Ah, the venue staff. All I can say on this topic is that many comments about their performance have been heard loud and clear by various people involved in organizing and running PAX East.
Along the lines of people not wearing badges, how do you guys normally handle people with fake badges? After the con, someone at my college told me they went to PAX with a fake badge, and promptly pulled it out to display proudly. It was a poorly printed, non-laminated piece of paper, semi-curled up and dull.
I openly displayed my disappointment in them, but soon found out they thought the convention was "boring", so I was glad to hear they somehow managed to not have an amazing time. Still though, if they pulled this off, I can only imagine others did the same.
Sad to hear that a few folks had to be bad apples, but honestly, I sort of expect a handful in that size of a crowd. Inevitably (and sadly), there's always going to be a few asshats out there who are going to take advantage of situations. I didn't notice much of the swag related kind, but then I avoided most of the crazy tossing out of stuff. Oddly enough, in a wheelchair, chances are slim and none of catching anything and I'm more worried about some fool tripping over me because, with my luck, I'd be hurt a lot worse by that act then them. It is kind of amazing how much people sounded like they were fighting over a $5 T-shirt, though. I'd say it was because the overall swag level was low, but it's just not a valid excuse. Seriously, if someone is that hard up for a T-shirt, just buy one.
gilby123 on
"Where would we be without the agitators of the
world attaching the electrodes of knowledge to the nipples
of ignorance?" - John Lithgow, 3rd Rock from the Sun
I heard a few high hats going on about "cardboard" badges, but never actually saw any in use - now I'm no narc but PAX has been good enough to me that I'd have gladly pointed out anything funny I saw. The Enforcers are numerous but still finite; I'd say we owe it to those fine cats to be vigilant.
I had my badge on a lanyard but kept it in my shirt pocket most of the time. Only got asked to show it a couple of times. The only time one of the venue staff asked me to show it was 1pm on the Friday *boggle*.
I had my badge on a lanyard but kept it in my shirt pocket most of the time. Only got asked to show it a couple of times. The only time one of the venue staff asked me to show it was 1pm on the Friday *boggle*.
I was surprised by this as well. The MCAA security at the front doors didn't check badges nor did I see anyone walking around the Hynes checking badges. I didn't see anyone without a badge, but I did see a lot of people with the text side of their badge facing forward.
Perhaps there should be Enforcers at the front doors checking badges as well as Badge Enforcers wandering the convention center next year checking badges?
Perhaps there should be Enforcers at the front doors checking badges as well as Badge Enforcers wandering the convention center next year checking badges?
The former was implemented, after a fashion, when it became clear badge checking wasn't being done to the standards we expected. Unfortunately, we were very short on Enforcer numbers for East, so this wasn't as foolproof as it could have been. As for the latter - well, really all Enforcers are 'Badge Enforcers'. But there was a limited amount that could be done - people could be told to leave, but often Enforcers couldn't leave their area to escort the person out (see above re: undermanning). Again, these issues are under consideration for next time.
I want this person to server HARD TIME. It was an epic fail.
He needs to be made an example of. If others do what he did many developers might start doing things only behind closed doors. I want everything to say open and friendly.
If this one bad apple is shown that what he did is NOT allowed and he is punished for it, then others will think it was a bad idea and not do it.
In addition to all this stuff going on, there was also an incident that happened without getting caught. A couple of guys stole multiple sumos and were selling them outside the convention center. The only way I knew about this is because I knew one of the guys. Anyways, I already talked to Khoo about that matter. I think the reason why East has been a little more hectic is because the enforcers seemed to have a lot less help from convention staff as they do at prime. For example, my girlfriend kept forgetting to wear her 3 day pass, but nobody said anything until sunday. I also saw many other people who also weren't wearing their badges.. :S
There are a lot more enforcers on the floor than convention center staff. The convention center staff were mostly bag check, janitorial and security. They aren't there to run the con, that's up to PA to staff and they do so with Enforcers. When you go to the Hynes they provide you with check-in staff or things like that, they can direct you to temp agencies where you can hire people for that or you can go volunteer.
