Storing stuff in BYOC is safer than on the show floor :P But if you have anything thats super duper valuable that can be easily moved id store it in the hotel room. We only track laptops, desktops, and monitors.
Yes there are people there right up until close There were about 40 people we had to kick out at closing every day at PAX east and Prime. Plus BYOC is on the same network as PC freeplay so theres always people to play with.
Thanks for the info! Just wondered about if buying a BYOC badge for my cousin would take away from someone else who might use the space, but I guess it'll be more worth it to have a space away from the crowds if needed.
I'm leaning towards it with a laptop for next year,t hen! (With a laptop lock, of course!)
I've always been curious over the BYOC area. The thought that people have lugged their desktops across the country to play in a LAN whilst a gaming expo to end all gaming expos is happening around them could be construed as a little odd. My argument is that the same can be said to those who play AD&D throughout PAX.
As for me participating in BYOC at PAX, that's never going to happen thanks to living in the UK. Even if I were to manage to get my PC to the US I would have to use step-up transformers to bring the voltage up to 240v in order to power everything. Not really practical. I'll wait for Euro-PAX for my BYOC experience, should it ever materialise.
I've found that the optimal use for BYOC is as a place to relax for a moment while still being in the social atmosphere of PAX itself. (basically what JonXP said, he's right on about it )
In the two years I've done BYOC, I've found that I'll play games on an "as desired" basis... the first year, I got in a couple of games in between doing things at PAX if I just needed a minute, and this year I didn't have time to really play at all... but both years, I found it invaluable for having a place to securely house things needed for various activities.
I've found that the optimal use for BYOC is as a place to relax for a moment while still being in the social atmosphere of PAX itself. (basically what JonXP said, he's right on about it )
In the two years I've done BYOC, I've found that I'll play games on an "as desired" basis... the first year, I got in a couple of games in between doing things at PAX if I just needed a minute, and this year I didn't have time to really play at all... but both years, I found it invaluable for having a place to securely house things needed for various activities.
I feel exactly the same way. I would highly recommend BYOC to anyone. At Prime I spent a lot of time in there playing games with people. This year I maybe spent a total of an hour outside the initial setup time, but it was well worth it. It's a great place to put your stuff, to relax if the crowds start to get to you, and to meet up with your friends if (when) you get separated.
Big Red and his team did a great job. The loot and the space was worth the cost by itself. I will without a doubt be back next year for PAX east and in the BYOC room. The problem is there is so much to do that I was contantly pulled in multiple directions. I can't say enough good things about the event and the enforcers. Well done to all.
If I bring my laptop to BYOC, can I bring a friend into the BYOC area to show them said laptop? Or are only registered BYOC attendees allowed into the BYOC area?
capnjack on
Q: "You are in the garden. You see a rose bush. You have a fishing rod. Exits are North, South and IN."
A: "What do you want from me?!?!?"
If its deemed warranted (someone looking for something, a short delivery, etc) exceptions are made with an enforcer escort but thats it.
BigRed on
<MoeFwacky> besides, BigRed-Worky is right
0
[H]olyGeekboyPAX dad and PC builderClevelandRegistered User, ClubPAregular
edited April 2010
I want to echo the sentiments of the original poster. I brought a semi-portable gaming desktop (custom casemod with built-in screen). It had two taxi trips: one in and one out. Next time I'll bring a portable handcart and do it myself. Red and crew knew how to manage the area, security was great, everyone seemed to have a ton of fun, I won a bunch of prizes, and the only beef I had was that my buddy whose mom was dying couldn't get a swag bag mailed to him when he had to turn around and go home after arriving in Boston. We got admitted two hours early to set up. We had a secured chair and desktop space all weekend long. The perks were great, and I have to recommend BYOC to people next year. Many people did it was a decent laptop, without much lugging required.
[H]olyGeekboy on
0
[H]olyGeekboyPAX dad and PC builderClevelandRegistered User, ClubPAregular
itd be sweet to have 24h BYOC but really, I doubt many people would take advantage of it. If they did they would be hating themselves the next day.
Hell even most 24h huge LAN parties I know of are closing down each night cause only a small handful of people are there all the time.
