The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
GamerDad @ PAX '09
GamerDad
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I have some bad news. For the first time in 3 years, I'm not speaking at PAX.
No panels, no packed halls for my GamerDad speech and no filling in for the ECA's Hal Halpin to talk games and politics despite the fact that GamePolitics.com continues to snub me (hey, email them about that please).
The reason? Two-fold.
One: I've attended proudly for 3 years running.
Two: There's no need for me to continue.
Here's how it all began:
Three years ago I attended E3 on Best Buy's dime. The massive chain was negotiating with me to buy GamerDad.com, my reviews (since sold to WhatTheyLike.com INC), and me for somewhere North of $100,000 plus a salary (that didn't work out, much to my chagrin - I even had a small heart attack about it, thanks Best Buy! Imagine the possibilities indeed!)
Anyway, they sent me to E3 to get my take on it and there I ran into - I literally ran into - Tycho Brahe. Outside the Wii booth and he surprised me by knowing and admiring my site and efforts.(!!!!!) He invited me personally to come to PAX and check it all out. I don't like handouts, its a quirk of mine, so I lobbied to work during the show to justify my presence. I chaired the WOMEN IN GAMES panel, I was on the GAMING AFTER 30 PANEL and I had a great time. It's a wonderful show - you all should make it a point to go some day. It's family friendly, packed with games, and filled with the nicest people I've ever met. I had a BLAST and I'm a veteran of 6 E3s, 8 Gen Cons, 2 Comic Cons, and a lot of other boring cons.
Year Two: saw me arrive on my own dime and I participated in the GAMING AFTER 30 panel, Chaired the ADVERTISING IN GAMES panel, filled in for Hal Halpin of the ECA (last minute) to do a POLITICS & GAMES speech that the ECA was very impressed with, and did a GAMERDAD one-man, one-hour long show. It was standing room only, the crowd went out into the hall. What an audiience! What an honor!
Right after this I had a heart attack and quadruple bypass operation. To say the PA community helped me then, is an understatement I can never convey.
I came back last year to do the GAMERDAD show again, and to thank everyone, including Gabe and Tycho, for all their help, good wishes and support. The show hosted over 500 people in a hard to find but large space and I got a lot of good feedback despite the fact that I spent 30 minutes simply thanking PA for their help to me and my family when I was hospital bound.
Now it's 2009
I feel like my PAX days are over or limited. I hope someone carries on the Family Gaming banner for me and I give them my blessing. Those speeches led directly to my speaking at the National Librarian Conference last year and other opportunities involving the PTA and ESRB. I've spoken to over 5000 non-gamers in the last year ALONE. I'm proud and hope to beat that number next year.
As to why I am less needed? I've given the speech twice now and times have changed. The game industry enjoys much greater acceptance worldwide and the parents coming up know their "shit." My going to PAX is my "preaching to the choir." I can change a lot more hearts and minds - help more parents - by concentrating on speaking before the PTA, Librarians, Police Association, iVillage.com, Disney, etc.,
And that's my goal. To help parents. PAX doesn't need me anymore. The parents there are savvy, smart, commited. I'm proud as punch to be a big part of the first 4 glorious years. I'll treasure that experience and that audience forever but my attention now is aimed at the parents who don't understand our great hobby.
So, to Robert, Amber, Ely, Gabe and Tycho - if those are your real names - thank you. Thanks for signing my shirt. Thanks for caring about my cause and health. Thanks for everything. I'll miss you all this year.
-The GamerDad, Andrew S. Bub
PS:
Thanks Tycho, for the recommend. I'm passing it along to my audience and everyone I meet (including Patricia Vance and other gaming power brokers).
Thanks Gabe for the original artwork on my shirt and for the hug last year man. I still feel that embrace. It meant a lot after what I'd been through. It meant everything. I can never convey what its like to be laid up in a hospital after major surgery, in incredible and constant pain, and sneaking over to the Nurses's station computer to watch as someone like you repeat's my wife's call for donations - and then watch my PayPal account explode with love.
Thanks
No panels, no packed halls for my GamerDad speech and no filling in for the ECA's Hal Halpin to talk games and politics despite the fact that GamePolitics.com continues to snub me (hey, email them about that please).
The reason? Two-fold.
One: I've attended proudly for 3 years running.
Two: There's no need for me to continue.