I understand that, but at PAX Prime, it is the convention center staff that is in charge of checking for badges. They usually stand by the escalators and doors, and don't let people in who dont have a visible pass. I didn't see this happen at East, and even then, there was only a couple of convention staff at the bottom of the escalator.
I saw them asking for badges a couple times but not enough to really enforce anything. I did find it amusing when the security woman asked for this dude to show his badge when he was wearing one of those orange star wars pilot hoodies with the hood + goggles up.
Yeah, that is epic fail, while it was still very much in the minority, I did notice an increase of asshattery at PAX East, vs. PAX west.
Like on the expo floor, some big black dude totally smoked a skinny little Asian kid, knocked his glasses off and stuff, going for a t-shirt he had gotten one of like 30 seconds before. Instead of apologizing, he told the kid to shut up and stop being a little bitch.
Are you sure that it was a big black dude? One of my friends that I went with explained a VERY similar situation that happened to him. He said a black lady knocked his glasses off when he caught a shirt. She got the shirt and saw that it was too big for her, so she threw it on the ground. She never even apologized to him.
Ah, the venue staff. All I can say on this topic is that many comments about their performance have been heard loud and clear by various people involved in organizing and running PAX East.
The venue staff were a flock of silly geese, to put it lightly.
Not a very friendly bunch, if you ask me.
TheGreat2nd on
I'm Jacob Wilson. | facebook | thegreat2nd | [url="aim:goim?screenname=TheGreatSecond&message=Hello+from+the+Penny+Arcade+Forums!"]aim[/url]
Yeah, that is epic fail, while it was still very much in the minority, I did notice an increase of asshattery at PAX East, vs. PAX west.
Like on the expo floor, some big black dude totally smoked a skinny little Asian kid, knocked his glasses off and stuff, going for a t-shirt he had gotten one of like 30 seconds before. Instead of apologizing, he told the kid to shut up and stop being a little bitch.
Are you sure that it was a big black dude? One of my friends that I went with explained a VERY similar situation that happened to him. He said a black lady knocked his glasses off when he caught a shirt. She got the shirt and saw that it was too big for her, so she threw it on the ground. She never even apologized to him.
Uh it could've been a lady I guess, very deep voice though. Though this person went beyond not apologizing, and actually berated the individual that had been smote.
Yeah, that is epic fail, while it was still very much in the minority, I did notice an increase of asshattery at PAX East, vs. PAX west.
Like on the expo floor, some big black dude totally smoked a skinny little Asian kid, knocked his glasses off and stuff, going for a t-shirt he had gotten one of like 30 seconds before. Instead of apologizing, he told the kid to shut up and stop being a little bitch.
Are you sure that it was a big black dude? One of my friends that I went with explained a VERY similar situation that happened to him. He said a black lady knocked his glasses off when he caught a shirt. She got the shirt and saw that it was too big for her, so she threw it on the ground. She never even apologized to him.
Uh it could've been a lady I guess, very deep voice though. Though this person went beyond not apologizing, and actually berated the individual that had been smote.
Hm, guess it was just very similar events. It's ridiculous the way people will act to obtain some free merchandise.
Hm, guess it was just very similar events. It's ridiculous the way people will act to obtain some free merchandise.
Yep...mostly why I avoided any of the big crowds clamoring for swag and why, honestly, I'd sort of like to see a rule in place not to throw out shirts/swag like that. It leads to events like this and it makes people mill about in the aisles, making it a royal pain to get by (particularly in a wheelchair, as I was). I really liked how a lot of places were doing the silent raffles in that respect. Post the numbers drawn daily around 3-4, let people come back and check tickets on their own time. Beats a mess of people clogging aisles trying to hear numbers being yelled.
gilby123 on
"Where would we be without the agitators of the
world attaching the electrodes of knowledge to the nipples
of ignorance?" - John Lithgow, 3rd Rock from the Sun
Honestly, you may have a point Gilby, there was not a whole lot of throwing swag at the last PAX Prime, a few booths did, but for the most part there was tons of it, so they just formed lines and handed it out.
