PAX 2005 Update

Robert Khoo

I've been getting a few emails and PMs on what's going on with next year, so I figured I'd answer the big ones here:

1. The date?
August 26th, 27th and 28th.

2. Three days, huh?
Yes- we'll be moving to a three day, non-24 hour format. A bunch of bad stuff happened in the wee hours of the morning last year, plus we want to promote afterhours parties and such. It'll still be open super late on Friday and Saturday night... 1 or 2 AM at the earliest.

3. Cost?
It won't be too much more expensive than last year.. possibly cheaper on a daily basis.

4. Venue?
We're juggling a few right now, but i'm sure the guys will announce it on the front page once we know. Let's just say we want to make sure the overcrowding of last year doesn't happen again.

5. The Concert? Who's playing? Will I actually get to see them this year?
Think last year and more. And yes, you'll definitely be able to see them this year. The theatre section will seat 1,000+ easy.

6. When does registration start?
January at the latest.

Anything else I missed?

-robert

BigRed

Robert Khoo wrote:

2. Three days, huh?
Yes- we'll be moving to a three day, non-24 hour format. A bunch of bad stuff happened in the wee hours of the morning last year, plus we want to promote afterhours parties and such. It'll still be open super late on Friday and Saturday night... 1 or 2 AM at the earliest.

Horray!

Does this mean we get the enforcer "Teams of roaming assholes" to clear everyone out at closing time?

Dog

come on man, dont give red another reason to use his ungodly huge foot on someones a$$ :P

Robert Khoo

<sigh> We will politely remind people that it's closing time... with your foot i suppose if necessary.

-robert

Moriveth

Three days? Schwank!

Red Machine D

I formally request the addition of a beatmania IIDX 10th Style machine to the festivities.

And put it on freeplay.

JoahW

Red Machine D wrote:

I formally request the addition of a beatmania IIDX 10th Style machine to the festivities.

And put it on freeplay.

I don't think theres even a place in the state that has one of these. Theres a place in tacoma with plain Beatmania III 7th mix, but no IIDX.

I say they get a Drummania 8th Mix machine instead.

Red Machine D

JoahW wrote:

Red Machine D wrote:

I formally request the addition of a beatmania IIDX 10th Style machine to the festivities.

And put it on freeplay.

I don't think theres even a place in the state that has one of these. Theres a place in tacoma with plain Beatmania III 7th mix, but no IIDX.

I say they get a Drummania 8th Mix machine instead.

8th? Fuck 8th. 10th is out now, and it's fucking AMAZING.

omgboomlol

Any ideas on where it'll be located this year? I'd really like to attend this time.

JoahW

Red Machine D wrote:

JoahW wrote:

Red Machine D wrote:

I formally request the addition of a beatmania IIDX 10th Style machine to the festivities.

And put it on freeplay.

I don't think theres even a place in the state that has one of these. Theres a place in tacoma with plain Beatmania III 7th mix, but no IIDX.

I say they get a Drummania 8th Mix machine instead.

8th? Fuck 8th. 10th is out now, and it's fucking AMAZING.

If they're going to get any sort of rhythm action game, its likely it will come from a local arcade (like illusionz or narrows plaza) Illuzions has a 6th mix, and Narrows has an 8th mix. IIDX 10th or DM 10th would be very hard to get.

Trust me, I live here.

redstormpopcorn

Red Machine D wrote:

JoahW wrote:

Red Machine D wrote:

I formally request the addition of a beatmania IIDX 10th Style machine to the festivities.

And put it on freeplay.

I don't think theres even a place in the state that has one of these. Theres a place in tacoma with plain Beatmania III 7th mix, but no IIDX.

I say they get a Drummania 8th Mix machine instead.

8th? Fuck 8th. 10th is out now, and it's fucking AMAZING.

You mean 11th, right? :P

Beatmania IIDX RED was released not too long ago in JP arcades.

GT Racer

Whats the reason for having it so late in the summer?
Us college kids usually are just starting our first week of classes that week

Legacy

GT Racer wrote:

Whats the reason for having it so late in the summer?
Us college kids usually are just starting our first week of classes that week

I think it's mostly because there are a ton of other conventions right before it and they would rather pick a free weekend then have to cram a whole ton of stuff in at once.

SoulFury

Would there be any way to move PAX up a few weeks. Those of us on the Semester schedule for College get kind screwed with PAX there in the last week of August.

Even moving it up one week would make a huge difference.

futility

um don't colleges all start at different times?

