PAX + Kids + Tickets = Questions

mwesterhold

Searched but couldn't find--may not have been asked, but I most likely fail at forums. Sorry if a repost.


For those of us bringing the kids--where the does the need a ticket bar fall? $30 for a 4 year old is kinda steep.

I've been looking for the 'kids under ___ are free' but haven't found. Anybody know?

KaitouAyashi

Every person (man, woman, child, toddler, infant, etc) attending needs a pass from what I understand. Also, word on the street is that PAX isn't terribly kid-friendly.

MagicallyStupid

It honestly isn't, last year the youngest person I saw looked about 16/17. There's a lot of people swearing, and it's just honestly one of those things you should bring someone under 13 into.

mavrick88

Im only 14 but this is my 3rd year at PAX and it isn't for the little kids. Its more for like middle schoolers To high schoolers since they are around swearing a lot and are use to it.

TrainwreckX

That being said, if the 4-year-old already has a potty-mouth, they will fit right in. Of course I'm just kidding

Yeah, just know there is no real regulation (to my knowledge) about language in the event. Behavior, that's another thing. I know Enforcers won't deal with riff-raff.

Personally, if your kids are well-behaved and won't detract from the panels, tournaments, and other events which require some amount of silence and good behavior, I don't see any issue with bringing them myself. I personally think kids are cool, and I'm down as long as they are pretty mature.

xxhennersxx

seriously, another kid? Dude this is a convention, it's big, crowded, loud, and your kid is going ot get pissed off, you're going to piss other people off...

mavrick88

I agree with henner and trainwreck, your kid might get pissed and might cause problems if your near something were they want silence. Especially during the omegathon.

GamerDad

I wouldn't call PAX kid-friendly but that doesn't stop some people.

It has become a lot more "parent friendly" though and I'm not just saying that because I'm a Guest Speaker and am bringing my "Gaming with Children" speech to PAX (Sunday, 3:00, Room C, non-parents more than welcome).

GeeCee

Put the $30 towards a babysitter.

defaultprophet

Little Gabe seemed to have a good time at the Omegathon Finals. Then again, he probably had all of Mike's gaming knowledge passed on to him by some sort of genetic memory imprint. You know, like how a baby crocodile knows how to hunt from birth.

Moe Fwacky

I believe Little Gabe also had an army of enforcers making sure nothing happened to him.

TychoCelchuuu

And at that age I don't think he's quite ready to start repeating stuff like "fucking" and "cock."

Shauk

as long as the kid doesn't have a problem with being on his feet for 8 hours straight or not being able to see past the ass level of thousands of people in his way, then sure, you could call it kid friendly. but yeah I donno about the kids for free thing

Officer

Hah! Found it! I hereby refer you to this thread started a while ago regarding a very similar issue.

http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=25181

strebalicious

I brought my six year old last year on Saturday. He didn't seem to do to bad. Didn't hear a lot of the language, but since I am a sailor, he's pretty used to curse words and knows not to say them. We went to the comic panel and he sat calmly for (most of) it. The only issue was the Exhibition Hall. I had to put him on my shoulders for most of it since (a) he couldn't see anything, and (b) it was way too crowded and I didn't want him getting lost. Otherwise, he had plenty of fun. He even showed some guys how to play Burnout and we picked up Eets for him.

mwesterhold

Thanks for all the good thoughts. This will be my 3rd PAX so I'm used to the environment and my son knows that 'flaming a$$ fu**' is a bad word so I'm pretty good there as well. The challenge is that I am cheap--and $30 for a 4 year old is a bit steep. I'll just take Saturday and go to the park. *shiver* outside *shiver*.

Nadinechanz

2 years ago, I brought my then 10 year old to his first PAX only for the Sunday afternoon portion. He loved it. Last year, I brought him for all 3 days, as well as his 6 year old brother. I was able to get my youngest in for free, cause we all knew he wouldn't be playing anything on any of the machines. Yet, he still had a great time, and is looking forward to another year. My oldest entered a GWAR tournament and ended up making it to the final round with his group. I believe he was even quoted in one of these boards, some time after PAX '06 was over, on how he wasted 2 or 3 opposing players in the tournament.8-)

In case anyone was wondering why I bring my kids, my partner of 14 years is disabled, and cannot take care of them for hours at a time without risking serious injury.

