shoes. They hurt, we sat, and I waited.
-Food! Friday, last year, I actually forgot to eat all day. At the end of the day we walked over to the Hard Rock Cafe and it took me a second to realize why that first drink hit me so hard. This year, I've already got snacks planned. And water. There is a lot of good food in Seattle. Consider looking outside the familiar chains for lunches/dinners/late night drinking.
-Bag. So where am I putting the food? I have a messenger bag that I'm carrying this year. Last year I didn't have a clue. Brought my purse and had the worst shoulder pain. I actually bought my messenger bag on day one from Rooster Teeth. This year, phone, nook, and 3DS will all be neatly tucked inside along with a card game or two and the snacks. Plenty of room left over for shopping.
-Cash. There are ATMs at the Convention Center. That said, I have seen them run out of cash, so I always just get it before I go. Someone said to keep food $ and spending $ separate. Another good thing to note is to separate your transportation $. We had a bit of an adventure last year when I accidentally spent our bus fare.
-Patience. It is not, not, not possible to see everything. I picked one panel each day that was a priority for me to get to and that worked out pretty well. But never focus on the things you missed, because then you won't enjoy all the wonderful delights there are to see.
This is one for the "taking good care of yourself" category that I've not seen yet: for aches and pains after a long day/night of PAX, ice is your friend.
I have "bad" feet. Find me in a couple weeks and we can talk specific diagnoses, but it's bad enough that in past PAX's I'd be in serious pain Friday night, hobbling around Saturday, and barely able to walk Sunday. But last year (after learning a few things in physical therapy that summer) I brought some cold packs to Seattle with me and it made a world of difference. Back and forth to Benaroya Hall? No problem!
I'll have access to a freezer for PAX (Homewood Suites FTW!) so I can use my cold packs, but for East, I had two big ziplocks that I filled from the ice machine. I was told that I could ice down as much and as often as I could stand. 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off. A little of this each night is enough to keep me going all weekend long.
I'm a little confused though. In this thread and others, people seem to suggest that both cell and wireless will be slower than a slug in death valley, in which case, is does twitter really work?
I see this a lot. Personally, I had zero issues with cell signal in the last 5 years. Even 3G. I am on Verizon and I think that may have a factor in it, or I have been really lucky.
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Moe FwackyRight Here, Right NowDrives a BuickModeratormod
In previous years, I think AT&T specifically has gotten overly slammed because of the sheer number of iPhone users on that service. Since the demographics of iPhone and smartphone have changed over the years, the spread of how hammered which networks are may have also changed.
If you want a game of something that isn't D&D... are you willing to run one? I have a ready made group who I could probably convince to play Shadowrun, L5R, Seventh Sea, Savage Worlds, or practically any non-D&D RPG. Offering to run one-shots if you're a good GM and a decent teacher can be a great way to blah blah expand horizons. I keep meaning to gin up a good L5R module for one of these, but I don't have the time.
There are a lot of indie game design people demo-ing their games in the tabletop vendor area. Two years ago at PAX East I played System shock, which is a negotiated outcome storytelling RPG.
You do have to be kind of pro-active, though. PAX sometimes has a pretty good tabletop LFG system, but sometimes it's a bit disorganized (At PAX east this year it was basically nonexistant, which was annoying). Also, if there's an indie game or big massive boardgame you really want to play... consider bringing it. I've convinced far too many people to play Illuminatti at these things.
Cultural Geek Girl:
Thanks for your comments, a few points..
I was assuming that anyone GMing an RPG must have submitted their outline for the con by now, no?
I fully intend to get to every panel of boardgames/RPG that there is. What kills me is the fact that the one that I want to go to the most (D&D through the ages) I can go to because I'd miss my clipper ferry
Trying to travel light because I'm on foot, (would like to bring my warmachine figs too, but just too bulky to carry around) but as I understand it there is a large library of boardgames that one can choose from? But would that amount to choosing a game like Shogun (aka, Samurai Swords, aka Ikusa) setting it up and then waiting for people to play?