i like the excitement of getting a shirt/swag tossed to you
but it does suck when my short ass JUMPS in the air to catch a shirt and a huge dude snags it from me by sheer force. like, we were temporarily fighting over a fucking shirt for a game i'll probably never play. i like free stuff but not that much
i like the excitement of getting a shirt/swag tossed to you
but it does suck when my short ass JUMPS in the air to catch a shirt and a huge dude snags it from me by sheer force. like, we were temporarily fighting over a fucking shirt for a game i'll probably never play. i like free stuff but not that much
I think that's part of the issue/point with those kinds of giveaways, though, is to work the crowd up like that. And that leads to more and more people clogging the walkways clamoring for T-shirts or whatever they're giving out.
gilby123 on
"Where would we be without the agitators of the
world attaching the electrodes of knowledge to the nipples
of ignorance?" - John Lithgow, 3rd Rock from the Sun
I saw the article posted my Kotaku on Facebook... It shocked me that something that crazy happened... and I didn't get to see it :_:
@Lethardicus- As an Asian girl (who used to wear glasses but got Lasik and now doesn't) I feel your pain. But you just have to develop thick skin for it. And getting bullied at a fun, kick ass convention like PAX is quite uncalled for. If you ever have to fight anyone I got your back
Perhaps there should be Enforcers at the front doors checking badges as well as Badge Enforcers wandering the convention center next year checking badges?
The former was implemented, after a fashion, when it became clear badge checking wasn't being done to the standards we expected. Unfortunately, we were very short on Enforcer numbers for East, so this wasn't as foolproof as it could have been. As for the latter - well, really all Enforcers are 'Badge Enforcers'. But there was a limited amount that could be done - people could be told to leave, but often Enforcers couldn't leave their area to escort the person out (see above re: undermanning). Again, these issues are under consideration for next time.
I had my badge checked once, when I was getting onto an escalator. Ironically, that was the single 10 minute span in the entire 3 days when I was with someone without a badge (I had lunch with a sorority sister living in boston and figured hey, walking her through the convention center hall to see how awesome PAX is wouldn't really be a problem. On a side note, she now has a much higher opinion of video games and those who play them.)
Apparently, by my having a badge, it meant the person with me totally must have, since she didn't actually seem to care once she saw mine. It was odd. Really I think she looked at my friend's Burberry coat and scarf combo, my semi-normal clothes (I changed for lunch) and assumed we'd missed the turn for the mall.
But really, who checks badges while someone is stepping on to an escalator? That just isn't safe.
moranin on
If you spend your entire life just watching, you'll never develop the stuff to live it. - Warren Ellis.
Fellow Enforcers and Attendees, lets not all rag on the venue staff here. It is hard for any venue staff to accurately gauge the magnitude of PAX in its first year at a new location, doubly so being on a completely different side of the country. They were able to adapt to the insanity that is PAX fairly well, and I am glad for their presence.
JediFreeman on
PAX Enforcer - Lieutenant
0
Kilonum[E]Somewhere near BostonRegistered Userregular
Fellow Enforcers and Attendees, lets not all rag on the venue staff here. It is hard for any venue staff to accurately gauge the magnitude of PAX in its first year at a new location, doubly so being on a completely different side of the country. They were able to adapt to the insanity that is PAX fairly well, and I am glad for their presence.
Kinda hard not to rag on them when I saw one security guy more concerned with the text message he was sending than the crowd.
I agree, JediFreeman. Although staff seemed overwhelmed the first day, I was impressed that the venue staff got it together very well by the last day. Considering how huge PAX is, I think it went off very well!
And to mrt144 who said, "People in Boston are just inherently more jerky"... *sticks tongue out at you* I think *I'm* pretty nice.
Posts
I openly displayed my disappointment in them, but soon found out they thought the convention was "boring", so I was glad to hear they somehow managed to not have an amazing time. Still though, if they pulled this off, I can only imagine others did the same.
