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Pax Prime, not in Seattle (2015?)

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Posts

  • zerzhulzerzhul Registered User, Moderator mod
    Quintious wrote: »
    PedroAsani wrote: »

    So your solution for those who want to go but can't due to space restrictions is simply: "tough. You don't get to be part of this. If you come as well, it will ruin it for me."

    If increasing the capacity of the venue means that lines are going to be longer, then we simply look for a solution to that new problem. You don't throw your hands up and say "Nothing can be done." Something can always be done. You just need to look harder, and be willing to work at it for longer.

    For example, if they were able to magically double the convention space, allowing twice as much booth space, attendees, panels and concerts, but current exhibitors were unable or unwilling to buy those booths, why not fill them with other exhibitors? The Indie Megabooth would welcome more space, and at the Q&A one guy mentioned a Game-themed musical. Boring but utilitarian, some booths had very cramped queuing space, so a bit of extra breathing room there wouldn't be amiss.

    I agree that more days would be unfeasible. But there are plenty of alternatives, and things I'm sure I haven't thought of, that could ameliorate the situation. Adding extra people to Sunday would be one of the simplest, given that many people with the 4-day badge took the Saturday as a reason to get crazy drunk and use Sunday as a rest day. That is a situation I don't see changing next year, since by all accounts the PAX parties were some people's favourite things.


    If you want to go, you can always go. Friday morning, badges for all days but Saturday were selling at face value right at the steps of the convention centre. Saturday badges sold for like 60 a pop (so 30 dollars above face). If 30 dollars is the difference between "I'm going to PAX" and "I can't go to PAX", then you probably shouldn't be going to PAX.
    I understand the point you're trying to make here, but don't underestimate certainty as a part of the equation. Even though I know from experience that badges can be had outside the con for a premium, I am not sure I would want to book airfare and a hotel without knowing with 100% certainty that I had a badge for myself for the convention.

    Regardless of any of the potential pros of moving the convention, I do not think that PAX Prime will be moved out of the Seattle area, ever.

  • QuintiousQuintious Registered User regular
    zerzhul wrote: »
    Quintious wrote: »
    PedroAsani wrote: »

    So your solution for those who want to go but can't due to space restrictions is simply: "tough. You don't get to be part of this. If you come as well, it will ruin it for me."

    If increasing the capacity of the venue means that lines are going to be longer, then we simply look for a solution to that new problem. You don't throw your hands up and say "Nothing can be done." Something can always be done. You just need to look harder, and be willing to work at it for longer.

    For example, if they were able to magically double the convention space, allowing twice as much booth space, attendees, panels and concerts, but current exhibitors were unable or unwilling to buy those booths, why not fill them with other exhibitors? The Indie Megabooth would welcome more space, and at the Q&A one guy mentioned a Game-themed musical. Boring but utilitarian, some booths had very cramped queuing space, so a bit of extra breathing room there wouldn't be amiss.

    I agree that more days would be unfeasible. But there are plenty of alternatives, and things I'm sure I haven't thought of, that could ameliorate the situation. Adding extra people to Sunday would be one of the simplest, given that many people with the 4-day badge took the Saturday as a reason to get crazy drunk and use Sunday as a rest day. That is a situation I don't see changing next year, since by all accounts the PAX parties were some people's favourite things.


    If you want to go, you can always go. Friday morning, badges for all days but Saturday were selling at face value right at the steps of the convention centre. Saturday badges sold for like 60 a pop (so 30 dollars above face). If 30 dollars is the difference between "I'm going to PAX" and "I can't go to PAX", then you probably shouldn't be going to PAX.
    I understand the point you're trying to make here, but don't underestimate certainty as a part of the equation. Even though I know from experience that badges can be had outside the con for a premium, I am not sure I would want to book airfare and a hotel without knowing with 100% certainty that I had a badge for myself for the convention.

    Regardless of any of the potential pros of moving the convention, I do not think that PAX Prime will be moved out of the Seattle area, ever.


    I agree with you on the issue of "certainty" in theory, but historically speaking, badges have *always* been available. Every year. Without fail. Until such time as PAX adopts the SDCC philosophy of draconian efforts to prevent resale capabilities, there will always be availability via many, MANY channels. I guess I'm more surprised by locals that said they didn't go cause they struck out.