If there's a specific tabletop game you really want to play, or if you want to GM a P&P game, there are threads here where you can find other people interested, and maybe schedule a time to meet up or exchange contact information. Do I wish it was more organized? Yes. Most of the time when I've done tabletop at PAX, I've wandered down to the area and just joined in with whatever group happened to be looking for people to play. Sometimes it's something pretty pedestrian, like Carcassonne. I'd also suggest making a LFG sign or flag, so people can tell you want to be recruited (I ended up playing several games 2 player with my friend at PAX-East because I couldn't find unoccupied people to recruit. It was slightly frustrating, I'm not going to lie.)
If you'd be interested in GMing something interesting, I wasn't kidding when I said I had a group that might be interested. Two girls, two guys, have been playing various and sundry obscure P&P tabletop rpgs for years. If you'd like to run something, PM me and I'll see if I can get my friends interested in setting aside some time, heh. >_> Otherwise, there's a thread for stuff like that. Threads are your friend!
From your posts I assume you're commuting to and from Seattle each day, rather than staying somewhere here? Sadly that limits what you can do a bit... (half of my best PAX experiences happened at after-hours fan events), but there are still plenty of opportunities to do cool stuff.
Buttoneer, Brigadeer, and Keeper of the Book of Wil Wheaton.
Triwizard Drinking Tournament - '09 !Hufflepuff unofficial conscript, '10 !Gryffindor
Nerd blog at culturalgeekgirl.com
In previous years, I think AT&T specifically has gotten overly slammed because of the sheer number of iPhone users on that service. Since the demographics of iPhone and smartphone have changed over the years, the spread of how hammered which networks are may have also changed.
Oh, I agree. To be clear I wasn't saying Verizon is golden, just that no wireless/3G is not a hard fast rule. We all might have better service, or it could all have gone down hill.
East 2015: Hostel/Hotel [✓] Time Off [✓] 3 Day Pass [✓] Pokecrawl [ ]
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Moe FwackyRight Here, Right NowDrives a BuickModeratormod
The wifi probably won't be reliable enough. Have you considered buying a prepaid US sim card and putting it in your phone? You can also sign up for a google voice number once you have it, and forward it to the temporary number so you can re-use the number whenever you're in the US, no matter what sim card you end up with.
-Bag. So where am I putting the food? I have a messenger bag that I'm carrying this year. Last year I didn't have a clue. Brought my purse and had the worst shoulder pain. I actually bought my messenger bag on day one from Rooster Teeth. This year, phone, nook, and 3DS will all be neatly tucked inside along with a card game or two and the snacks. Plenty of room left over for shopping.
Last year I bought an insulated backpack from REI for just this purpose. I put snacks and drinks in it along with some freezer packs and saved myself a lot of money and time. Time was my biggest concern. Instead of having to take an hour or two out to have lunch I would just bust out some food while waiting in a line and it was perfect.
The wifi probably won't be reliable enough. Have you considered buying a prepaid US sim card and putting it in your phone? You can also sign up for a google voice number once you have it, and forward it to the temporary number so you can re-use the number whenever you're in the US, no matter what sim card you end up with.
This seems like a good idea... Looks like I'll have to jailbreak my iPhone though, and go about getting a sim card from one of the American companies. Any recommendations? I don't want to be locked into a contract. To the google machine I go!
Sounds like the best deal is AT&T. I think partly due to the fact that there's a store so close? Anyone know if there are there any other providers closeby?
I'm only about an hour away from Bellingham, so all the stores are pretty easy to get to. Looking through the plans though, I think AT&T would be best. They have a $2 a day plan, unlimited talk and text for that day, and I can buy a data plan for $5 (10 MB), $15 (100MB) and $25 (500MB).
Does that seem worth it? Are there better plans out there? I'll probably be Google mapping and twittering, should I go for the $25 data plan? I know the cell service can be pretty sucky during the convention, but does anyone have experience with AT&T during PAX?
(Sorry for all the questions, I'd like to be prepared!)
You'll probably use more data than voice. Best to be prepared, I say.
Some good points made by a variety of people, I thank you all for them. One thing that I am wondering if someone could clarify. I'm used to cons where if (for example) I want to play Dogs in the Vineyard in the 10am-1pm slot then I got to a registration desk and put my name down for that. If it's full, then I have to choose something else for that time slot. It sounds like PAX is not like that, is it really just people setting up games, waiting for people to sit down and begin playing?
