Hello BYOC registrants! PAX East is now only days away, and the following information should help to make sure your BYOC festivities go smoothly. If you have any questions, please let us know in the PAX Forum, Message us at our unofficial twitter account
@East_BYOC , or shoot us an email at pax_pc@penny-arcade.com. The main PAX Penny Arcade Forum can be found at
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/categories/pax-the-penny-arcade-expo, and in it you'll find BigRed's BYOC thread for PAX East 2012 at
http://tinyurl.com/East2012BYOC which will include this email along with any updates that occur between now and PAX.
--- Basic LAN Party Information ---
If you've never been to a LAN party, be sure to bring the following equipment:
BYOC barcode that you were emailed and printed out (from the Intel LAN Fest site) (if you don't have it yet, don't sweat, they should be out by the end of the week prior to PAX East)
Photo ID (You will need this to pick up your BYOC Badge)
3 day PAX pass
Computer
Monitor (Please no bigger than 24" LCD or 21" CRT... hopefully everyone has moved onto LCD by now)
Keyboard
Mouse (we recommend wired, just to avoid any potential interference)
Mouse pad
Ethernet cable (20 feet should be sufficient, but it's better to have longer than shorter).
Power cables
Headphones
Games CDs/DVDs, Windows CD, and backups for other programs you may need to install/reinstall.
We suggest printing off this list checking each item as you pack it. If you end up forgetting something, talk to an Enforcer and we might be able to hook you up. If we can't, Best Buy is less than a mile away:
Best Buy
14 Allstate Road
Dorchester, MA 02125
Please update/patch your games before coming to PAX East. This includes updating Steam, Impulse, Origin, and such. You will have access to the Internet while at PAX East, but the more time you spend doing something you could have done at home, the less time you'll spend having fun. Plus we have limited bandwidth.
It is also mandatory that you run virus protection on your computer before connecting it to our network. Any computers that are found with a virus will be immediately disconnected from the network until the matter is resolved.
--- PAX East BYOC Location & Badge Pickup --
Lots of updates can be found on BigRed's forum thread (referenced at the start of the email), along with handy loading/unloading info. BYOC is located in Level 0 / Expo Hall B1 on the West side of the building.
Thursday:
BYOC Badge pickup will be at PAX Reg/Will-Call. This is THURSDAY ONLY 8am-8pm. We will be staffing a booth of Registration for your convenience so you can get your badge before you check in your equipment.
Friday - Sunday:
BYOC Badge pickup will move to the PC Security desk. If you didn't get your badge on thursday you can get it when you check in for BYOC.
--- Unloading on Friday of PAX ---
We ended up not being able to use the loading dock, but we do have easy access from the road for those of you driving. Here are some descriptions with pictures! (clickable links)
Pull in to the Westin/BCEC area at the base of the giant media wall. Follow this road (West Side Drive) all the way past the building, and down and back up the ramps. Keep following the road until you get to Level 1 Northwest.
We will have signs posted where the load-in area will be and there will be a security station there that can hold your equipment for you while you park your car.
For those of you staying at the Westin, simply cross the skybridge from the second level of the hotel and there will be signage to direct you to the pc from there. Thankfully it's not the long trek from the front of the BCEC like it was last year!
The PAX East BYOC schedule is as follows:
Friday: 8:00am - 1:30am
Saturday: 10:00am - 1:30am
Sunday: 10:00am - 6:30pm
Note that BYOC opens at 8:00am on Friday, two hours earlier than the rest of the show. Obviously that's pending our ability to make sure things are totally ready for you, but the idea is you'll be able to set up your rig with plenty of time to hop in the Expo Hall line so you can be among the first to explore it's riches.
Make sure you print out the barcode (which should be sent soooon). If you don't have your 3-day pass shipped to you, you can pick it up from Will Call in the North Lobby, the big huge room in front of the expo hall. (On Thursday only, you will be able to get your BYOC Badge at Will Call as well, otherwise it will be in front of BYOC).
