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Help Us Improve the PC Area At PAX
Hello Friends,
On the heels of PAX Prime 2013 ending, those of us managing the PC Room are wanting to take a step back and look inwardly to see how we can make the PC Room (both BYOC and Freeplay) a better experience for all. In doing that, we'd like to look externally to you, our wonderful attendees who consume the products that we put together for you.
Couple notes on how we desire this conversation to go. We're looking for positive improvements, suggestions, as well as things we're currently doing really well with. There may be things you suggest that we have no control over, and there may be things that you suggest that we have complete control over. We also can't guarantee that we implement everything that comes from this thread, or anything at all for that matter. What I can guarantee is that the folks who want to make the PC Room the best it can be, will be reading this, myself included.
Please try to keep this discussion on topic. Suggestions that you provide that are not specifically in response to the PC Room, I'd like to minimize as much as possible. The same goes for any banter among people who comment. We're open to discussion if we remain on topic, and we'll likely even ask for more information if there's something you strike upon that intrigues us.
The goal being, building the best PC Room (Freeplay and BYOC) that we can possibly have for PAX East 2014 and beyond. Please present your feedback with thoughtfulness. And if we don't respond directly to you regarding your suggestion, do not think it's because we don't like it. We might choose not to respond much at all, depends on how the conversation goes.
If you like a suggestion that someone else posts, use the AWESOME link in their post so that I can see how many of you truly like it. That's better than quoting someone and saying "this rules!" Cause it allows us to see just how broad that suggestion reached to you all.
Here are some talking points for folks to consider?
There are other points for sure, but these should help get the conversation going. We look forward to your responses!
Thanks!
On the heels of PAX Prime 2013 ending, those of us managing the PC Room are wanting to take a step back and look inwardly to see how we can make the PC Room (both BYOC and Freeplay) a better experience for all. In doing that, we'd like to look externally to you, our wonderful attendees who consume the products that we put together for you.
Couple notes on how we desire this conversation to go. We're looking for positive improvements, suggestions, as well as things we're currently doing really well with. There may be things you suggest that we have no control over, and there may be things that you suggest that we have complete control over. We also can't guarantee that we implement everything that comes from this thread, or anything at all for that matter. What I can guarantee is that the folks who want to make the PC Room the best it can be, will be reading this, myself included.
Please try to keep this discussion on topic. Suggestions that you provide that are not specifically in response to the PC Room, I'd like to minimize as much as possible. The same goes for any banter among people who comment. We're open to discussion if we remain on topic, and we'll likely even ask for more information if there's something you strike upon that intrigues us.
The goal being, building the best PC Room (Freeplay and BYOC) that we can possibly have for PAX East 2014 and beyond. Please present your feedback with thoughtfulness. And if we don't respond directly to you regarding your suggestion, do not think it's because we don't like it. We might choose not to respond much at all, depends on how the conversation goes.
If you like a suggestion that someone else posts, use the AWESOME link in their post so that I can see how many of you truly like it. That's better than quoting someone and saying "this rules!" Cause it allows us to see just how broad that suggestion reached to you all.
Here are some talking points for folks to consider?
- BYOC In General
- Atmosphere of the PC Room (includes music, etc)
- Thoughts on Exhibitors? Want to see more? Do more? etc?
- PC Freeplay Software List and Tournaments
- What can we improve?
- What are we doing right already?
There are other points for sure, but these should help get the conversation going. We look forward to your responses!
Thanks!
Vapok
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I also very much appreciated that at the very end of the night on one of the days (probably Friday) my group was given a few minutes to wrap up the L4D2 campaign we were doing - that we had been working on foreverrrrr - instead of being kicked right off. You guys rock and it made our night.
It was frustrating. We thought if those machines were going to be used for tournaments they shouldn't have been given out in the first place. Or we could at least get priority placement when other machines came open.
As I said, we didn't even try to go to FreePlay in 2013 - so it's possible this is a non issue. Or we just got really unlucky on two different occasions in 2012.
The only problem I had (and it was probably with me) - I found it hard to keep up with both the exhibit hall and the events at BYOC. If there was a schedule of tournaments/organized games I must have missed it, aside from blundering into one as I came back to relax and play a bit. Communication to get through to people like me might help keep us coming back more often. Try flares. Or a clown with laser eyes.