+stick115 Here's how the freeplay areas (including tabletop) work:
The freeplay area is basically just a big room (or rooms) with a bunch of chairs and tables. Somehwere nearby is a game "library". The tabletop area has, in past years, been populated with games from people's personal collections and/or a local gaming store. You browse the library, and pick out a game that you want to play. You "check out" the game by handing over some form of official ID like a driver's license, passport or something else that has some intrinsic value (I think a credit card works too). You then take your newfound game to the freeplay area sit down at a table and start playing. when you're donr, you take the game back to the library, return it and retrive your valued item.
If you don't already have a group, you can take a reasonably large piece of paper and a sharpie and write "LFG" (looking for group) on it and people will join your game. Alternately, you can just wander around until you see a game that looks interesting, and ask to join in. It's like a giant sized gaming party, not so much like an organized con. There *are* a few "organized" games that you sign up for, but I would say they are very much in the minority. Half the fun of PAX is just joining in (or kibitzing) on total strangers playing a game. Last year, one of the high points of our PAX experience was cheering on a group of three guys from Texas playing Pandemic. They had never played before and we had lost to that damned game dozens of times at our house parties. Because of our group of six's witty banter and commenting on their moves (we were a bit loud), by the time the game wound down to it's conclusion, there were like 25 people gathered around these three random guys, in some random freeplay room on the second floor. I'm sure they felt like they were playing on TV. They did end up winning, and almost everyone in that conference room cheered out loud. Even though we were surrounded by total strangers, playing a game that I really didn't care a lot about, it felt like we were part of the local team that just won our homecoming game for the first time in a decade.
Been a while since I've been on here, but have attended since 2008. I agree with many above posts and one thing I want to add (apologies if it's been mentioned I tried to skim the thread) is to label your gadgets. Those free address labels that are useless since no one uses snail mail anymore? Slap one on everything. Phone, DS, PSP, laptop, etc. PAX is full of honest people, no one wants to swipe your DS and all your hard earned Pokemans. This will just make it infinitely easier to get in contact with you if you accidentally leave something behind. Phones slip out of pockets in a beanbag easily without realizing it. If you're not down with address labels or don't have any, go for email and twitter/forum handle. If you lose your phone, phone number won't do you any good but you can probably find a device to check your email/twitter on. If you go to the lost and found desk and say "my black iphone is gone have you seen it?" An address label will make it very easy to identify it as yours with ID. When i had phones with removable backs I used to put a label inside the battery cover. Inside the case on an iPhone is inconspicuous as well. Check these places if you find a device too, a lot easier than trying to find and dial "home," if the phone isn't locked.
If you want a game of something that isn't D&D... are you willing to run one? I have a ready made group who I could probably convince to play Shadowrun, L5R, Seventh Sea, Savage Worlds, or practically any non-D&D RPG. Offering to run one-shots if you're a good GM and a decent teacher can be a great way to blah blah expand horizons. I keep meaning to gin up a good L5R module for one of these, but I don't have the time.
There are a lot of indie game design people demo-ing their games in the tabletop vendor area. Two years ago at PAX East I played System shock, which is a negotiated outcome storytelling RPG.
You do have to be kind of pro-active, though. PAX sometimes has a pretty good tabletop LFG system, but sometimes it's a bit disorganized (At PAX east this year it was basically nonexistant, which was annoying). Also, if there's an indie game or big massive boardgame you really want to play... consider bringing it. I've convinced far too many people to play Illuminatti at these things.
Cultural Geek Girl:
Thanks for your comments, a few points..
I was assuming that anyone GMing an RPG must have submitted their outline for the con by now, no?
I fully intend to get to every panel of boardgames/RPG that there is. What kills me is the fact that the one that I want to go to the most (D&D through the ages) I can go to because I'd miss my clipper ferry
Trying to travel light because I'm on foot, (would like to bring my warmachine figs too, but just too bulky to carry around) but as I understand it there is a large library of boardgames that one can choose from? But would that amount to choosing a game like Shogun (aka, Samurai Swords, aka Ikusa) setting it up and then waiting for people to play?
If there's a specific tabletop game you really want to play, or if you want to GM a P&P game, there are threads here where you can find other people interested, and maybe schedule a time to meet up or exchange contact information. Do I wish it was more organized? Yes. Most of the time when I've done tabletop at PAX, I've wandered down to the area and just joined in with whatever group happened to be looking for people to play. Sometimes it's something pretty pedestrian, like Carcassonne. I'd also suggest making a LFG sign or flag, so people can tell you want to be recruited (I ended up playing several games 2 player with my friend at PAX-East because I couldn't find unoccupied people to recruit. It was slightly frustrating, I'm not going to lie.)