Wingedillidan: I am angry all the time :P Im nicest at PAX itself :P
It's true, he is an angry person.
Following his tweets, I would concur.
Red, I am guessing you are not originally from Seattle? If so, you're the most jaded West Coaster I've ever met!
I just wanted to throw this out there for the guys who were in the Prophunt tournament... we ended up doing that spur of the moment as a tournament, did you guys enjoy it? If so I'm sure we could come up with a better rule structure and verification techniques.
If its deemed warranted (someone looking for something, a short delivery, etc) exceptions are made with an enforcer escort but thats it.
Okay I know you probably answer this every year (but now it'll be twice a year!). But, there's a registration for BYOC that is separate from PAX registration, right? I registered for Prime but didn't see any option to register for BYOC.
capnjack on
Q: "You are in the garden. You see a rose bush. You have a fishing rod. Exits are North, South and IN."
A: "What do you want from me?!?!?"
Yes BYOC reg is separate. It goes up later. Pay attention to these forums (or check the box during PAX Reg that says you want an email notification, but it goes live on the forums first) for my sticky at the top for BYOC info when the time gets closer.
Q: "You are in the garden. You see a rose bush. You have a fishing rod. Exits are North, South and IN."
A: "What do you want from me?!?!?"
0
Kilonum[E]Somewhere near BostonRegistered Userregular
edited April 2010
I had a blast, though I was a little disappointed by the turnout (I had enough room to spread out to my normal setup at home which is ~4ft not including tower.
Also, winning the crappy case contest finally convinced me to buy a new case, full tower this time (the case I won was too small for my system, I might build a new one with it though).
I for one welcomed the extra space. I was definitely encroaching on a 3rd seat with my 2 computer mods lol.
If I ended up going to prime and not being able to take my computers I would still get the byoc pass just for extra space and a spot to store stuff at.
I found security to be done rather well and trusted all my things to be fine.
thorkon on
0
[H]olyGeekboyPAX dad and PC builderClevelandRegistered User, ClubPAregular
edited April 2010
thorkon: cannot wait to see what you cook up next! Really dig your pixellated mods.
Posts
Storing stuff in BYOC is safer than on the show floor :P But if you have anything thats super duper valuable that can be easily moved id store it in the hotel room. We only track laptops, desktops, and monitors.
Yes there are people there right up until close
I'm leaning towards it with a laptop for next year,t hen! (With a laptop lock, of course!)
As for me participating in BYOC at PAX, that's never going to happen thanks to living in the UK. Even if I were to manage to get my PC to the US I would have to use step-up transformers to bring the voltage up to 240v in order to power everything. Not really practical. I'll wait for Euro-PAX for my BYOC experience, should it ever materialise.
In the two years I've done BYOC, I've found that I'll play games on an "as desired" basis... the first year, I got in a couple of games in between doing things at PAX if I just needed a minute, and this year I didn't have time to really play at all... but both years, I found it invaluable for having a place to securely house things needed for various activities.
I feel exactly the same way. I would highly recommend BYOC to anyone. At Prime I spent a lot of time in there playing games with people. This year I maybe spent a total of an hour outside the initial setup time, but it was well worth it. It's a great place to put your stuff, to relax if the crowds start to get to you, and to meet up with your friends if (when) you get separated.
A: "What do you want from me?!?!?"
If its deemed warranted (someone looking for something, a short delivery, etc) exceptions are made with an enforcer escort but thats it.
Following his tweets, I would concur.
Red, I am guessing you are not originally from Seattle? If so, you're the most jaded West Coaster I've ever met!
But I was crafted out of pure hate and rage.
By Vulcan himself!
A: "What do you want from me?!?!?"
Okay I know you probably answer this every year (but now it'll be twice a year!). But, there's a registration for BYOC that is separate from PAX registration, right? I registered for Prime but didn't see any option to register for BYOC.
A: "What do you want from me?!?!?"
A: "What do you want from me?!?!?"
Also, winning the crappy case contest finally convinced me to buy a new case, full tower this time (the case I won was too small for my system, I might build a new one with it though).
If I ended up going to prime and not being able to take my computers I would still get the byoc pass just for extra space and a spot to store stuff at.
I found security to be done rather well and trusted all my things to be fine.