Here's how it all began:
Three years ago I attended E3 on Best Buy's dime. The massive chain was negotiating with me to buy GamerDad.com, my reviews (since sold to WhatTheyLike.com INC), and me for somewhere North of $100,000 plus a salary (that didn't work out, much to my chagrin - I even had a small heart attack about it, thanks Best Buy! Imagine the possibilities indeed!)
Anyway, they sent me to E3 to get my take on it and there I ran into - I literally ran into - Tycho Brahe. Outside the Wii booth and he surprised me by knowing and admiring my site and efforts.(!!!!!) He invited me personally to come to PAX and check it all out. I don't like handouts, its a quirk of mine, so I lobbied to work during the show to justify my presence. I chaired the WOMEN IN GAMES panel, I was on the GAMING AFTER 30 PANEL and I had a great time. It's a wonderful show - you all should make it a point to go some day. It's family friendly, packed with games, and filled with the nicest people I've ever met. I had a BLAST and I'm a veteran of 6 E3s, 8 Gen Cons, 2 Comic Cons, and a lot of other boring cons.
Year Two: saw me arrive on my own dime and I participated in the GAMING AFTER 30 panel, Chaired the ADVERTISING IN GAMES panel, filled in for Hal Halpin of the ECA (last minute) to do a POLITICS & GAMES speech that the ECA was very impressed with, and did a GAMERDAD one-man, one-hour long show. It was standing room only, the crowd went out into the hall. What an audiience! What an honor!
Right after this I had a heart attack and quadruple bypass operation. To say the PA community helped me then, is an understatement I can never convey.
I came back last year to do the GAMERDAD show again, and to thank everyone, including Gabe and Tycho, for all their help, good wishes and support. The show hosted over 500 people in a hard to find but large space and I got a lot of good feedback despite the fact that I spent 30 minutes simply thanking PA for their help to me and my family when I was hospital bound.
Now it's 2009
I feel like my PAX days are over or limited. I hope someone carries on the Family Gaming banner for me and I give them my blessing. Those speeches led directly to my speaking at the National Librarian Conference last year and other opportunities involving the PTA and ESRB. I've spoken to over 5000 non-gamers in the last year ALONE. I'm proud and hope to beat that number next year.
As to why I am less needed? I've given the speech twice now and times have changed. The game industry enjoys much greater acceptance worldwide and the parents coming up know their "shit." My going to PAX is my "preaching to the choir." I can change a lot more hearts and minds - help more parents - by concentrating on speaking before the PTA, Librarians, Police Association, iVillage.com, Disney, etc.,
And that's my goal. To help parents. PAX doesn't need me anymore. The parents there are savvy, smart, commited. I'm proud as punch to be a big part of the first 4 glorious years. I'll treasure that experience and that audience forever but my attention now is aimed at the parents who don't understand our great hobby.
So, to Robert, Amber, Ely, Gabe and Tycho - if those are your real names - thank you. Thanks for signing my shirt. Thanks for caring about my cause and health. Thanks for everything. I'll miss you all this year.
-The GamerDad, Andrew S. Bub
PS:
Thanks Tycho, for the recommend. I'm passing it along to my audience and everyone I meet (including Patricia Vance and other gaming power brokers).
Thanks Gabe for the original artwork on my shirt and for the hug last year man. I still feel that embrace. It meant a lot after what I'd been through. It meant everything. I can never convey what its like to be laid up in a hospital after major surgery, in incredible and constant pain, and sneaking over to the Nurses's station computer to watch as someone like you repeat's my wife's call for donations - and then watch my PayPal account explode with love.
Thanks
GamerDad on
0
This discussion has been closed.
Posts
While I'm definitely saddened by your absence at this year's expo, I absolutely, 100% stand behind your reasoning, and I wholeheartedly hope that you will continue to speak in the exact types of forums and venues that you describe. I think you're right; you will do more good elsewhere, and you are absolutely needed elsewhere. This is a bold decision on your part, and it speaks volumes about your character and your dedication.
Best wishes and good luck.
Organizer of the Post-PAX Party. You should come!
Satellite Theater for life!
If you seek evidence that it is working, I believe that the continued recognition of video games as a valid form of entertainment, just as literature, movies, music and theatre have been for centuries does nothing but add weight to your and our argument. Video games are here to stay. For a fad does not last almost 40 years!
Look after yourself sir, we the PAX faithful salute you!