If you'd be interested in GMing something interesting, I wasn't kidding when I said I had a group that might be interested. Two girls, two guys, have been playing various and sundry obscure P&P tabletop rpgs for years. If you'd like to run something, PM me and I'll see if I can get my friends interested in setting aside some time, heh. >_> Otherwise, there's a thread for stuff like that. Threads are your friend!
From your posts I assume you're commuting to and from Seattle each day, rather than staying somewhere here? Sadly that limits what you can do a bit... (half of my best PAX experiences happened at after-hours fan events), but there are still plenty of opportunities to do cool stuff.
@Cultural Geek Girl
Thanks very much for that info, it is a great help to me to know that the tabletop games are all free form with organized playing being the exception rather than the rule. There are both good and bad aspects to this, good being allows for more freedom without being nailed down to a schedule, bad being you don't know what is going to be played when.
I'm actually coming from Victoria, so I'm going to be around for the most of the PAX experience, though I have to leave on Sunday, which is a shame, because the one panel I really was looking forward to "D&D through the ages" is Sunday Afternoon
Really torn about GMing something. I'd like to, but I really don't have the time to put together a quality game, and this being my first PAX, I'm not really sure what to expect, I thought I'd travel light. Is very tempting though.
A tip I picked up from the forums last year: if you, like me, are on the heavy side and your thighs rub together uncomfortably when you walk, try rubbing some deodorant on the chafe-y parts -- it reduces the friction and irritation to your skin. It was a lifesaver last PAX.
Euphasie 83 Human Paladin, <Keepers of Azeroth>, Silver Hand (RP-PVE) Smithereena 67ish Gnome Rogue, <Keepers of Azeroth>, Silver Hand (RP-PVE)
My bit of advice would be: even if you haven't played Magic: The Gathering in years, dust off your favorite old deck and bring it. The impromptu multiplayer Magic games that spring up, particularly in hotel lobbies leading up to PAX, are a blast... and no one cares if you're playing with 10+ year old cards. It's a fun time to be had by all!
Posts
PAX is about experience (points).
I never finish anyth
Cultural Geek Girl:
Thanks for your comments, a few points..
I was assuming that anyone GMing an RPG must have submitted their outline for the con by now, no?
I fully intend to get to every panel of boardgames/RPG that there is. What kills me is the fact that the one that I want to go to the most (D&D through the ages) I can go to because I'd miss my clipper ferry
Trying to travel light because I'm on foot, (would like to bring my warmachine figs too, but just too bulky to carry around) but as I understand it there is a large library of boardgames that one can choose from? But would that amount to choosing a game like Shogun (aka, Samurai Swords, aka Ikusa) setting it up and then waiting for people to play?
If you want to run a game, you just show up and run it. There's no official approval process. PAX provides space, and awesome people
If you see people in the tabletop area, don't be afraid to just walk up and say "hey, I'd like to play this game, you interested?"
But wouldn't that just be because more space is needed for 4-6 people to crowd around a table (or usually two tables) ? Also, the cons that I've gone to, the electronic games are generally squashed together with very little "openness" for people to wander about, where as the boardgames generally have lots of space for people to wander about and look at the games. Nevertheless, it is heartwarming to know the love for boardgames. Check me on this though, aside from the onslaught of eurogame tourneys, there is no "schedule" per se of what games happen where?
Mattaui
Certainly appreciate your perspective, especially as someone who has gone to big cons. My interest in MMO's is less than zero, I played WoW for 60 levels, on an Roleplaying server and didn't get nearly the same experience as I do when playing a character in Pendragon. Would take too long to explain and I don't want to derail the thread (because there is some VERY useful info here).
Zershul
Thanks for this, it's unfortunate it is like this, but I'm glad I know now, as opposed to when I get there. I'm a little confused though. In this thread and others, people seem to suggest that both cell and wireless will be slower than a slug in death valley, in which case, is does twitter really work?
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/142101/play-dd-at-pax-prime-2011/p1
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/143429/table-top-rpgers-assemble-non-dnd
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/144164/pre-and-post-pax-boardgame-get-together-update-august-8th/p1
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/144909/request-boardcard-games-that-youd-like-to-play-at-pax
- comfy shoes!