Dreamwriter

strebalicious wrote: »

The only issue was the Exhibition Hall. I had to put him on my shoulders for most of it since (a) he couldn't see anything, and (b) it was way too crowded and I didn't want him getting lost. Otherwise, he had plenty of fun. He even showed some guys how to play Burnout and we picked up Eets for him.

Yeah, keep in mind size-wise, the exhibition hall is geared for adults - even the DS demo machines. And one of the more crowded parts of PAX. So if you're hoping to leave the younguns there while you go to the "The Love/Hate Relationship Between Devs and Pubs" panel that the kids would be totally bored at, think again

PAX_Virgin2007

Swearing is becoming less of a deal.. nowadays. Im 16 and i have teachers that swear often and dont mind it in class, depending on the text its used in. And playing xbox live, there are alot of 12/13 year olds swearing and occasionally a 9 year old swearing. Im not saying by any means that swearing is good, but that shouldn't keep someone from bringing a child. Everyone is raised different though so its just my opinion.

futility

DO NOT LET YOUR CHILDREN GO INTO PICTOCHAT.
DO NOT!

KaitouAyashi

When it comes to live music, there's a reason some people don't go to all-ages shows.

I'm sure YOU'RE an attentive, dependable, loving parent who will be responsible for their child. But there are many many many people who are not and will not. That's when things go bad.

North

It's a really bad idea to bring kids to PAX

KaitouAyashi

GamerDad wrote: »

I wouldn't call PAX kid-friendly but that doesn't stop some people.

It has become a lot more "parent friendly" though and I'm not just saying that because I'm a Guest Speaker and am bringing my "Gaming with Children" speech to PAX (Sunday, 3:00, Room C, non-parents more than welcome).

I think it would be interesting to hear your girlfriends/wives' perspective during the panel. Maybe next year have couples/partners participate.

slacktron

Nadinechanz wrote: »

My oldest entered a GWAR tournament and ended up making it to the final round with his group.

Just out of curiosity, did he play as Odorous Urungus, Flattus Maximus, or Balsac the Jaws of Death?

Watching a GWAR tournament sounds like fun, but I'd hate to have to sit in the first row.

Icithis

GamerDad wrote: »

I wouldn't call PAX kid-friendly but that doesn't stop some people.

It has become a lot more "parent friendly" though and I'm not just saying that because I'm a Guest Speaker and am bringing my "Gaming with Children" speech to PAX (Sunday, 3:00, Room C, non-parents more than welcome).

I think it was the last PAX I was at (possible Sakura-Con, individual panels get muddled) where there was something similar, and it was one of the worst panels I have ever witnessed. For the 30 minutes I was there, all I heard talk of was how the panelists would sneak around their wives and play whatever they wanted, followed by talking down about the women they've married and their 'lesser' taste in video games. It was horrific. I think panels like these seriously need some panelists from the other end of the spectrum, maybe a couple kids who are in their early teens or something to offset the balance.

Lewis99207

North wrote: »

It's a really bad idea to bring kids to PAX

Is this because the mass of teenagers there are dickwads with no manners?

Icithis

Haven't been to PAX before? I find that it's because most parents actually believe their child somehow has a right to act like a little terror, and take no responsibility for these actions.

Samyel

Lewis99207 wrote: »

North wrote: »

It's a really bad idea to bring kids to PAX

Is this because the mass of teenagers there are dickwads with no manners?

This is because there is nothing at PAX aimed towards children. It's an event for adults, albeit often young ones. It's also an overwhelming event at times for the best of us; adding a screaming toddler isn't going to make you very many friends. And it should be noted that male teenagers, which are probably PAX's leading demographic, aren't renown for their patience with little kids.

I'm a bit biased, as I really don't like little kids, and the idea of a shrieking toddler being toted around PAX gives me a headache. If there are kids at PAX, the only way they're not going to be an annoyance is if they're fully engaged/entertained by their guardian, and removed from the event when they get cranky.

Dreamwriter

Are male teenagers really PAX's leading demographic? Maybe I dunno about Penny Arcade, but the average video gamer is 30 years old.

