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PAX Buttoneering - Event Schedule and Official Button info added!

jonxpjonxp [E] PC SecurityRegistered User regular
edited March 2013 in PAX East
To my dismay, I heard there may not be PAX East Trading Cards this year. While I don't attend East, I know how much fun having a trading game can be. While Buttoneering has traditionally been a Prime event, I thought I would go ahead and set it up on the site for you guys. I'll need suggestions about when and where to do meetups (at least the traditional Post-Omegathon meetup). Aside from that, very little coordination is required besides making sure you're on the website.

We'll be on a slightly compressed timescale due to East being in March, but that gives you guys a little over a month to design and order your buttons. I'll contact PureButtons for a coupon code immediately.

I hope you guys are interested! Please feel free to ask questions or make suggestions for what might be different at East, since I don't know.

pax_buttoneers_east-175in.png

What is Buttoneering?

Buttoneering is a meta-game that takes place every year at PAX Prime (and to a lesser extent PAX East and other events). You play by printing up a large number of buttons with a picture that represents you, and then find other people at your event to trade with you. It is remarkably easy to do, and it's a great way to meet people. Additionally, you come away with a huge number of buttons that are a unique souvenir of your time.

What are the rules?

Well, there are only a couple. First, if you get a button you should give a button, and vice versa. This applies to the "avatar" button, which is the one that represents you personally. If you have made other buttons representing a group, game, or are just something special, you can set your own rules for what people need to do to get them. As usual, follow Wheaton's Law for maximum fun.

How did Buttoneering start?

It started out as a problem at PAX 2008 for members of the Pax Forum Community. They wanted a way to be able to pick each other out of the crowd of more than 55,000 gamers. The initial idea was for t-shirts with everyone's avatars printed on them. Once someone pointed out the added benefit of being able to smell fellow forum members coming, other ideas were proposed.

Finally, everyone settled on making buttons with their avatars on them. After some initial research, it was discovered that one could get bulk amounts of these created for relatively cheaply, and the idea of PAX Button Exchange was born!

Where can I get buttons?

We recommended PureButtons because of their excellent customer service, good prices, and being all-around cool folks. No, we don't get paid to say that. If you're not in the U.S., feel free to ask in the thread to find info on providers closer to home, or if you're the trusting type, ask if you can ship the buttons to someone who is, to save yourself some shipping costs.

How do I participate?

There are four steps for participating in Buttoneering:
  • Choose your button size and shape, and make your artwork. 1.5 inch round buttons are by far the most popular, and are a good compromise between price and size.
  • Order your buttons. 100 buttons is a good base amount, but feel free to go with more. If you plan to order from PureButtons, be sure to use the coupon code PAX15 for 15% off.
  • Upload your artwork to BUTTONEERING!, our official Buttoneering site. This is totally optional, but it provides a great way to keep track of your collection. Yes, it asks for an email, but I promise I will only use them for site communication (which, to this point, has never happened).
  • At PAX, trade with other Buttoneers. It's MUCH easier than you would think.

Other frequently asked questions:
Q. Why do you only list Purebuttons.com as a source of buttons? Are you banging the owner?
You are free to have your buttons made by anyone, make them your self if you'd like. Our prior experience shopping around last year has shown that you really can't beat the price Purebuttons offers for buttons in bulk. If you can, let us know your insider info.

Q. How do I get a button? What are these "bonus buttons"?
The buttons fall in to two categories, the "avatar" or "main" buttons, and the "bonus" variety. While there are no set rules for trading them, these general guidelines are encouraged:
- Avatar buttons should be traded for other Avatar buttons, with no challenges or criteria expected to be fulfilled other than you are both Buttoneers.
- Bonus buttons may (or may not!) have special criteria for receiving them, and may go to people outside the button game who fulfill the criteria. This could be a challenge ("What is the flightspeed of an unladen swallow?"), a requirement ("You must be a member of the CEOs of America Club"), or one may just ask for one (remember to say "Please").

Q. I want to make people stand on their head, nude, while singing "Yankee Doodle" to receive my buttons! Can't I do that?
It is perfectly within your rights, but don't expect many people to trade their buttons back with you.

Q. Do I have to purchase hundreds of buttons to participate?
Purchase as many or as little as you want. As they say the more the merrier, more than likely you will only be able to recieve as many buttons as you have to give. Last year a somewhat active person could easily go through 100+ buttons.