If you have any PC related questions at all during PAX East, please see the BYOC Desk (In front of the Stage). If they're not able to provide a solution, they'll be able to direct you to the right people to get your problem solved. If you're in need of tech support, please see the help desk at the back of the BYOC room.
--- Security Information ---
Of course, there's more to do at PAX than just play PC games, and we want you to be able to go do all of these things secure in the knowledge that your computer and peripherals are safe and sound. To that end, we probably put a much higher emphasis on security than most other LAN parties. Before you enter the PAX East BYOC area, you will have to quickly register your computer and any monitor you're bringing into the computer area (you'll have to check them out as well). We've gone to great lengths to keep the security processes in check, and as such, please keep your BYOC badge as visible as possible when entering the room.
While we will make every attempt to keep all equipment in the room safe, be aware that there is little we can do to prevent ipods, portable game consoles, CD's, big wads of cash, and other small items from walking off. We strongly suggest you keep such items out of plain view and use some common sense when it comes to your own security.
If you're coming with a laptop, we also strongly recommend you invest in a laptop lock particularly if you plan on leaving your laptop unaccompanied while you rock out to the concerts. If you don't know what kind to get, pick anything from this list:
http://bit.ly/hHNo1p
--- Tournament Information ---
Your Tournament Overlords this year will be kmess and codemaster.
All PC Tournament information can be found on the PAX forums, at this address:
http://tinyurl.com/East2012PCTournaments
--- BYOC Activities ---
Your BYOC camp counselor/activities director this year will be BigRed. He'll be in charge of making sure you're having fun while you're sitting at your computer.
If you joined us in years past you'll be familiar with the BYOC activities we run. Unlike the tournaments, they're kept pretty casual and serve as a great way to have some quick fun, and perhaps win some prizes along the way. Although they are generally exclusive to BYOC attendees, sometimes they will be using freeplay computers, particularly for events in games that not everyone may have. More information will be available at PAX East.
--- Sponsorship Information ---
PAX East BYOC 2012 has Intel Inside (literally) through LANFest. The room could not and would not exist without their support, so props to them!
LANFest sponsored by Intel
http://lanfest.intel.com
GXL is providing the network for the event
http://www.thegxl.com/
--- Intranet Information ---
As always our intranet page will be at
http://pax/ (The link won't work until you're on our network, of course!). Expect it to contain a Twitter feed among other social communication platforms along with Game server info, Schedule Info, and possibly some contest stuff!
--- Voice Chat Information ---
We will have a couple Ventrilo servers available for tournaments and public gaming. While we will have the client available on our file server, it is recommended that you download and install Ventrilo before you come to the event. You can download the client at
http://www.ventrilo.com.
Server address information will be available at PAX on the intranet site.
See you guys there!
Although I have some good news and some bad news.
PC room is on Level 0, B1 this year. On the right side (of the below chart) the airwall will be deployed, however on bottom it will be a half height wall. Sadly this wont block out much noise. Luckily most of the noise will be coming from the other side of the airwall.
Luckily expo hall closes at 6pm.
Due to a shortage of tables BYOC got "Stuck with" 6ft tables instead of 8ft tables. What this means for you guys is you get slightly more space (a couple inches) since its 2 people per 6ft table rather than 3 people per 8ft table.
Also...
This is for groups of 6 people or larger.
If you don't have 6 don't worry, if you show up early enough you will be able to get seats together.
A way to contact you if you don't think your group will be there early or if you are running late.
Seats will be held until NOON on FRIDAY. After that we will have to release them for anybody to grab.
Groups will be allowed to check in first at 8am on Friday.
Group leaders need to police their group, we have had issues where friends of people in a group would sit in a group sometimes taking up other groups seats (When they are next to each other). If theres a dispute I will have to refer back to the list of handles and make the offenders relocate.
Please don't make this difficult since this is done as a courtesy to you guys so groups can sit together.