  • mcdermottmcdermott Registered User regular
    Quintious wrote: »
    zerzhul wrote: »
    Quintious wrote: »
    PedroAsani wrote: »

    So your solution for those who want to go but can't due to space restrictions is simply: "tough. You don't get to be part of this. If you come as well, it will ruin it for me."

    If increasing the capacity of the venue means that lines are going to be longer, then we simply look for a solution to that new problem. You don't throw your hands up and say "Nothing can be done." Something can always be done. You just need to look harder, and be willing to work at it for longer.

    For example, if they were able to magically double the convention space, allowing twice as much booth space, attendees, panels and concerts, but current exhibitors were unable or unwilling to buy those booths, why not fill them with other exhibitors? The Indie Megabooth would welcome more space, and at the Q&A one guy mentioned a Game-themed musical. Boring but utilitarian, some booths had very cramped queuing space, so a bit of extra breathing room there wouldn't be amiss.

    I agree that more days would be unfeasible. But there are plenty of alternatives, and things I'm sure I haven't thought of, that could ameliorate the situation. Adding extra people to Sunday would be one of the simplest, given that many people with the 4-day badge took the Saturday as a reason to get crazy drunk and use Sunday as a rest day. That is a situation I don't see changing next year, since by all accounts the PAX parties were some people's favourite things.


    If you want to go, you can always go. Friday morning, badges for all days but Saturday were selling at face value right at the steps of the convention centre. Saturday badges sold for like 60 a pop (so 30 dollars above face). If 30 dollars is the difference between "I'm going to PAX" and "I can't go to PAX", then you probably shouldn't be going to PAX.
    I understand the point you're trying to make here, but don't underestimate certainty as a part of the equation. Even though I know from experience that badges can be had outside the con for a premium, I am not sure I would want to book airfare and a hotel without knowing with 100% certainty that I had a badge for myself for the convention.

    Regardless of any of the potential pros of moving the convention, I do not think that PAX Prime will be moved out of the Seattle area, ever.


    I agree with you on the issue of "certainty" in theory, but historically speaking, badges have *always* been available. Every year. Without fail. Until such time as PAX adopts the SDCC philosophy of draconian efforts to prevent resale capabilities, there will always be availability via many, MANY channels. I guess I'm more surprised by locals that said they didn't go cause they struck out.

    Yeah, unless and until they adopt specific anti scalping measures badges will be available. The price may go up, but compared to airfare, hotel?

    But yeah, I do get it.

  • CuvisTheConquerorCuvisTheConqueror They always say "yee haw" but they never ask "haw yee?" Registered User regular
    YoungFrey wrote: »
    mcdermott wrote: »
    Really, it's not like Seattle is central to some huge population either. I agree, a third con would fit nicely in one of the larger midwest metros, or Texas.
    Texas does already have 2 gaming cons. Quake and Rooster Teeth. But I bet PAX could still work without really hurting either of them. Texas also has a number of game studios for a bit of that synergy.

    SGC also started this year, and could grow into something big if it's nurtured properly.

    xderwsaxganu.png
  • DaveRHDaveRH Registered User regular
    Interesting read.

    I feel that McDermott, is correct that significantly increasing the size of PAX Prime could hurt PAX Prime, he makes very reasonable arguments for this. I also think that regardless PAX Prime will be eventually moved out of Seattle anyway. Time will tell....though I've been calling day 4 since 2010 (and people kept telling me I was crazy and it would never happen.)

    Also PAX East is equally fantastic, but has a very different flavour than prime....mostly because of that gigantic board game room I think.

  • sarge1445sarge1445 Registered User regular
    sarge1445 wrote: »
    Vegas would be a great "PAX West" location, as hotels are affordable, flights are cheap from pretty much everywhere, and it's just close enough to Seattle to take a bit of the pressure off of Prime. They have the space, getting around the city is easy, and the weather is good all year.
    read my earlier response to the last person who suggested Vegas

    You're insane.

