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What do you do in your off time while at PAX South?
Hey guys,
I was just thinking recently about how in my off time from PAX South in San Antonio, it gets kind of boring. I see some sit around and play coop games together, card games, nap in the corners and so on but there's gotta be more than that. What do you and your friends do as a tradition there or at other PAX shows? I was trying to think of fun or funny things to do like odd things, maybe buy air furniture and create our own living room to play games in the convention hall, or maybe there's a cool cafe nearby. Not sure of any cafes to check out or anything like that.
I was just thinking recently about how in my off time from PAX South in San Antonio, it gets kind of boring. I see some sit around and play coop games together, card games, nap in the corners and so on but there's gotta be more than that. What do you and your friends do as a tradition there or at other PAX shows? I was trying to think of fun or funny things to do like odd things, maybe buy air furniture and create our own living room to play games in the convention hall, or maybe there's a cool cafe nearby. Not sure of any cafes to check out or anything like that.
Lynbmw on
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And we're also within very convenient distance of The Alamo, which is the #1 reason tourists usually go to San Antonio.
If your interested in a Brazilian steakhouse I'll probably start my texas de Brazil thread soon that was damn fun last year.
Nah, we usually get food as a group. We have a 3 AM Whataburger ritual on Saturday night, depending on what's going on.
Last Sunday, I opted to check out the Alamo. This year I'm gonna try to get there early thursday so we can make the less than an hour drive to hit up Battleship Texas.
Cosplay Photography | Unofficial PAX South Fan Group (FB)
Isn't Battleship Texas in Houston? That's about a 3h drive...
I also spent a good deal of time last year playing paper-cutout prototype games in the freeplay area helping test mechanics and bounce ideas.
Hopefully this year they have something similar to the Gearbox community day zone thing. I was really missing that from the first year.
Crap, you're right. I'm not sure why I thought it was closer. Still might make the drive if we fly in early enough.
Cosplay Photography | Unofficial PAX South Fan Group (FB)
I haven't found any good restaurants nearby that isn't several blocks away and. It just two stars but I suppose I need to just take a walk and explore some. That's how I also miss panels and other things like contests or comps. My small group's plans are all over the place where we don't all like the same things. Then there will be a random block of nothing going on. Traditions are always fun though but I can't come up with anything. I told my friend we should find some uncommon games to play. She found a Vietnamese card game that's popular. I live nearby and have been to the Alamo several times but it's neat that every visit is a little different.
Just my personal suggestion, but way too many people are trying real hard to be "different" or "odd". Especially if it takes up a bunch of room (like a faux living room). Best to just hang out and socialize or play games. That's the whole point of PAX, right? Tabletop gaming was jamming nonstop last year from open to close every day, and pickup games were really easy to find (finding table space was another matter...). So that's what I did.
I'm not aware of any interesting cafes downtown, but something could have cropped up recently. The whole Riverwalk area is full of interesting little sights if you are willing to take a stroll.
If you need something free and rather awesome in the evenings, take a left out of the convention center down Market Street and go a few blocks to the San Fernando Cathedral. They are horrible about updating their website, but they've been doing an amazing light show on the cathedral each night. I don't know if it is still going on, but I assume so.
http://www.mainplaza.org/san-antoniothe-saga/
So if your looking for something to do or people to hang with post that you're taking a side trip to wherever "who wants to join?" usually works.
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/208961/pax-opening-night-party-2017-video-games-handhelds-decks-music-drinks-fun#latest
If anyone is interested, and I could access a kitchen, maybe I could bring some Cincinnati chili to share? Dunno where I'd get a kitchen though.
(My group tends to split up during the day, so meeting up in the evening is very valuable intel about things other people may want to see and hanging out is invaluable since we live all over these days.)
This seems cool.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tower+of+the+Americas/@29.4206093,-98.4877927,17.31z/data=!4m19!1m13!4m12!1m6!1m2!1s0x865cf5ffe15d19c3:0xd6611a915b0026d8!2sBowie+&+E.+Houston!2m2!1d-98.483181!2d29.42606!1m3!2m2!1d-98.4831905!2d29.4260728!3e3!3m4!1s0x0:0xcb7e29b633a5948f!8m2!3d29.4189108!4d-98.4835696
^This. A thousand times this.
I've attended conventions about more specific things. And when the programming dies down, you have to find something to do. But PAX is about games in all their forms. You are surrounded by tens of thousands of people who all want to play games. And even if that gets overwhelming, we are all carrying at least one (usually two or three) very powerful pocket computers that let us play even MOAR games (solor or wifi with others). Aside from eating, sleeping, and personal hygiene, nothing else should be "down time". LOL
As an aside, a great resource for being overwhelmed is the AFK room. It and its staff are very helpful.
I was more saying sometimes people get into a expo floor rut. I have friends who I don't believe truly engage all of pax and say the same things. They don't "explore" it. Challenge yourself to find something new to you about pax this year.