Idea (I'm sure I'll keep adding as time goes on):
Convince some of the PC hardware vendors actually stop by BYOC to maybe give a talk on their hardware - not an infomercial, but just a one-on-one mini-panel on performance tweaks, modding, advantages of this-over-that on the PC room stage. Maybe a quick Q&A with the folks from Corsair, Cooler Master, Nvidia, etc. BYOC attendees are the core of their business, and it would be nice to get some more time with them other than 30 seconds of chat in the craziness of the show floor that amounts to a sales pitch and a button to take home. One of the best moments (PC-wise) I had was at the 2012 show where I chatted with one of the guys from Corsair about how he designed one of their (then) newest cases for nearly an hour. He even gave me a few suggestions for cutting/modding the case for an idea I was mulling over. I feel like this might add another draw to BYOC beyond "I should stop by before the raffle starts" for some.
1. Make sure BCEC Staff is aware of PC Drop off area!
2. If it's possible, I know the BYOC PC tourneys are published on the intranet, but if there's also a way to publish the times of the non-pc event/games so we can make sure were around. (unless I completely missed it).
3. More BYOC PC Tourney/Events. Maybe have timeslots/prizes set aside for "player suggested tourney's" or if a group wanted to get together for an impromptu TF2 tourney or something.
Overall the experience last year was a blast, Check in/out was a breeze, it just felt like last year, there wasn't enough going on (or published) to keep my around the BYOC area. I'm not sure about no-shows but It felt like the room was 80% empty most of the time.
Also, it almost felt like Corsair was a sponsor of the BYOC as much as they were around/ doing things. I thought that was great, wish more vendors were that aware.
Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong or missed something. I'm sure someone will.
3 Day Pass [X] - BYOC [X] - Accomodations [X] - Travel [ X ] - Time Off [ X ]
BYOC In General
Can't comment, though I am looking to attend the BYOC this year so who knows, I've heard its good!
Atmosphere of the PC Room (includes music, etc)
I thought it was fine, last year's PC Freeplay was bigger than the year before, though I do have some thoughts for additions (I will post more below)
Thoughts on Exhibitors? Want to see more? Do more? etc?
More exhibitors I think would be cool as there is still a LOT of open space in that area.
PC Freeplay Software List and Tournaments
Please if possible, announce potential tournaments prior to badges going on sale, I think different people would the opportunity to compete with their teams if enough notice was given.
What can we improve?
Stability of the machines, last year a few crashed on me and I was lucky enough to jump from machine to machine without incident.
What are we doing right already?
Organization is great, enforcers are nice (haven't met one that was snarky yet, and believe me I would let them know).
Future Suggestion:
Offer a gaming laptop area, where players can bring their own equipment and set up and play. I think a lot of guilds and other players who want to link up could REALLY enjoy this. Since there are so many gaming laptops shown at PAX, it might not be a bad idea to mix in some demo units as well.
This would be easier than the BYOC and Freeplay because players just bring their own equipment and LAN. You can sell CAT 5 cables or just make sure that all the ports have a cable. Players can just bring their gear, and when they are done, or their time is up pack up shop and move along. Since there is so much space, and maybe exhibitors don't want to be in the PC area, and just on the main floor, I think this would be a great way to network with gamers, conduct tournaments etc...
It would be like the Tabletop free play area, with laptops and internet access!
Vapok, would that be reasonable?
1. Vendor time on the stage to talk to BYOC attendees. Might get a little pushback based on the fact they are doing exactly this in panels and in their booths, but it would be good to get in front of PC-based attendees at a different level than for the general public.
2. Better BYOC communication. Mr. Lector, I am there with you.
3. Laptop area. I think we would still have it be BYOC, but perhaps a little denser -- and we could definitely expand BYOC more. I'll have to check in on the amount of networking gear we have access to.
Are there security concerns? Expanding the BYOC would be great I am looking forward to joining it (with my laptop)
I just think an area for gaming laptops, bring your own would be sweet!
The biggest problem I see is that without some kind of system in place, I see attendees taking advantage of using that space for extended periods of time preventing other people from making use of it, and then causing some people to get frustrated because they've been waiting an hour to use that space. Which could lead to unexpected additional queue lines to form.
So to solve for that, would mean putting in some kind of time limit scenario which means we'd have to staff that location with an Enforcer. While it might look like our Enforcer pool is infinite, many times, departments are actually running on less Enforcers than needed. Implementing a new system like this will cause more strain on those departments that would staff it. Again, resourcing seems like an easy problem to fix, but I can assure you, that's one of the hardest parts of putting a PAX together.
If I were to try and create a middle ground scenario, it would be to still require people to purchase a BYOC badge, but that maybe we bunch laptops together in a more dense configuration allowing for more people into BYOC (if they're using a laptop). What makes this more difficult from a planning point of view, is that we'd have to obtain that information (that you're bringing a laptop) upon ticket purchase, which is currently not something that is setup.
