In 2019 the exhibitor list went out two three weeks before the show; this year I could imagine that exhibitors are waiting until the last possible minute to confirm, and PAX is waiting until the last possible minute so as to minimize last-minute cancellations after the exhibitor list and schedule are published.
I'm starting to question my excitement for this event...I need to stay off of Reddit before everyone's low expectations bring my own down.
My expectations are certainly lower this year (e.g. fewer, mostly indy, exhibitors, pared down schedule, fewer attendees, etc.) but I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out to be quite a bit better than expected and pretty fun anyway regardless of size and scope! The main anti-fun I am fearing is a delta outbreak and/or getting sick.
Wait somehow I missed the 2021 PAX 10 ! So that's 10 exhibitors confirmed at least. :P
Badge letter also says footprint will be smaller (so everything in the WSCC maybe?) and that the Paramount will be the Main Theater. I definitely enjoy the full-scale mega-PAX West, but the idea of having everything in WSCC + Paramount isn't terrible.
They say "We've heard the clamor for space to play with pen, paper and dice, and we're happy to say we're offering a handsome and capacious selection of card, board and cardboard games at this show." I'm not sure whether that means that there's going to be a lot of empty tabletop space in the WSCC along with a game library, or that there will actually be exhibitors there as well, but I guess we'll find out!
It also says "PAX Arena is set to return to the WSCC in a big way." That indicates that the PAX Arena will occupy a lot of the show floor. They confirm there will be a Valorant tournament and say that we should learn to play it (confession: I have never played Valorant.)
The Camp PAX theme is continuing apparently, which I think is fine since I now have an excuse to bust out the merch!
update: noticed Saturday individual badges are sold out though 4-day are still available, which is surprising.
update: noticed Saturday individual badges are sold out though 4-day are still available, which is surprising.
As you might expect, 4 days did sell out first (Tickets went on sale 6/29, 4-days sold out the same day). Then on 7/27, the made more 4-day available, so all options were available again. Then on 8/2 they announced Saturdays were sold out.
My badge is still in "pre-shipment" and I'm getting worried as I leave to start traveling to Seattle this Monday.
When did you get your e-mail notification? They sent me the e-mail on the 20th as pre-shipment, but it was not given to USPS according to the tracking until the 24th. But it's now arriving on the 26th. So once it actually shipped it seems to be going quickly, just took them too long to send it.
While I am saddened not to see Microsoft, Sony or my homies Nintendo taking up space on the show floor map currently, it's not set in stone yet and even if the big 3 aren't there, I'm still hoping for a great show! Maybe I'll finally break out of my shell and interact with more people this time. Make some friends in the free play room. I haven't even looked at the full panel schedule list, so there could be some tourneys or something that I would be interested in. A PAX West is better than no PAX West.
Nfan10039 on
Just a nerd into anything Nintendo, anime, MCU, Star Wars, and board games/card games.
Also a computer scientist and a streamer.
To be fair, there are a few booths in the expo hall that I would really love to check out, and sure that there are some indie game companies in there that have awesome games I don't know about.
Wow it looks like most of the big names are no shows. No Sony, no Microsoft, No Nintendo. No Bethesda, Ubisoft, Valve, Square Enix, Capcom... Actually I'm almost surprised that Bandai Namco is there. Are they the only AAA developer?
Wow it looks like most of the big names are no shows. No Sony, no Microsoft, No Nintendo. No Bethesda, Ubisoft, Valve, Square Enix, Capcom... Actually I'm almost surprised that Bandai Namco is there. Are they the only AAA developer?
Looks that way. What I don't understand is the justification for charging full price for an event that seems like it has the scope of something like Jet City Comicon. Lots of boardgame tourneys though.
My badge is still in "pre-shipment" and I'm getting worried as I leave to start traveling to Seattle this Monday.