Q. With 55,000+ people, how will I find you all to get my trade on?
Many if not most of us will be attending various community ran events. Feel free to stop by the Pre-PAX Dinner, the Pre-PAX Movie, Pre-PAX Pubcrawl, or the Pre-PAX Breakfast. We'll be there in droves. No one had any problems finding buttons last year. We stand out pretty hard.

Q. I want to make sure I get EVERY SINGLE BUTTON I can, will there be a Buttoneer meetup?
YES. The tentative plan is to meetup somewhere right after PAX lets out on Sunday.

Q. You said this is a game! How do we know who won?
Everyone is a winner! Especially you! You're so special, you know that?

Q. Will I be able to fly with my buttons. Are they considered an instrument of death?
As confirmed by the US TSA and experience from past years, 1' -1.5' buttons are not classified as an instrument of death even if you have a 100, and can be carried on or checked (they did say that depending on the TSA Agent you may be asked [forced at gun point] to check the buttons).
But remember this only applies to people whose flight originates in the US. If you are flying into the US with buttons make sure you check with your TSA equivalent before bringing them on a plane. The TSA people here also highly suggested that you check with US Customs (contact via your local embassy) before you try and bring them into the country (they indicated that the problem isn't with the button it's with what you could be hiding in the button). Recap: If you’re in the US you can fly w/ buttons, if you’re not your probably better off mailing.


Event Schedule

Meetup Location - In front of Bandland.
Meetup Times - Saturday: 1 hour prior to Expo Hall opening AND Sunday: Immediately after the Omegathon
Meetup Instructions - Go the meeting place at the right time and yell "BUTTONS!". Trust me, it's far more effective than any sign, and has been our call for five years.
Official Button Pickup - Come by the BYOC Security desk any time and pick up your Official Button. I won't be there, but just ask the Enforcer behind the desk for one. They can get busy at times (especially Friday morning), so if you see a line, go look around the show and come back. There is no button drop off this time (sadface) but hopefully in future years we can get someone to take over that for East.


About BUTTONEERING!.org

As of 2011, our official Buttoneering website is http://buttoneering.org. Usage is completely optional, but it does provide a number of benefits that make it worth the 60 seconds or so that it takes to sign up...
  • Upload your buttons and see everyone else's
  • Easily track the ones you've collected
  • Lots of cool filters and sorting to help you find the button you're looking for
  • Hosting for your finished button designs with the code to embed it in the forums
  • Keep up with your collection from year to year, event to event, so you can see just how much awesome you've seen

This way, we have a very convenient way for everyone to see the buttons and hopefully build upon it with buttoneering apps and the like!

So sign up, (make sure to use your forum name from here!), check your email for the confirmation, and then upload your artwork.


Before clicking on any of the links below, be aware that there are some NSFW buttons.

Click here for the list of this year's buttons!
Click here for last Prime's buttons.

Are you not on the list? Then you didn't sign up at http://buttoneering.org, so do it right away!

Every time you write parallel fifths, Bach kills a kitten.
3DS Friend Code: 2707-1614-5576
PAX Prime 2014 Buttoneering!
jonxp on
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Posts

  • zerzhulzerzhul Registered User, Moderator mod
    This is probably a bit too close to pax for me to participate, but I might bring my prime 2012 buttons. I can also bring the IRC button for anyone who participates in the PAX IRC that didn't get that at prime 2012.

  • jonxpjonxp [E] PC Security Registered User regular
    zerzhul wrote: »
    This is probably a bit too close to pax for me to participate, but I might bring my prime 2012 buttons. I can also bring the IRC button for anyone who participates in the PAX IRC that didn't get that at prime 2012.

    That brings up a good point. If you're planning to bring buttons from other events, please reupload them to the site for this one. I plan to make a one click button to make this easier in the future.

    Every time you write parallel fifths, Bach kills a kitten.
    3DS Friend Code: 2707-1614-5576
    PAX Prime 2014 Buttoneering!
  • RichSoCashRichSoCash Portland, ORRegistered User regular
    edited February 2013
    Maybe I can bring some of my creeper buttons that I brought to Prime?

    edit: I thought I'd maybe expand the buttons I bring to EAST. A lot of people at Prime liked the creeper, wondering what people think of these. Gotta figure out how many to make.
    J2I32T4.jpg

    RichSoCash on
  • tvethiopiatvethiopia Salem MARegistered User regular
    edited January 2013
    i must admit, i was at first hesitant to abandon the tradition of doing cards at east, but i have always been intrigued by buttoneering (and i do not attend prime). i would be interested in participating in this exciting new venture.