At PAX East this year, well... Let us just say that we unfortunately didn't have Greencoats. Next year it should be a little different.
world attaching the electrodes of knowledge to the nipples
of ignorance?" - John Lithgow, 3rd Rock from the Sun
metroidmetal.com
I was surprised by this as well. The MCAA security at the front doors didn't check badges nor did I see anyone walking around the Hynes checking badges. I didn't see anyone without a badge, but I did see a lot of people with the text side of their badge facing forward.
Perhaps there should be Enforcers at the front doors checking badges as well as Badge Enforcers wandering the convention center next year checking badges?
"Next on Dog the Bounty Hunter" ?
I want this person to server HARD TIME. It was an epic fail.
He needs to be made an example of. If others do what he did many developers might start doing things only behind closed doors. I want everything to say open and friendly.
If this one bad apple is shown that what he did is NOT allowed and he is punished for it, then others will think it was a bad idea and not do it.
I saw them asking for badges a couple times but not enough to really enforce anything. I did find it amusing when the security woman asked for this dude to show his badge when he was wearing one of those orange star wars pilot hoodies with the hood + goggles up.
Are you sure that it was a big black dude? One of my friends that I went with explained a VERY similar situation that happened to him. He said a black lady knocked his glasses off when he caught a shirt. She got the shirt and saw that it was too big for her, so she threw it on the ground. She never even apologized to him.
The venue staff were a flock of silly geese, to put it lightly.
Not a very friendly bunch, if you ask me.
I'm Jacob Wilson. | facebook | thegreat2nd | [url="aim:goim?screenname=TheGreatSecond&message=Hello+from+the+Penny+Arcade+Forums!"]aim[/url]
Uh it could've been a lady I guess, very deep voice though. Though this person went beyond not apologizing, and actually berated the individual that had been smote.
Hm, guess it was just very similar events. It's ridiculous the way people will act to obtain some free merchandise.
Yep...mostly why I avoided any of the big crowds clamoring for swag and why, honestly, I'd sort of like to see a rule in place not to throw out shirts/swag like that. It leads to events like this and it makes people mill about in the aisles, making it a royal pain to get by (particularly in a wheelchair, as I was). I really liked how a lot of places were doing the silent raffles in that respect. Post the numbers drawn daily around 3-4, let people come back and check tickets on their own time. Beats a mess of people clogging aisles trying to hear numbers being yelled.
world attaching the electrodes of knowledge to the nipples
of ignorance?" - John Lithgow, 3rd Rock from the Sun
but it does suck when my short ass JUMPS in the air to catch a shirt and a huge dude snags it from me by sheer force. like, we were temporarily fighting over a fucking shirt for a game i'll probably never play. i like free stuff but not that much
I think that's part of the issue/point with those kinds of giveaways, though, is to work the crowd up like that. And that leads to more and more people clogging the walkways clamoring for T-shirts or whatever they're giving out.
world attaching the electrodes of knowledge to the nipples
of ignorance?" - John Lithgow, 3rd Rock from the Sun
@Lethardicus- As an Asian girl (who used to wear glasses but got Lasik and now doesn't) I feel your pain. But you just have to develop thick skin for it. And getting bullied at a fun, kick ass convention like PAX is quite uncalled for. If you ever have to fight anyone I got your back
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&ref=ts&gid=27408591616
^PAX EAST 2010
I had my badge checked once, when I was getting onto an escalator. Ironically, that was the single 10 minute span in the entire 3 days when I was with someone without a badge (I had lunch with a sorority sister living in boston and figured hey, walking her through the convention center hall to see how awesome PAX is wouldn't really be a problem. On a side note, she now has a much higher opinion of video games and those who play them.)
Apparently, by my having a badge, it meant the person with me totally must have, since she didn't actually seem to care once she saw mine. It was odd. Really I think she looked at my friend's Burberry coat and scarf combo, my semi-normal clothes (I changed for lunch) and assumed we'd missed the turn for the mall.
But really, who checks badges while someone is stepping on to an escalator? That just isn't safe.
Kinda hard not to rag on them when I saw one security guy more concerned with the text message he was sending than the crowd.
And to mrt144 who said, "People in Boston are just inherently more jerky"... *sticks tongue out at you* I think *I'm* pretty nice.