When did you get your e-mail notification? They sent me the e-mail on the 20th as pre-shipment, but it was not given to USPS according to the tracking until the 24th. But it's now arriving on the 26th. So once it actually shipped it seems to be going quickly, just took them too long to send it.
Got the e-mail the 20th, "Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS, USPS Awaiting Item" the 23rd, and nothing since. I suppose I'd better send an e-mail.
I was expecting a little more too, but it's still gonna be a good time.
Yeah, the question is would I have just as much fun spending the weekend at home playing Demon's Souls and Final Fantasy... or sleeping.
Regardless of whether I decide to go to West this time, I am now wondering if I should consider making the trip to South or East for the first time ever... At some point there is likely to be an explosion of goodness as the pandemic conditions lift.
Yeah, the question is would I have just as much fun spending the weekend at home playing Demon's Souls and Final Fantasy... or sleeping.
Regardless of whether I decide to go to West this time, I am now wondering if I should consider making the trip to South or East for the first time ever... At some point there is likely to be an explosion of goodness as the pandemic conditions lift.
Honestly can't blame you there. I am really just trying to stay optimistic, but I have to admit I was severely disappointed to see the exhibitor list (though there are some indie games I am very interested in which I hope makes up for it). But I've got the vacation time off, flights, etc, so I'm going to try to make the best of it. Though I still think everyone should get a reduced price/partial refund because the price does not reflect the value we're getting.
Also East seems like it would be the best bet for a big return at this point. Or maybe even West again next year...
+1
bacon_avengerDefender of Pork ProductsPacific NW, USARegistered Userregular
In a way, this is kinda nostalgic, it reminds me a bit of the earlier days of PAX Prime. No olive, no symphony hall, just the buildings around the WSCS.
In a way, this is kinda nostalgic, it reminds me a bit of the earlier days of PAX Prime. No olive, no symphony hall, just the buildings around the WSCS.
Ah, PAX Prime - you knew it was the real deal because of the name! "West" just isn't the same. :P
I've heard people say that East is great because it's all in one building. I expect nearly all of West could fit in the WSCC this year with the possible exception of the main theater (which might fit technically but it wouldn't be as nice.)
I still remember when there was only one PAX, and it was at the Meydenbauer Center. Of course, it wasn't long until it spread to the surrounding motels' conference rooms.
I still remember when there was only one PAX, and it was at the Meydenbauer Center. Of course, it wasn't long until it spread to the surrounding motels' conference rooms.
This is what I remember from the early days, mostly because I didn't attend the first few that were actually in Seattle at the WSCC. But those were the days...
And, yes, Krathoon, there were a lot of dudes there. Videogames didn't have the mainstream penetration in 2005 that they do now so we were all just a bunch of geeks coming together to celebrate our geekdom. That part of PAX has remained true, it's just a much broader audience now.
Posts
My expectations are certainly lower this year (e.g. fewer, mostly indy, exhibitors, pared down schedule, fewer attendees, etc.) but I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out to be quite a bit better than expected and pretty fun anyway regardless of size and scope! The main anti-fun I am fearing is a delta outbreak and/or getting sick.
Badge letter also says footprint will be smaller (so everything in the WSCC maybe?) and that the Paramount will be the Main Theater. I definitely enjoy the full-scale mega-PAX West, but the idea of having everything in WSCC + Paramount isn't terrible.
They say "We've heard the clamor for space to play with pen, paper and dice, and we're happy to say we're offering a handsome and capacious selection of card, board and cardboard games at this show." I'm not sure whether that means that there's going to be a lot of empty tabletop space in the WSCC along with a game library, or that there will actually be exhibitors there as well, but I guess we'll find out!
It also says "PAX Arena is set to return to the WSCC in a big way." That indicates that the PAX Arena will occupy a lot of the show floor. They confirm there will be a Valorant tournament and say that we should learn to play it (confession: I have never played Valorant.)