(Note the stage/entrance BYOC tables in the top left arent to scale other than their location. Also speakers for announcements will be in every corner and in the top/bottom middles, 6 speakers total. Just so people know who are sensitive to or need extra volume)
We will be doing group seating for groups 6+ again but that wont go up until much closer to the event.
Posts
Putting this highly relevant question at the top:
Q: Can I transfer my BYOC ticket to someone else?
A: Short answer is, NO. You can only get a refund for your ticket via Intel LANfest.
Long answer:
We did this to kill the scalping of tickets which got WAY out of hand a few years ago. You can get a refund for the ticket price via LANfest but ticket transfers are not allowed.
Refund requests must be submitted BEFORE Friday, March 30th if you cannot attend PAX BYOC This year.
Q: How many BYOC Spots will be available?
A: Around 360 seats.
Q: How much does BYOC cost?
A: $30 in addition to your PAX 3day pass.
Q: What time do you recommend (or require) people show up for BYOC check-in?
A: Check in will start 2 hours before PAX opening. We aim to have it all complete an hour before PAX opens, to give people an hour to get their stuff hooked up and ready.
Q: What hours does the BYOC run each day?
A: Same hours as PAX. The room will have to be cleared at PAX closing. About 30min before closing there will be an in-room announcement to start wrapping up your games or whatever for the night before everyone gets kicked out at closing.
Q: Do I leave my stuff in the LAN the whole time?
A: Yes. The room is guarded all during PAX and locked up at night. We are the first ones in and the Last ones out. If you must take your stuff up (like a laptop) you need to Check it out at the security desk as you leave and check it back in when you return.
Q: What games are typically played?
A: Whatever is popular this year. TF2, LoL, COD4/5/6/7/8/9/10/etc, BF3, WoW, Starcraft 2, Portal 2, Monday Night Combat, L4D2, etc. If you want to play a game you can find others that are up for it as well.
Q: If I get a spot for the BYOC, I don't need to commit to being in there the whole time, right? Just when I feel like relaxing and playing some games with people?
A: Correct, you aren't chained to your spot in BYOC. The majority of BYOC attendees are just there in-between the PAX events that they want to go see.
Q: Can I bring my 30+ something inch monitor/TV?
A: The max monitor size is 24" due to power and space constraints.
Q: Can I bring my own chair?
A: NO! PAX and the convention center don’t allow this. It presents a safety issue with chairs that take up too much space and can roll into the isles.
Q: Can I bring a laptop with my desktop?
A: Yes as long as you stay within your 30" of table space. Although remember you only get one network port and two power ports per seat , So you will have to power down something of your desktop to charge your laptop.
Q: Can I bring a switch or own Power strip to increase that?
A: NO! No outside networking devices are allowed. Any spotted will be removed.
A: Daisy chaining power strips is a HUGE no as well. Fire Marshall hates that so we need to enforce this pretty seriously. Sorry.
Q: Do I need to bring a network cable?
A: Yes. You will need a network cable to hook your computer up to the network switch at your table. Bring around a 25ft cable otherwise; depending where you are sitting, the switch may be out of your cables reach.
Q: Can I bring *insert friend/Girlfriend/spouse/random person here* in BYOC with me?
A: No, Sorry. To ensure the security of everyone's personal equipment in a busy area such as PAX, only BYOC attendees are allowed into the BYOC room.
Q: Is there Internet in BYOC?
A: Yes there will be, although it will be locked down to prevent things like torrenting and throttled so not one person can use up all the bandwidth.
Q: But... how am I supposed to get my computer there?
A: Drive it! An alternate option which I have used to attend LANs that are far away, is to ship yourself your computer/monitor to your hotel you are staying at. If you call them and say you have a package coming they will hold it for you until you check-in. Just ship it back to yourself when PAX is over.
Q: Can I bring my xbox/playstation/nintendo console?
A: Sorry, no consoles allowed in here. This is a PC LAN. You can’t bring in a console in addition either, those things use up a lot of power.