- make lunch = save money
- don't count on internet
- Bring anti bacterial cream
- Line ups are big (sadly no DS or Magic cards, might bring an old school thing, called a book
- Swag can be EPIC (but is any of it really "good"?)
Things I'm going to do that people might not have thought of
- I'm from Canada, so going to get insurance for the time I'm down there. May seem stupid, I know, not like gamers are a really rough and tumble crowd, but provides me piece of mind.
- echinacea pills, I don't plan on being sick, but an immune booster can't be a bad thing.
- Asperin- Because if the expo hall is louder than a casino, I'm gonna need it!
- Open mind to panels, seriously considering rolling percentile dice and going to the respective panel.
I know a bunch of my friends are going on Thursday evening and going back monday morning
I'm going on the tuesday night boat and going home on the tuesday afternoon boat :P
Not sure I'm going to actually do it since I'm pretty sure my husband doesn't want to sit around at PAX and watch me play/have all the fun, but I thought I'd ask just in case. Thanks guys!
This probably *does* belong in the tabletop tourney thread (I think it's on page 2 right now). You sign up at pax as far as I know (not sure if they are pure signups or lines this year). Also, don't worry about leaving people to do something! I'm sure he can find something fun to do with all the new friends you'll meet at pax.
Okie dokes, thanks so much! Wasn't sure I'd be bothering people over there with the noobie question. And yeah, people are generally pretty nice and friendly at PAX, (only a few seem to violate Wil Wheaton's law).. I had someone compliment me on my Keyboard Cat t-shirt last year out of the blue which was awesome/nice, since most of the time people think I just love cats in t-shirts staring at the moon...
If you were motivated to play Magic, you may want to try going to your local card/comic/game store (not Hobbytown USA). My local shop sells complete Magic decks for $7. They are custom built for you to be able to sit down and play a competitive game. While there won't be any ZOMG RARE cards, you at least don't have to invest a ton of money just to be able to play a few relaxed games in line.
My first PAX (last year) was pretty passive, too. I haven't gotten as active in the forums as I would like to have before this year's event, but I'm definitely going to be a lot more proactive/social at PAX this year.
What did I learn last year?
-Comfortable shoes (as so many have mentioned) are a must. I was good last year, but the friends who came with me either wore old, beat up shoes or tried to wear brand new tennis shoes. They hurt, we sat, and I waited.
-Food! Friday, last year, I actually forgot to eat all day. At the end of the day we walked over to the Hard Rock Cafe and it took me a second to realize why that first drink hit me so hard. This year, I've already got snacks planned. And water. There is a lot of good food in Seattle. Consider looking outside the familiar chains for lunches/dinners/late night drinking.
-Bag. So where am I putting the food? I have a messenger bag that I'm carrying this year. Last year I didn't have a clue. Brought my purse and had the worst shoulder pain. I actually bought my messenger bag on day one from Rooster Teeth. This year, phone, nook, and 3DS will all be neatly tucked inside along with a card game or two and the snacks. Plenty of room left over for shopping.
-Cash. There are ATMs at the Convention Center. That said, I have seen them run out of cash, so I always just get it before I go. Someone said to keep food $ and spending $ separate. Another good thing to note is to separate your transportation $. We had a bit of an adventure last year when I accidentally spent our bus fare.
-Patience. It is not, not, not possible to see everything. I picked one panel each day that was a priority for me to get to and that worked out pretty well. But never focus on the things you missed, because then you won't enjoy all the wonderful delights there are to see.
I've embroidered a little flag with the letters "LFG". So if you see that waving in the Tabletop area, come play a game with me!
+++BRONYS BEFORE BROS!+++
I have "bad" feet. Find me in a couple weeks and we can talk specific diagnoses, but it's bad enough that in past PAX's I'd be in serious pain Friday night, hobbling around Saturday, and barely able to walk Sunday. But last year (after learning a few things in physical therapy that summer) I brought some cold packs to Seattle with me and it made a world of difference. Back and forth to Benaroya Hall? No problem!
I'll have access to a freezer for PAX (Homewood Suites FTW!) so I can use my cold packs, but for East, I had two big ziplocks that I filled from the ice machine. I was told that I could ice down as much and as often as I could stand. 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off. A little of this each night is enough to keep me going all weekend long.