The Camp PAX theme is continuing apparently, which I think is fine since I now have an excuse to bust out the merch!
update: noticed Saturday individual badges are sold out though 4-day are still available, which is surprising.
I can't post links so here is my attempt at sharing the source:
Twitter: /cerealcam486/status/1429923821721554981
PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAXXXXXXXXXXX!
On a badge-related note, they fixed those abyssal PAX XP stickers - they can now be removed easily and completely!
When did you get your e-mail notification? They sent me the e-mail on the 20th as pre-shipment, but it was not given to USPS according to the tracking until the 24th. But it's now arriving on the 26th. So once it actually shipped it seems to be going quickly, just took them too long to send it.
While I am saddened not to see Microsoft, Sony or my homies Nintendo taking up space on the show floor map currently, it's not set in stone yet and even if the big 3 aren't there, I'm still hoping for a great show! Maybe I'll finally break out of my shell and interact with more people this time. Make some friends in the free play room. I haven't even looked at the full panel schedule list, so there could be some tourneys or something that I would be interested in. A PAX West is better than no PAX West.
Just a nerd into anything Nintendo, anime, MCU, Star Wars, and board games/card games.
Also a computer scientist and a streamer.
PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAXXXXXXXXXXX!
Everyone will be sad and at New Belgium Brewing booth.
Hopefully they have samples.
What if we don't drink alcohol?
Do something else to kill the pain.
Geek Therapeutics?
To be fair, there are a few booths in the expo hall that I would really love to check out, and sure that there are some indie game companies in there that have awesome games I don't know about.
Looks that way. What I don't understand is the justification for charging full price for an event that seems like it has the scope of something like Jet City Comicon. Lots of boardgame tourneys though.
I wonder if that means there will be more Discord and virtual stuff somehow mixed with onsite?
Speaking of Discord, also not listed on expo hall list.
Also not seeing Geico, Facebook or Twitch - I joked about those being there, but even they aren't!
Just a nerd into anything Nintendo, anime, MCU, Star Wars, and board games/card games.
Also a computer scientist and a streamer.
Got the e-mail the 20th, "Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS, USPS Awaiting Item" the 23rd, and nothing since. I suppose I'd better send an e-mail.
Yeah, the question is would I have just as much fun spending the weekend at home playing Demon's Souls and Final Fantasy... or sleeping.
Regardless of whether I decide to go to West this time, I am now wondering if I should consider making the trip to South or East for the first time ever... At some point there is likely to be an explosion of goodness as the pandemic conditions lift.
Honestly can't blame you there. I am really just trying to stay optimistic, but I have to admit I was severely disappointed to see the exhibitor list (though there are some indie games I am very interested in which I hope makes up for it). But I've got the vacation time off, flights, etc, so I'm going to try to make the best of it. Though I still think everyone should get a reduced price/partial refund because the price does not reflect the value we're getting.
Also East seems like it would be the best bet for a big return at this point. Or maybe even West again next year...
I've heard people say that East is great because it's all in one building. I expect nearly all of West could fit in the WSCC this year with the possible exception of the main theater (which might fit technically but it wouldn't be as nice.)
Here is 2005: https://archive.org/details/pax-2005-dvd-set_202105/PAX+2005+Disc+01+-+The+PAX+Experience.iso
I found the DVD from 2004, but it only has the concerts from what I saw. I am sure it is online somewhere though.
The 2005 one seems pretty nerd boy. Allot of dudes.
This is what I remember from the early days, mostly because I didn't attend the first few that were actually in Seattle at the WSCC. But those were the days...
And, yes, Krathoon, there were a lot of dudes there. Videogames didn't have the mainstream penetration in 2005 that they do now so we were all just a bunch of geeks coming together to celebrate our geekdom. That part of PAX has remained true, it's just a much broader audience now.
While being gaming focused, back then it was also primarily just people who read the comic.
https://archive.org/search.php?query=pax 2004
That might have been all that was on the DVD. Thank god we have Twitch now.