Red Machine D

redstormpopcorn wrote:

Red Machine D wrote:

JoahW wrote:

Red Machine D wrote:

I formally request the addition of a beatmania IIDX 10th Style machine to the festivities.

And put it on freeplay.

I don't think theres even a place in the state that has one of these. Theres a place in tacoma with plain Beatmania III 7th mix, but no IIDX.

I say they get a Drummania 8th Mix machine instead.

8th? Fuck 8th. 10th is out now, and it's fucking AMAZING.

You mean 11th, right? :P

Beatmania IIDX RED was released not too long ago in JP arcades.

There's a LONG list of songs that has to be on the machine for the D to be pleased. I can totally overlook a lack of Rislim, but without Starmine, I feel..., Last Message, Buffalo, Burning Heat, etc. etc. etc. I won't be a very happy camper.

futility

you should have it in strongbadia. they have population tire

Andwarf

Any chance of a hole in the ground for us cheapos to sleep in?

Barenaked_Enid

SoulFury wrote:

Would there be any way to move PAX up a few weeks. Those of us on the Semester schedule for College get kind screwed with PAX there in the last week of August.

Even moving it up one week would make a huge difference.

But it's perfect for us Canadians! Right after summer parties start to dim down and right before school starts for everyone.

Legacy

Barenaked_Enid wrote:

SoulFury wrote:

Would there be any way to move PAX up a few weeks. Those of us on the Semester schedule for College get kind screwed with PAX there in the last week of August.

Even moving it up one week would make a huge difference.

But it's perfect for us Canadians! Right after summer parties start to dim down and right before school starts for everyone.

Well, that's you Canadians.

Crazy Canadians. Up there in your Canadia.

Red Machine D

I really don't see what the giant fuckin fuss is.

WAAAHHH MAKE IT THE DAYS I DON'T HAVE SCHOOL WAAAAHHHH PUT IT IN MY HOMETOWN WAAAHHHH THIS VENUE SUCKS MAKE IT BIGGER WAAAHHH shut the fuck up already. It's Gabe & Tycho's thing, they'll make the decisions.

It's the 26th through the 28th, they've decided on that because THAT'S WHEN THEY FUCKING WANT IT TO BE. It's going to be in Seattle because THAT'S WHERE THEY FUCKING WANT IT TO BE. If they wanted it in fucking Chula Vista or fucking Red Deer or wherever the fuck you simps want it to be, they'd put it there. Do they? Probably not. It's a sure thing that it's going to be in Seattle. Deal.

Schedule not right for you? Don't fucking go. Go to college or school or fucking GED cram classes or whatever. Big lot of learning you'll be missing out for five or six days, that'll totally ruin your ENTIRE COLLEGE CAREER. Seriously though, how many of you are actually going to be missing enough course material to fuck you completely? Have someone take notes for you and slip 'em a twenty for their troubles while you're in Seattle.

I feel like an inconvenience because I'm demanding certain games be there, and you people have the fucking audacity to bemand a change of the city where it's located and the dates? You all should be fucking ashamed of yourselves.

Legacy

It's called feedback, D. While some of it is annoying, it's good to hear so they can figure out what's best for everyone. :P Sure, some people will be angry about decisions, but feedback is a good thing.

Robert Khoo

There was a discussion on the date selection rationale a bit ago that can be found here.

But the main points were:

1. Yes, we knew that some schools (especially those on the semester system) would conflict with the dates at PAX. But it was the earliest we could make it while still accommodating for point #3.

2. Holiday weekends are suicide for conventions because most families take off during those times... the destination generally decided by their parents.

3. So why'd we choose that date? Easy: Gencon (the weekend before), Wizard World (two weeks before), San Diego Comic-con (four weeks before). Why didn't we choose the "three weeks before?" Well, quite frankly we weren't ready. We were still prepping for everything a few days before the event.

Hopefully that gives you guys some insight as far as the planning- we do apologize to those that couldn't make it tho based on the dates.

-robert

Red Machine D

Legacy wrote:

It's called feedback, D. While some of it is annoying, it's good to hear so they can figure out what's best for everyone. :P Sure, some people will be angry about decisions, but feedback is a good thing.

See, I have zero problem with it being ANYTIME, especially since my job (freelance technician) and school (Rio Salado College general classes) can be put off and resumed at any time. If I wanna go diappear for a few days I can. If I wanna work my ass off 14 hours a day 7 days a week I can. It's the ultimate in flexible. If I were an asshole, I'd tell people to not be so fucking rigid.

...

Hey people, don't be so fucking rigid.

futility

wow, congratulations on being better than everyone else. how does that feel?

