What is it?
PAX Prime is a 4 day geek culture convention with video games as the focal point. There's an expo hall where you can demo some games before they come out, panels you can check out, a tabletop area, console freeplay, tournaments, concerts etc
When is It?
Sept 2-5, 2016
Where is it?
Washington State Convention Center, Seattle Washington
Expo Hall hours?
Show Floor is 10am-6pm each day. Other parts like the console freeplay, tabletop area etc are 10am-12am Fri-Sun and 10am-7pm Monday.
How much are tickets?
Tickets were $45/day but are now sold out. If you want tickets now you'll need to buy through a third party. There are often people selling tickets outside the convention center and PAX has a badge verification check you can use to verify a badges authenticity before purchasing. Do not buy from a third party outside the convention center unless the seller is willing to go with you to verify the badge.
The nearest airport is Seattle-Tacoma. The airport code is SEA.
Once you arrive at the airport, you can take the Light Rail link to downtown Seattle for only $3. Here are the last few light rail stops(note Convention center is on the corner of 7th and Pike):
You can walk to your hotel from there pretty easily if you picked one near the convention center.
The Light Rail now also continues on to Capital Hill and Washington University so you have more options to mass transit places.
The best place to book a hotel is through the official hotel list which you can access here:
https://compass.onpeak.com/e/43PPX16/0
Most stuff is already booked up but you might get lucky with a last minute cancellation. Otherwise you can check out what is available through others sites.
Floor plans!
Panel list(subject to change) is available now via the Guidebook app. Just search PAX Prime 2015 on Google Play or iTunes or view the mobile app online here. Schedule is posted here on the PAX West website as well..
Main Theatre: Benaroya Hall
Chipmunk theatre: Convention Center, Level 6
Chicken Theatre: Convention Center, Level 6
Hydra Theatre: Grand Hyatt, Level 1
Hippogriff Theatre: Grand Hyatt, Level 1
Sasquatch Theatre: Sheraton, Level 2
Sphinx Theatre: Sheraton, Level 3
Wyvern Theatre: Westin, Level 4
The Westin is a bit of a walk from the Convention Center so give yourself some extra time if you plan on attending a panel in the Westin. It's on the corner of 5th, Stewart, and Westlake(yep three corners).
Q) I'm not at PAX, any way I can experience it at home?
A) Yes PAX streams some panels. Last year they streamed the Main and Hedgehog theatres on the following channels:
www.twitch.tv/pax will be streaming the main theatre(I think)
www.twitch.tv/pax2 will be streaming the hydra theatre
www.twitch.tv/pax3 will be streaming the wyvern theatre
1) No more Queue hall. Instead there will be two places where you can enter the convention now. The first is the main entrance on the corner on 7th and Pike, and the other is the Annex.
Secret Entrance to Expo Hall?
2) Console freeplay and tourny are on the first two floors of the anex.
3) PAX Arena has moved to the convention center.
3) Swag Bags are in the Sheraton Level 2
4) Classic Arcade is in the Hyatt Level 1.
5) VR Freeplay in the Westin on Level 4 all day long. No idea how long the lines will be or how massive the pinkeye plague will be. Bring your own babywipes and sanitizer to bathe in before and after I guess.
-Check out the exhibit hall and play some unreleased games
-Go to some panels. There is a wide variety so there is bound to be some you are interested in
-Console Free play. Borrow a game and play it on a number of retro consoles in the free play room. All free
-Table Top: Take part in some table top games in the tabletop area
-Retro Arcade. Play some cool old arcade and pinball games
-Tournaments. Throughout PAX there will be tournaments for various games. Games and times are in the schedule
Gameworks
Gameworks is a Barcade with tons of arcade machines. and it's pretty much right across the street from the convention center
Seattle Space Needle
The Space Needle isn't too far away from the convention center.
Top Pot Donuts
Delicious, delicious donuts
Seattle Monorail
:lol
Date and Time to be determined shortly.
A complete list of PAX parties can be found here:
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/206295/pax-west-party-line-2016
-Snacks and Water. You're going to be waiting in line a lot to get into your favorite panels and to try the lateset games. It always helps to have snacks and beverages so you don't have to decide between waiting in line for food or going to another panel/playing another game.
Hand Sanitizer There will be plenty available for you to use around the convention center but it's always best to have your own in case it's just out of reach.
-Handheld game systems. Bring your 3DS. PAX is a street pass goldmine. Collect those puzzle pieces, grow those plants, kill those ghosts etc
-Something to sit on. The floor can be hard on the old backside. Bring a cushon with you, or for elite level line waiting, bring a slacker stool.
-A easy to carry bag. You're going to need it for all the above, plus the swag you'll get. Don't go overboard though as you will have to carry everything with you all day. You're not backpacking across Europe. Some people bring poster tubes to keep posters they acquire in good condition.
-Your cellphone battery will not last. Conventions are murder on your battery. I strongly recommend investing in a external battery pack of some kind.
-How long should you wait in line for a panel? Most stuff you're fine if you're there 30 minutes early. Some stuff like the Keynote and the PAX Rumble panel always book up fast. Other times popular panels end up in smaller theatres and book up insanely fast too. If you absolutely positively must see a panel and are willing to wait whatever it takes, look at the schedule and see what time the panel before it starts. The second that panel begins is the earliest you can line up(typically 90 minutes early)
-Get your sleep. you probably don't need the full 8 hours, but you don't want to be getting back to your hotel room at 4am and then waking up at 7 so you can be near the front of the line for when the convention center opens at 10am the next day.
-You might not be able to see/do everything. Pick your priorities and wait it out.
-Go to the GAF meetup/other meetups. My favorite part of conventions is meeting people I've been chatting online with for years. If you take the chance and do it, It'll become yours too. Doesn't have to be GAF. Are you part of a subreddit that is having a meetup at the convention? a Playstaiton Fansite etc? Consider attending them.
-Have Fun