    EDIT: also, designing a button is much simpler than designing an entire trading card, so this seems like a great way to go, since we're down to less than 2 months til pax!

    tvethiopia on
    <3 Daintier. Smarter. Better dressed. <3
    7YIpfE5.png
  • redfield85redfield85 Registered User regular
    Oh geez. I feel like I have to get in on this. When do you think the cut off for ordering is?

    bYf6vNQ.png
    Tumblr | Twitter | Twitch | Pinny Arcade Lanyard
    [3DS] 3394-3901-4002 | [Xbox/Steam] Redfield85
  • zerzhulzerzhul Registered User, Moderator mod
    redfield85 wrote: »
    Oh geez. I feel like I have to get in on this. When do you think the cut off for ordering is?

    The turnaround is 7-10 days, maybe a week for shipping, so the cutoff is probably a little more than 3 weeks prior to pax.

  • scottyb1218scottyb1218 BostonRegistered User regular
    Awesome. Gonna work on my artwork now! Thanks for organizing!

    sig.php?id=222
  • SwaeSwae Registered User regular
    YES! I love buttoneering and I'm so happy we're doing it at East! Going to start designing mine now.

  • jonxpjonxp [E] PC Security Registered User regular
    edited January 2013
    Hey guys, PureButtons has a 15% off code for you: PAX15. They also mentioned that there's a new ordering process that they wouldn't mind feedback on, so let them know!

    Also, starting last year, the PureButtons templates are a different size! Be sure to use their updated templates, otherwise your button may not turn out exactly how you expect. The bleed no longer goes to the edge of the template so images submitted using the old dimensions may end up "zoomed in" on your actual buttons.

    jonxp on
    Every time you write parallel fifths, Bach kills a kitten.
    3DS Friend Code: 2707-1614-5576
    PAX Prime 2014 Buttoneering!
  • Josh@purebuttons.comJosh@purebuttons.com OhioRegistered User regular
    Hey guys,

    Appreciate all the support and feedback! We are more than happy to offer the 15% promo to continue our support with the PAX expos.

    I did receive the template email from Jon and I wanted to briefly touch on this. We did implement the new templates to accommodate the rim printing capabilities we now have. I am aware of the issue in the PSD template that does not allow you to turn off the background color. If you have the ability to use the AI template it is setup a little differently in the layers and does allow you to turn off our background color while still maintaining the template.

    You can also open the AI template and export it as a PSD if you prefer one to the other. That will separate the background from the template guides. It does however group some stuff weird but it should cause issues. We are diligently working on launching new templates to resolve this issue. This would just be a temporary fix.

    If anyone has any questions feel free to contact me direct. Josh@purebuttons.com

    Thanks,
    Josh

  • scottyb1218scottyb1218 BostonRegistered User regular
    So...I've learned over time that I really suck at graphic design and artwork in general. But I really would like to participate in Buttoneering. Anybody have any recommendations? I'd be looking to create one avatar button and one bonus button.

    Thanks!

    sig.php?id=222
  • jonxpjonxp [E] PC Security Registered User regular
    So...I've learned over time that I really suck at graphic design and artwork in general. But I really would like to participate in Buttoneering. Anybody have any recommendations? I'd be looking to create one avatar button and one bonus button.

    Thanks!

    It's very common to use the artwork from your avatar on the forums (or something high resolution and similar) with just your handle on top of it. Doesn't have to be flashy!

    Every time you write parallel fifths, Bach kills a kitten.
    3DS Friend Code: 2707-1614-5576
    PAX Prime 2014 Buttoneering!
  • scottyb1218scottyb1218 BostonRegistered User regular
    It's very common to use the artwork from your avatar on the forums (or something high resolution and similar) with just your handle on top of it. Doesn't have to be flashy!
    Yes, good point. I'm getting caught up with looking at all of these awesome buttons from PAX Prime 2012!!

    sig.php?id=222
  • macrogeekmacrogeek Registered User regular
    Yay buttons. I'm going to try to work these up in time.

  • itzerokewlitzerokewl Registered User regular
    You know, I've been a staunch supporter of cards for east and buttons for west, but I've always wanted to create one and have an outlet for trading them...I think I'm in!

    signature.png
  • Menolly07Menolly07 Registered User regular
    ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodnotenoughtimenotenoughtimenotenoughtimenotenoughtimenotenoughtimenotenoughtimegottahurryneedanideagottahurryneedanideagottahurryneedanideaSHITSHITSHITSHITSHITSHITSHITSHIT!!!!!!!