    Supposing that they did open an Vegas Pax at the Las Vegas Convention Center, you're looking at roughly ~500 for a flight and 4 nights of hotel stay from the east coast alone. Nevermind that the LVCC is almost double the size of the BCEC (Pax East), which would put it nearly triple the WSCC's capacity. This would allow for quite a few more attendees alone. Putting up with a "dirty city full of rude people" would be an easy trade off considering. Of course, I never found Vegas dirty to begin with. Rude, sure, but all cities are.

    If you were to move it to LA or San Diego, you're looking at some steeply increased travel costs. Vegas is just built to handle tourism and massive influxes of people.

    No I am someone who has been to CES and lives 6-8 hours away from Vegas (by car) and knows the city really well. The only advantage would be the bigger convention center. Vegas is expensive as hell if you want to stay somewhere nice and close to the convention center. Also a big part of PAX is the vibe of the city and Vegas does not have that at all. Never once on my way walking to the WSCC was I harassed by people trying to hand out cards to an escort service or a dude hand out coupons to clubs. Also go somewhere besides the strip that city is incredibly filthy. I am not against PAX moving or having a PAX West but lets pick a city that actually fits the vibe of PAX Portland, San Fran, San Diego, hell if we wanna go more midwest Denver

    I AM THE VAMPIRE
  • FireWaterFireWater Registered User regular
    00Fayt00 wrote: »
    FireWater wrote: »
    I wonder if Penny Arcade could do a PAX a quarter or so. Maybe the West Coast needs 2 PAXes.

    This is just me...and I know many people won't agree with this...but why if they added a third convention in NA does it have to be East or West coast? The midwest is ignored so often, and I can say from experience that like 99% of people don't have any idea what PAX is because there are fewer conventions that come here. Yes, I understand that there are less people living in the Midwest, but still...it annoys me that it seems like the vast majority of times it isn't even considered for the big conventions. :/ Sorry...a bit of a rant, but just sayin.

    We'll no offense, but the tri state area has access to a vast majority of the us population not to mention people flying I from Europe will have cheaper access as well. The reason why there are no big cons in the Midwest is because it's a major inconvenience to a vast majority of the population that would go to such a convention. I suppose they could try to develop one out there but it makes little sense and they probably wouldn't get the draw from the major game developers.

  • mcdermottmcdermott Registered User regular
    Never once on my way walking to the WSCC was I harassed by people trying to hand out cards to an escort service or a dude hand out coupons to clubs.

    Um...I have. I mean, not escort services, but the guys handing out cards to strip clubs? I'd swear this is the first year they haven't been out in force, right on the corner of 7th and Pike. Just look for the suits.

  • BuraisuBuraisu Psychomancer Seattle, WARegistered User regular
    edited October 2013
    I just recently dreamt up a way to expand PAX Prime.

    Include the four largest convention centers near Seattle, create satellite conventions. These satellite conventions could have live feeds to the Seattle convention panels and maybe some panels of their own. Could set up the satellite Exhibit Halls so that mobile exhibit teams can move between the four satellite locations each day to save space; could also sell extra space as permanent locations instead of temporary space for mobile teams, depends on what the Exhibitors want to do. Could also setup bandland at each of the locations and have the band members at a different location each day, if it's a one-person band, hire staff to sell merchandise at the other locations. Also, the bands playing at the concerts could change locations each day, and play every night; if they are up for it. The satellite conventions wouldn't be too far to drive to, easy to change locations for staff, exhibitors, and bands. Besides those changes, the satellite conventions would be pretty much the same as the Seattle location.

    Buraisu on
    47uk6agplx83.png
  • PedroAsaniPedroAsani Brotherhood of the Squirrel [Prime]Registered User regular
    Buraisu wrote: »
    I just recently dreamt up a way to expand PAX Prime.

    Include the four largest convention centers near Seattle, create satellite conventions. These satellite conventions could have live feeds to the Seattle convention panels and maybe some panels of their own. Could set up the satellite Exhibit Halls so that mobile exhibit teams can move between the four satellite locations each day to save space; could also sell extra space as permanent locations instead of temporary space for mobile teams, depends on what the Exhibitors want to do. Could also setup bandland at each of the locations and have the band members at a different location each day, if it's a one-person band, hire staff to sell merchandise at the other locations. Also, the bands playing at the concerts could change locations each day, and play every night; if they are up for it. The satellite conventions wouldn't be too far to drive to, easy to change locations for staff, exhibitors, and bands. Besides those changes, the satellite conventions would be pretty much the same as the Seattle location.