BigRed

Dreamwriter wrote: »

Are male teenagers really PAX's leading demographic? Maybe I dunno about Penny Arcade, but the average video gamer is 30 years old.

I recall hearing somewhere the average age of people at PAX was 26 or so.

Sl1pstream

I'd rather spend a day among little kids than male teenagers. Other than that, there's no place to "dump" your child. If you're bringing him and (s)he misbehaves the first day, you're stuck with him/her for the entire weekend.

Samyel

BigRed wrote: »

Dreamwriter wrote: »

Are male teenagers really PAX's leading demographic? Maybe I dunno about Penny Arcade, but the average video gamer is 30 years old.

I recall hearing somewhere the average age of people at PAX was 26 or so.

I find this heartening, and hope that you're correct. :P

Lewis99207

Icithis wrote: »

Haven't been to PAX before? I find that it's because most parents actually believe their child somehow has a right to act like a little terror, and take no responsibility for these actions.

This is my first PAX. I've been to GenCon four times and the kids i've ran into there, in tournaments or at demos, always seem to be better behaved than most kids I see at the mall. Usaully polite and disciplined not to grab at all the cool stuff on the exhibitors tables.

jonxp

Yeah, I'm not going partially because I wouldn't want to attempt the plane ride with my one year old, much less expose her to the dark seedy underside of gaming. But I really hope PAX is still around in a few years if she ends up being a gamer like me.

KaitouAyashi

Icithis wrote: »

GamerDad wrote: »

I wouldn't call PAX kid-friendly but that doesn't stop some people.

It has become a lot more "parent friendly" though and I'm not just saying that because I'm a Guest Speaker and am bringing my "Gaming with Children" speech to PAX (Sunday, 3:00, Room C, non-parents more than welcome).

I think it was the last PAX I was at (possible Sakura-Con, individual panels get muddled) where there was something similar, and it was one of the worst panels I have ever witnessed. For the 30 minutes I was there, all I heard talk of was how the panelists would sneak around their wives and play whatever they wanted, followed by talking down about the women they've married and their 'lesser' taste in video games. It was horrific. I think panels like these seriously need some panelists from the other end of the spectrum, maybe a couple kids who are in their early teens or something to offset the balance.

See, *that* is what I'm afraid of: a panel that basically tells a room full of guys to screw over their wife/partner/family by abdicating their fair share of labor in running a household so they can "find time" to game. Or ,"How to pawn adult responsibilities onto someone else for your own selfish pleasures" with their partners being the ultimate losers. Which sucks for all parties involved.

It's weird b/c I only think like that b/c the panel is full of guys/men/fathers. Anyone with a demanding full time career (after college) and a partner could be on the panel, right?

Shauk

I think the irony of it all is that these panelists have CAREERS in the video game industry, their families owe it to them to let them make time to play games otherwise their families would be eating giveaways at the food bank, Penny-Arcade is a contributor to charities and yet you know, they could be considered "bad guys" if they want to make time for their passion, their dedication, to gaming.

"A panel that tells a room full of guys to screw over thier wife/partner/family" is such crap and you know it, or maybe you don't if you haven't actually been to the panel.

maybe this strikes a sore spot with me but if I had a passion for something and my "wife/partner/family" had a cow over me pursuing that, i'd be intolerant of it because they would have known what they were getting into when they stepped on the boat with me. Especially if it's putting a roof over thier heads, food in thier mouths, and enabling them to work less, or not at all.

leaf

Icithis wrote: »

GamerDad wrote: »

I wouldn't call PAX kid-friendly but that doesn't stop some people.

It has become a lot more "parent friendly" though and I'm not just saying that because I'm a Guest Speaker and am bringing my "Gaming with Children" speech to PAX (Sunday, 3:00, Room C, non-parents more than welcome).

I think it was the last PAX I was at (possible Sakura-Con, individual panels get muddled) where there was something similar, and it was one of the worst panels I have ever witnessed. For the 30 minutes I was there, all I heard talk of was how the panelists would sneak around their wives and play whatever they wanted, followed by talking down about the women they've married and their 'lesser' taste in video games. It was horrific. I think panels like these seriously need some panelists from the other end of the spectrum, maybe a couple kids who are in their early teens or something to offset the balance.