    Still PAXing strong. [E] for lyfe. ELand forever.
    twitter.com/Menolly07
  • punziepunzie Cookie Pimp Registered User regular
    Menolly07 wrote: »
    ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodnotenoughtimenotenoughtimenotenoughtimenotenoughtimenotenoughtimenotenoughtimegottahurryneedanideagottahurryneedanideagottahurryneedanideaSHITSHITSHITSHITSHITSHITSHITSHIT!!!!!!!

    Yeah, that. I was prepped for card ideas, not button ideas. :-/

    HI3789R.png
  • jonxpjonxp [E] PC Security Registered User regular
    Don't worry you guys still have more than a month to get ordered, we're just not doing the three months lead time we often get for prime.

    Every time you write parallel fifths, Bach kills a kitten.
    3DS Friend Code: 2707-1614-5576
    PAX Prime 2014 Buttoneering!
  • redfield85redfield85 Registered User regular
    I don't think I am going to order too many. With how many cards I still have from like PAX 2010, I'd rather run out than have a billion extras.

    bYf6vNQ.png
    Tumblr | Twitter | Twitch | Pinny Arcade Lanyard
    [3DS] 3394-3901-4002 | [Xbox/Steam] Redfield85
  • jonxpjonxp [E] PC Security Registered User regular
    Oh yeah, I should update that. I bet just 50 will be fine for this first year, judging by the forum activity and proximity to the event.

    Every time you write parallel fifths, Bach kills a kitten.
    3DS Friend Code: 2707-1614-5576
    PAX Prime 2014 Buttoneering!
  • AboutLastNightAboutLastNight Whitney Registered User regular
    edited January 2013
    Just uploaded my button design

    AboutLastNight on
  • LexiconGrrlLexiconGrrl Registered User regular
    @jonxp - Many thanks for setting this up for PAX East. A ton of work has been put into the site, the organization and the coordinating of hundreds of buttoneers. You rock.

    Happily on Sabbatical. Don't bug me.
  • MorgansternMorganstern Registered User regular
    The Pax Pokemon League gets their badges from PureButtons. I ordered mine on Tuesday and had them by Saturday, to give you an Idea of the turnaround time.

  • scrattatatscrattatat BostonRegistered User regular
    This is supremely awesome - I've always wanted to trade buttons, but never made it over to Seattle. Good to see the button-tastic fun coming over to the coolest of Coasts.

    a4VADIl.png eDL5zgd.png
  • KomiKomi Registered User regular
    Oh snap, I wasn't expecting this at all. I just might have to grab some buttons for east now, but if I don't I'll definitely bring my leftovers from Prime last year.

    Totally looking forward to this.

    -PAX Prime 2014-
    [x]In awe that my 30 minute badge window prediction was pretty close to accurate.
    [x]Badge (HOLYCRAPIGOTA4DAY!)
    [x]Hotel
    [ ]Airfare
    [ ]Buttoneering Buttons
    [ ]Challenge Coin
  • CaveCibumCaveCibum Registered User regular
    I will totally get in on this! Sounds like fun!

  • tvethiopiatvethiopia Salem MARegistered User regular
    just ordered my first ever pax buttons! hooray!

    <3 Daintier. Smarter. Better dressed. <3
    7YIpfE5.png
  • N13N13 Registered User regular
    Has anyone experienced trouble bringing his pins to PAX in carry-on luggage? I'm not planning to check a bag, so will these make it through TSA?

  • vttymvttym Ardent Gamer Northern NJRegistered User regular
    I'm going to find a way to get my card onto a button. Card-ception. Or is it button-ception?

    Seriously, though.. will have to see what I can do with buttons.. no idea how this will go =/

  • zerzhulzerzhul Registered User, Moderator mod
    I have never tried to bring buttons via a carry-on. Worst case you could ship them to your hotel, or to a friendly boston person. Maybe someone that has done so for prime has some insight.

  • jonxpjonxp [E] PC Security Registered User regular
    N13 wrote: »
    Has anyone experienced trouble bringing his pins to PAX in carry-on luggage? I'm not planning to check a bag, so will these make it through TSA?

    From the OP:
    Q. Will I be able to fly with my buttons. Are they considered an instrument of death?