Ice!
I see this a lot. Personally, I had zero issues with cell signal in the last 5 years. Even 3G. I am on Verizon and I think that may have a factor in it, or I have been really lucky.
If there's a specific tabletop game you really want to play, or if you want to GM a P&P game, there are threads here where you can find other people interested, and maybe schedule a time to meet up or exchange contact information. Do I wish it was more organized? Yes. Most of the time when I've done tabletop at PAX, I've wandered down to the area and just joined in with whatever group happened to be looking for people to play. Sometimes it's something pretty pedestrian, like Carcassonne. I'd also suggest making a LFG sign or flag, so people can tell you want to be recruited (I ended up playing several games 2 player with my friend at PAX-East because I couldn't find unoccupied people to recruit. It was slightly frustrating, I'm not going to lie.)
If you'd be interested in GMing something interesting, I wasn't kidding when I said I had a group that might be interested. Two girls, two guys, have been playing various and sundry obscure P&P tabletop rpgs for years. If you'd like to run something, PM me and I'll see if I can get my friends interested in setting aside some time, heh. >_> Otherwise, there's a thread for stuff like that. Threads are your friend!
From your posts I assume you're commuting to and from Seattle each day, rather than staying somewhere here? Sadly that limits what you can do a bit... (half of my best PAX experiences happened at after-hours fan events), but there are still plenty of opportunities to do cool stuff.
Triwizard Drinking Tournament - '09 !Hufflepuff unofficial conscript, '10 !Gryffindor
Nerd blog at culturalgeekgirl.com
Sounds like the best deal is AT&T. I think partly due to the fact that there's a store so close? Anyone know if there are there any other providers closeby?
Verizon phones don't have sim cards, so I'm pretty sure they don't sell prepaid sim cards.
You'll probably use more data than voice. Best to be prepared, I say.
+stick115 Here's how the freeplay areas (including tabletop) work:
The freeplay area is basically just a big room (or rooms) with a bunch of chairs and tables. Somehwere nearby is a game "library". The tabletop area has, in past years, been populated with games from people's personal collections and/or a local gaming store. You browse the library, and pick out a game that you want to play. You "check out" the game by handing over some form of official ID like a driver's license, passport or something else that has some intrinsic value (I think a credit card works too). You then take your newfound game to the freeplay area sit down at a table and start playing. when you're donr, you take the game back to the library, return it and retrive your valued item.
If you don't already have a group, you can take a reasonably large piece of paper and a sharpie and write "LFG" (looking for group) on it and people will join your game. Alternately, you can just wander around until you see a game that looks interesting, and ask to join in. It's like a giant sized gaming party, not so much like an organized con. There *are* a few "organized" games that you sign up for, but I would say they are very much in the minority. Half the fun of PAX is just joining in (or kibitzing) on total strangers playing a game. Last year, one of the high points of our PAX experience was cheering on a group of three guys from Texas playing Pandemic. They had never played before and we had lost to that damned game dozens of times at our house parties. Because of our group of six's witty banter and commenting on their moves (we were a bit loud), by the time the game wound down to it's conclusion, there were like 25 people gathered around these three random guys, in some random freeplay room on the second floor. I'm sure they felt like they were playing on TV. They did end up winning, and almost everyone in that conference room cheered out loud. Even though we were surrounded by total strangers, playing a game that I really didn't care a lot about, it felt like we were part of the local team that just won our homecoming game for the first time in a decade.
That's what PAX is about.
Are there any pcs at the con that I could use a couple times a day to offload the SD cards to my usb external hard drive? Where would be the best bet?
(I dont have a notebook and understand the virus issue involved)
@Cultural Geek Girl
Thanks very much for that info, it is a great help to me to know that the tabletop games are all free form with organized playing being the exception rather than the rule. There are both good and bad aspects to this, good being allows for more freedom without being nailed down to a schedule, bad being you don't know what is going to be played when.
I'm actually coming from Victoria, so I'm going to be around for the most of the PAX experience, though I have to leave on Sunday, which is a shame, because the one panel I really was looking forward to "D&D through the ages" is Sunday Afternoon
Really torn about GMing something. I'd like to, but I really don't have the time to put together a quality game, and this being my first PAX, I'm not really sure what to expect, I thought I'd travel light. Is very tempting though.