Andwarf

it feels pretty damn go-

Oh, you were talking to him. Right, carry on, then.

Red Machine D

Andwarf wrote:

it feels pretty damn go-

Oh, you were talking to him. Right, carry on, then.

and people wonder why i want to hang out with the Canadians at PAX05

Shade

Damn canadians!! I got that cold from one! Them and their Mooses!!


I for one am going to be there... unless I'm dead, that would hinder me a bit.

redstormpopcorn

Red Machine D wrote:

There's a LONG list of songs that has to be on the machine for the D to be pleased. I can totally overlook a lack of Rislim, but without Starmine, I feel..., Last Message, Buffalo, Burning Heat, etc. etc. etc. I won't be a very happy camper.

Excellent point; Starmine's inclusion on Ultramix 2 is one of the things I'm getting an Xbox for. :P

If I wind up going this year, maybe you can give me a lesson in how to not suck at IIDX.

SoulFury

Robert Khoo wrote:

3. So why'd we choose that date? Easy: Gencon (the weekend before), Wizard World (two weeks before), San Diego Comic-con (four weeks before). Why didn't we choose the "three weeks before?" Well, quite frankly we weren't ready. We were still prepping for everything a few days before the event.

Hopefully that gives you guys some insight as far as the planning- we do apologize to those that couldn't make it tho based on the dates.

I totally understand why you guys had it when you did last time as for not being ready but with the coming PAX this next year is there any other reason why you couldn't have it that week after Comic-Con since you obviously have a lot more time to plan and setup the event.

I will still be attending like I did last year but it just seems to me that having it on that empty weekend after Comic-Con would allow more people to attend especially when you have more time to plan the event this year.

Red Machine D

redstormpopcorn wrote:

Red Machine D wrote:

There's a LONG list of songs that has to be on the machine for the D to be pleased. I can totally overlook a lack of Rislim, but without Starmine, I feel..., Last Message, Buffalo, Burning Heat, etc. etc. etc. I won't be a very happy camper.

Excellent point; Starmine's inclusion on Ultramix 2 is one of the things I'm getting an Xbox for. :P

If I wind up going this year, maybe you can give me a lesson in how to not suck at IIDX.

First tip: USE BOTH HANDS.

Grath

SoulFury wrote:

Robert Khoo wrote:

3. So why'd we choose that date? Easy: Gencon (the weekend before), Wizard World (two weeks before), San Diego Comic-con (four weeks before). Why didn't we choose the "three weeks before?" Well, quite frankly we weren't ready. We were still prepping for everything a few days before the event.

Hopefully that gives you guys some insight as far as the planning- we do apologize to those that couldn't make it tho based on the dates.

I totally understand why you guys had it when you did last time as for not being ready but with the coming PAX this next year is there any other reason why you couldn't have it that week after Comic-Con since you obviously have a lot more time to plan and setup the event.

I will still be attending like I did last year but it just seems to me that having it on that empty weekend after Comic-Con would allow more people to attend especially when you have more time to plan the event this year.

:^:

futility

i think a lot of people would be too burnt out by that.

Moriveth

futility wrote:

i think a lot of people would be too burnt out by that.

Since I'm planning to go to both, I know I would be.

Legacy

Moriveth wrote:

futility wrote:

i think a lot of people would be too burnt out by that.

Since I'm planning to go to both, I know I would be.

Yeah.

If PAX was right after Comic Con last year, I wouldn't have been able to go to one of them because I used the time inbetween the two to get more money for PAX.

And after going to them both and having massive amounts of fun, I couldn't imagine missing them both. :P But I don't think I'm going to ComicCon this year, since I've moved. But you never know. If I get this job and keep it, I should have a weeks paid vacation by then...

Robert Khoo

Once we've done this a few more years, we'll have the clout and size to go head-to-head with another con, but for now, yeah, the 26th-28th of August. Pricing info and registration coming soon...

-robert

Red Machine D

What about the beatmania IIDX machine? The Guitar Freaks/Drummania machines? More DDR? ANYTHING?

*spaz*

Robert Khoo

the machines really depend on local availability - it's really goddamn hard to move those things.

Red Machine D

If you need some hired muscle to move those things for the expo, I'll show up a few days early. I've had to move them before, and there's a bit of a trick to it that makes it a whole shitload easier.

QuizMaster

Really? What is that trick?

Red Machine D

QuizMaster wrote:

Really? What is that trick?

1. Stabilise speaker setup
2. Put protective drapings (blankets, comforters, etc.) over screen and inputs
3. Rent a forklift
4. Forklift the fuckin' thing