    As confirmed by the US TSA and experience from past years, 1' -1.5' buttons are not classified as an instrument of death even if you have a 100, and can be carried on or checked (they did say that depending on the TSA Agent you may be asked [forced at gun point] to check the buttons).
    But remember this only applies to people whose flight originates in the US. If you are flying into the US with buttons make sure you check with your TSA equivalent before bringing them on a plane. The TSA people here also highly suggested that you check with US Customs (contact via your local embassy) before you try and bring them into the country (they indicated that the problem isn't with the button it's with what you could be hiding in the button). Recap: If you’re in the US you can fly w/ buttons, if you’re not your probably better off mailing.

    So far, no one has ever encountered an issue greater than a bag search because of all the metal in the carry on.

    Every time you write parallel fifths, Bach kills a kitten.
    3DS Friend Code: 2707-1614-5576
    PAX Prime 2014 Buttoneering!
  • redfield85redfield85 Registered User regular
    vttym wrote: »
    I'm going to find a way to get my card onto a button. Card-ception. Or is it button-ception?

    Seriously, though.. will have to see what I can do with buttons.. no idea how this will go =/

    What about placing the button ON the card? From a collector's standpoint, that would be hell to put in binders or display, but it sounds like a neat idea. Ha.

    bYf6vNQ.png
    Tumblr | Twitter | Twitch | Pinny Arcade Lanyard
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  • Knight_Knight_ Dead Dead Dead Registered User regular
    Hmm. I guess I can make a button. Might just combine my standard two button prime theme into one superbutton.

    aeNqQM9.jpg
  • jonxpjonxp [E] PC Security Registered User regular
    edited January 2013
    Hey guys, official button is made!

    pax_buttoneers_east-175in.png

    Alright, I've put it on the site and in the OP. Since I won't be at PAX East, I'm going to need to find a way to distribute them. The traditional method is for me to give them out at one of the BYOC desks, so I'll try to find some other Enforcer who is interested and can help out.

    jonxp on
    Every time you write parallel fifths, Bach kills a kitten.
    3DS Friend Code: 2707-1614-5576
    PAX Prime 2014 Buttoneering!
  • redfield85redfield85 Registered User regular
    Knight_ wrote: »
    Hmm. I guess I can make a button. Might just combine my standard two button prime theme into one superbutton.

    One huge button with your avatar and then two smaller ones. One that says PAX East *year* and one that says PAX Prime *year*.

    bYf6vNQ.png
    Tumblr | Twitter | Twitch | Pinny Arcade Lanyard
    [3DS] 3394-3901-4002 | [Xbox/Steam] Redfield85
  • JobiwanKenobiJobiwanKenobi Registered User regular
    With East yielding to the call of the button, is anyone else (who is also planning on going to Prime) considering making annual buttons rather than event specific buttons? Its tempting to just order a chunk of buttons to cover both events...

    (Also, my Dovah-Kleen button has been added as a bonus button)



    PAX Prime '09 - H1N(erd)1 Survivor - Never Forget (Your Hand Sanitizer)
    PAX Prime '14 Omeganaut - Result: KO in 3rd Round (Damn you, Super Avalanche 2!)
  • KomiKomi Registered User regular
    With East yielding to the call of the button, is anyone else (who is also planning on going to Prime) considering making annual buttons rather than event specific buttons? Its tempting to just order a chunk of buttons to cover both events...

    (Also, my Dovah-Kleen button has been added as a bonus button)

    If this becomes a thing that happens at every east, then I imagine most will go for a new button for each one along with leftovers from the previous as a bonus or something.

    Personally I'm going to make a new button specific for east, and then give away my Prime 2012 leftovers as a bonus button.

    -PAX Prime 2014-
    [x]In awe that my 30 minute badge window prediction was pretty close to accurate.
    [x]Badge (HOLYCRAPIGOTA4DAY!)
    [x]Hotel
    [ ]Airfare
    [ ]Buttoneering Buttons
    [ ]Challenge Coin
  • zerzhulzerzhul Registered User, Moderator mod
    given ample time to prepare for both events, I will create (or have help creating) a unique button for every event.

  • MorgansternMorganstern Registered User regular
    edited January 2013
    I've made a whole bunch of these buttons and for people new to the process, a tip:

    Respect the Safety Zone! On the Purebuttons template, the edge of the Safety Zone represents where the button begins to curve off into oblivion. Make sure everything you want on the face of your button stays within the Safety Zone!

    Morganstern on
  • MorgansternMorganstern Registered User regular
    Behold!

    A template like this:
    Safety_zps2a25b30c.jpg

    will produce a button like this:
    Safe_zps893a5abd.jpg

This discussion has been closed.