Q: Can I Bring a cooler in for drinks/snacks?
A: Yes but only small personal coolers /w no ice (use the frozen gelpacks). If it has more than one handle and/or wheels then it won’t be allowed in (think lunch sized cooler).
Q: 3days are sold out! NOOOOOOO! What if I get 3 1 day passes? Will those work with the BYOC badge?
A: Yup! you just have to get into PAX with the PAX pass before you get into BYOC.
All information is subject to change as that’s the nature of the convention beast. We are not trying to be mean, things can always change without notice.
VERY glad to hear this. Can't wait!
I missed last years because I didn't know to follow here and I was sad for an entire year (had made the first Pax East BYOC).
Just like last year, Id follow @East_BYOC though if you are interested in the BYOC area ;-) That account always has the up to date BYOC info.
If they're still using the LANfest interface, then you should be able to. I registered 2 last year, and was able to give the info for both.
As of PAX Prime 2011, I believe you could only do a limited number of people at once, but I may be mistakenly thinking of something else.
Had to add more numbers to the games played section after COD since I forgot to take into account that MW3 is the 8th cod game, lol
Me and my friends are waiting for this
Pinny Pal since PAX Prime 2013
I never finish anyth
There's also the option of finding a fellow southern NHer who's driving, and wouldn't mind you taking up some luggage space . . .
You have a coat, right? Well, with BYOC, you'll have a place to put that coat! It's a no-brainer!
Anyone know if it would be cheaper to ship to a location (UPS store or something maybe?) near the Westin to avoid this fee? Otherwise, I'm thinking I'll just bring my Macbook Pro and play Minecraft and Robot Unicorn Attack (god damn you Red) the whole time.
I have one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Magna-Cart-Ideal-Hand-Truck/dp/B001HBH1BM/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1323887651&sr=1-2. Add a couple of bungee cords and it's pretty stable.
My buddy and I took the Sonic Line train up last year. I shipped my system, he lugged his. He didn't have a hand truck, which meant he had to stop about every 50 feet to catch his breath from carrying the tower+monitor+regular luggage. Even with the hand truck, I'm not sure how much I really want to carry my rig on the train. Still... if the other option is paying $40+handling fees for shipping... maybe I will.
Thanks! We had to lug the damn computer when he won it at PAX 2010, when the con said they weren't allowed to help/give us a hand truck... REALLY don't want to do that again!
The trains actually weren't too busy last year, so I think we timed it right. The commuter rail is easy all around, and the T is about timing, like you said. Waiting for the next train, especially say on the Green line, only takes a couple extra minutes but can really make a difference in how tightly packed the train is.
Not sure what 8bit case to make this year...either Zelda or a pixilated companion cube...time shall tell
Question- I use dual monitors. Both are 23". I can only bring one, correct?
PAX East 2018 4-Day Pass [X] BYOC Pass [X] Hotel Reservation [X]
See y'all at PAX East 2018!
You can only bring one monitor, I believe 24" is the max. Think of that space as the width (with a little buffer) of your personal LAN space.
Edit: oh damn, this was my 1000th post.
PAX East 2018 4-Day Pass [X] BYOC Pass [X] Hotel Reservation [X]
See y'all at PAX East 2018!
I'm going to guess close to never. All equipment has to be signed in and out whenever it is brought in and out. Equipment can't just leave, not even with the owner, without serious approval. The area is under lock and key when PAX is closed. PC security is taken *incredibly* seriously. That doesn't mean NOTHING has ever gone missing, but it would be pretty hard to sneak something out.
PAX East 2018 4-Day Pass [X] BYOC Pass [X] Hotel Reservation [X]
See y'all at PAX East 2018!
A list of things, should you be of the gifting persuasion
They also directed me to this forum. Wish I knew who it was.
PAX East 2018 4-Day Pass [X] BYOC Pass [X] Hotel Reservation [X]
See y'all at PAX East 2018!