Having said all of that though, I think you highlight some interesting areas that might be worth taking note on to see what exactly is possible for us to do in this regard.
Thanks for the suggestions!
Vapok
I get that there are enforcer limitations, hence making execution difficult or even impossible. I did remember seeing A LOT of floor space available last year, so maybe just expanding the BYOC may address that need.
It could also be that even if you announced what I had suggested originally (hypothetically) maybe people wouldn't even use it. Who knows.
Expanding the BYOC for a laptop section (not for status, just for space) I think would be a great idea, how many seats do you think you could add?
1) I'd definitely say getting more Vendor Satellite booths setup down in the pit would be a good sell. It kinda felt like while the gaming enthusiasm was there, the vendor and manufacturer presence wasn't as strong, if not nearly completely absent entirely. I remember in PE'12, Intel's tournament area was nearly inside of PC Freeplay, so it drew a bigger more engaging crowd and interest in what they were doing. Even bigger than that tho is we have all this awesome hardware that is setup for all the comps, but yet no easy way for people to snag those products than wandering around the con trying to find their booth.
2) Advertised Tournaments via a secondary Projector on the airwall or more signage would be a good thing I also think to draw people.
3) Maybe figure out a cross-event with TableTop Gaming since theyre right next door to us? Magic the Gathering Duels of the Planeswalker 2014 is out now, maybe that could be used in some fashion for a digital Magic Tourney?
4) More gaming posters put up for current games out or coming out? Also in PE'12, vendors had more Demo stuff to show in our area than out on the show floor. Again, this is just an off-the-cuff idea, PE'13 just seemed to have fewer demo stuff to play and test out.
5) Enforcers get lightsabers. I realize the economical burden this would cause in issuing plasma fueled sidearms to [E], but I believe its in the best interest of all PCFP and BYOC that we be armed against roaming Sith!
So there's my own 5, hopefully it helps spark some ideas~
In general, I have to say I really enjoy East as a PAX Experience more than Prime, but the Prime PC room this year was so spectacularly excellent (thanks to the hard work of yourself and Neverender), I think we should carry over best practices.
We need someone like Pyro (is Pyro coming to East?!) running that PA system. Someone who sounds authoritative, yet humorous. Who can provide updates and announcements, with a little bit of random color.
We need to manage flow through the PC room so that we're not overwhelming the PC Security guys who are trying to block the BYOC entrance. This has been a big issue for two Easts now. It is, to me, the biggest logistical issue. It's not an issue at Prime because of the flow of the Annex. It's a huge issue at East because the map shows the most direct path from Expo to Tabletop and the Food Court as right through BYOC.
Setup and Teardown: We can manage that stuff internally, but nice damn job at Prime, man.
Peace, Love and Video Games:
-Roger
This might actually be worse than the time Red threatened to play nothing but the theme from Robot Unicorn Attack (and remixes).
And I know this is a stretch but is it possible to remove the BYOC passes from the website registration? East BYOC was virtually empty..
PAX East 2018 4-Day Pass [X] BYOC Pass [X] Hotel Reservation [X]
See y'all at PAX East 2018!
I'll be honest, the last two years I haven't really been in BYOC much, it was more of a quiet(ish) place to sit down between other activities. The amount of time I spend there is roughly dependent on the people I'm rolling with (not all of whom do the BYOC thing) and the quality of other panels/games/tournaments. Last year we did a lot of tabletop, and the year before there were some network issues (beyond the control of the BYOC [E]s) the first day that kind of sucked. Still I always splash the $35 or whatever to have the space. One of my goals for 2014 is to do a little bit more in the BYOC area again.
Thats our vision, and we'll be looking forward to making that a reality. One big factor that will affect us is the natural environment and space that we're in for East, which is much different from Prime. It's much harder to create an atmosphere at East because of the large expo floor that we're in, where as at Prime, we're in a conference center floor, made of carpet, with walls, and partitions.
We're going to do our best to replicate last Prime's experience for East 2014.
Vapok
PAX East 2018 4-Day Pass [X] BYOC Pass [X] Hotel Reservation [X]
See y'all at PAX East 2018!
Anybody else picturing BYOC in a circus tent? Awesomesauce!
3 Day Pass [X] - BYOC [X] - Accomodations [X] - Travel [ X ] - Time Off [ X ]
Pax South 2015 checklist: Accommodations[x] Travel [x] Time Off [ ] BYOC [x]
Pax East 2015 checklist: Accommodations[ ] Travel [ ] Time Off [ ] BYOC [ ]
3 Day Pass [X] - BYOC [X] - Accomodations [X] - Travel [ X ] - Time Off [ X ]