Only panel I wish I had seen was the one where the guys from alpha shade essentially called other webcomic creators that are 'trying to break into the business' as lazy, and not doing the necessary work, but still wanting the success, when some voiced complaints that they weren't getting the attention they deserved. Laffo.

Icithis

Shauk wrote: »

I think the irony of it all is that these panelists have CAREERS in the video game industry, their families owe it to them to let them make time to play games otherwise their families would be eating giveaways at the food bank, Penny-Arcade is a contributor to charities and yet you know, they could be considered "bad guys" if they want to make time for their passion, their dedication, to gaming.

"A panel that tells a room full of guys to screw over thier wife/partner/family" is such crap and you know it, or maybe you don't if you haven't actually been to the panel.

I seriously don't want to turn this into an argument, so I'll say this once: it is not the action which I am judging, it is the reasoning behind it. There is a considerable difference between passion and the excuses these men put up. I believe in honesty more than anything, and found what they were doing to be quite the opposite; it was not passion that drove them, it was their own selfish desires for what they wanted to do, and left little to no consideration for much else.

I agree with your comments about passion for one's line of work, and the necessity for sacrifice. I would also assume that you understand the bad taste that is left in your mouth when you realize you are witnessing someone bragging to you about how good they are at ignoring their family to do as they please.

Shauk

Icithis wrote: »

Shauk wrote: »

I think the irony of it all is that these panelists have CAREERS in the video game industry, their families owe it to them to let them make time to play games otherwise their families would be eating giveaways at the food bank, Penny-Arcade is a contributor to charities and yet you know, they could be considered "bad guys" if they want to make time for their passion, their dedication, to gaming.

"A panel that tells a room full of guys to screw over thier wife/partner/family" is such crap and you know it, or maybe you don't if you haven't actually been to the panel.

I seriously don't want to turn this into an argument, so I'll say this once: it is not the action which I am judging, it is the reasoning behind it. There is a considerable difference between passion and the excuses these men put up. I believe in honesty more than anything, and found what they were doing to be quite the opposite; it was not passion that drove them, it was their own selfish desires for what they wanted to do, and left little to no consideration for much else.

I agree with your comments about passion for one's line of work, and the necessity for sacrifice. I would also assume that you understand the bad taste that is left in your mouth when you realize you are witnessing someone bragging to you about how good they are at ignoring their family to do as they please.

yeah im not a fan of argument, but considering this stuff gets video taped and plastered all over the internet I'm not really going to buy that these guys are being serious about putting down the people they chose to spend thier lives with. If anything it's probably false bravado to show off thier epeen on how far they've come in the industry compared to those who let thier home lives overtake thier professional lives.

chances are, if they are giggling while they say something, its called a joke. I'm more than willing to attend the panel this year if we want to see just what kind of content this panel will contain.

I just think it's in poor taste to hold some other panel against those attending this one.

KaitouAyashi

I thought I made it clear that I hadn't attended any panel and was wondering why no GamerMoms or their girlfriends/partners weren't on the panel since it's supposed to be about Finding Time to Game in a Busy Adult Life. This panel is all guys...which doesn't make any sense to me at all as it only tells one side of the story.

Secondly, even today women still perform the majority of "housework" within a committed relationship. So are they blowing off family/parent/household responsibilities to game more and leaving them to the wife/gf/partner? If so, is this panel them gloating about it to a large group of young guys? I dunno, and a guy who is on the panel was here - so I expressed my concerns just in case he'd never thought of it.
[Sidebar: Even after your job/career there's still WORK to do at home. You don't get a pass b/c you have a job. Even one you're passionate about!] It's a serious issue with hard, honest, questions and it would be a shame to miss out on an opportunity to teach gamers about real life balance.

Also, the info I read didn't include anyone's credentials - only names. So I didn' t know whether they had an actual bonafide career in the industry or not.

I then expressed concern that the panel would be like the one the other guy witnessed.

Please don't put words/meaning/intention into my mouth. Ask for clarification before you attack.

Shauk

honestly, does it surprise you that it's all guys? Gaming is still a male dominated industry. Fragdolls aside (what a joke) your average female, even 20 years (give or take) later after household gaming was starting to take off, doesn't give much of a crap about the game industry.


Thats sad to me, but oh well, thats the truth of it.