    Can you be more specific as to the locations of these "satellite" venues?

  • MortonStromgalMortonStromgal Registered User regular
    edited November 2013
    sarge1445 wrote: »

    No I am someone who has been to CES and lives 6-8 hours away from Vegas (by car) and knows the city really well. The only advantage would be the bigger convention center. Vegas is expensive as hell if you want to stay somewhere nice and close to the convention center. Also a big part of PAX is the vibe of the city and Vegas does not have that at all. Never once on my way walking to the WSCC was I harassed by people trying to hand out cards to an escort service or a dude hand out coupons to clubs. Also go somewhere besides the strip that city is incredibly filthy. I am not against PAX moving or having a PAX West but lets pick a city that actually fits the vibe of PAX Portland, San Fran, San Diego, hell if we wanna go more midwest Denver

    I've been to CES a few times and found it pretty reasonable as far as convention prices go, the difference in Vegas is the hotel is usually cheaper outside of convention time. Last time I was at the MGM it was $125 a night regular or just over $200 during the convention I was at (edit: prices I know vary by convention) where as in Seattle it i opposite staying at the Grand Hyatt not during PAX is almost $400 a night where as during PAX it was about $200.

    MortonStromgal on
  • spool32spool32 Contrary Library Registered User regular
    JaysonFour wrote: »
    Wouldn't mind something like a PAX Chicago or something for those of us who can't easily get to Seattle or Boston. I want to go, but I'm looking at a road trip in either direction.

    PAXSW in Austin.

  • sarge1445sarge1445 Registered User regular
    spool32 wrote: »
    JaysonFour wrote: »
    Wouldn't mind something like a PAX Chicago or something for those of us who can't easily get to Seattle or Boston. I want to go, but I'm looking at a road trip in either direction.

    PAXSW in Austin.

    Eh RTX is pretty much filling that void for Penny Arcade if anything PAX Midwest in Denver or Chicago

    I AM THE VAMPIRE
  • sarge1445sarge1445 Registered User regular
    sarge1445 wrote: »
    spool32 wrote: »
    JaysonFour wrote: »
    Wouldn't mind something like a PAX Chicago or something for those of us who can't easily get to Seattle or Boston. I want to go, but I'm looking at a road trip in either direction.

    PAXSW in Austin.

    Eh RTX is pretty much filling that void for Penny Arcade if anything PAX Midwest in Denver or Chicago
    I would say SW in Phoenix but I don't want to punish the gaming community with the heat of Arizona

    I AM THE VAMPIRE
  • K!LL@RK!LL@R Registered User regular
    sarge1445 wrote: »
    sarge1445 wrote: »
    spool32 wrote: »
    JaysonFour wrote: »
    Wouldn't mind something like a PAX Chicago or something for those of us who can't easily get to Seattle or Boston. I want to go, but I'm looking at a road trip in either direction.

    PAXSW in Austin.

    Eh RTX is pretty much filling that void for Penny Arcade if anything PAX Midwest in Denver or Chicago
    I would say SW in Phoenix but I don't want to punish the gaming community with the heat of Arizona

    Then treat them to the beauty that is Phoenix in the winter. Nothing like 80 and sunny in January. I love calling my friends in Seattle and Portland in December and complain how it's so cold I had to stop wearing shorts ;-). I just don't know if the PhCC can handle PAX. Phoenix Comicon overflows it. But the hotels around it have started to take up some of the overflow.

  • zerzhulzerzhul Registered User, Moderator mod
    I'm not sure this thread is relevant anymore post PAX South announcement. If we hear something new at some point we can re-open it.

    Geth, close this thread.

  • GethGeth Legion Perseus VeilRegistered User, Moderator, Penny Arcade Staff, Vanilla Staff vanilla
    Affirmative zerzhul. Closing thread...

This discussion has been closed.