I'm still bummed that I couldn't make the Sunday meet up. The picture CF_Fighter posted on his FB page made the beer and pretzel so bloody delicious.
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PAX East 2014 Thread | April 11-13, 2014 | It's Finally Spring
- Thread starter ActStriker
- Start date
I'm still bummed that I couldn't make the Sunday meet up. The picture CF_Fighter posted on his FB page made the beer and pretzel so bloody delicious.
CF_Fighter
Member
I went to Harpoon again today and over to Night Shift in the Bunker Hill area. They had some fantastic beers. This weekend has really made me rethink how I have always said I would never leave my hometown.
Thank you to everyone who made my first PAX and big convention such a memorable experience. Might be back up in a couple months, but will be back for 2015 for sure. Would love to connect with some of you all on FB so send me a PM.
Now I'm going to install a weight pulley in my car and sweat profusely because, in the words of Lincoln Hawk, "The world never meets you halfway."
Thank you to everyone who made my first PAX and big convention such a memorable experience. Might be back up in a couple months, but will be back for 2015 for sure. Would love to connect with some of you all on FB so send me a PM.
Now I'm going to install a weight pulley in my car and sweat profusely because, in the words of Lincoln Hawk, "The world never meets you halfway."
RPG Wizard
Member
Went in and chatted with Charles Battersby and Shidoshi. (Sad I missed the panel. Argh. That's the third year in a row. I will make one of these one year.) I like the space. It's cozy, friendly and welcoming. That said, it has the problem that as mentioned, it's a hard sell and generally the people who care are not the people who most need to understand why it exists and learn from it.
The people there were awesome, and I will definitely wear my Roll for Diversity lanyard with pride. However...I don't know how well it worked out. In some ways, it really does feel like LBGT* is being shoved into its own little corner where it will be overlooked by most. On the other hand, because it was its own room, there was the ability to have meaningful conversations as well as relax with cool people on the bean bags.
So I'm of two-minds about it. I figure if anyone, Shidoshi probably has the best take on it. So hopefully we'll get some input there.
As far as the rest of PAX is concerned, eh, the Expo hall was weak this year, the indies games were still nifty, and STEEL BATTALION. (Had a chat with an Enforcer about the nature of PAX Prime vs East, where Prime is coming off of E3 and all about the AAA titles and big companies, whereas East has a slightly older average attendee age and a bigger focus on the indies and classic games. (See: Arcade Museum, strong Classic Console area, and STEEL BATTALION.))
I was sad that ACAM wasn't here as well. Need my pinball fix. I didn't do too much in the way of panels, but I did swing by OCRemix. Neither Larry nor David were there, which was weird, but some of the other bigwigs recognized me and that was fun.
Let's see...what else. Chatted with the team behind Curse of the Necrodancer, which is still a hilarious and awesome concept. Rhythm-based rogue-like? Yes please. The fact that someone suggested a DDR pad at PAX Prime, and they've fully implemented it into the game come this PAX East is especially hilarious. Talk about taking fan feedback!
Also chatted with Christine Love. She's pretty awesome. I REALLY need to play Hate Plus. (...but it's only on Steam. Mrgrgr.)
I'm also impressed I managed to COMPLETELY FAIL TO MAKE ANY GAF Meetups. Gah. Maybe next year everyone.
Hope everyone made it back safe and had a good time. (And whee, streetpasses. Just hit 15200.)
friskykillface
Banned
Still bummed i passed out on friday night after spending the entire day there, guess i wasn't prepared, that really was the only day i had free, cause saturday i went to see an old friend and yesterday was my dads birthday dinner
the PAX wrestlemania was my first ever panel haha, to be able to get in 15 minutes after it started is how i want to go to panels
that last hour/right at 6 pm, everyone was basically in "GIVE ME MODE" for everything and stuff was handed out like crazy, LoL was swarmed with free stuff, i got a a plush from project spark and i didn't watch the live demo *runs away*
next year im booking a hotel right next to the convention center cause i got tired going all the way home each day, plus i will meet some of you guys smh at myself
the PAX wrestlemania was my first ever panel haha, to be able to get in 15 minutes after it started is how i want to go to panels
that last hour/right at 6 pm, everyone was basically in "GIVE ME MODE" for everything and stuff was handed out like crazy, LoL was swarmed with free stuff, i got a a plush from project spark and i didn't watch the live demo *runs away*
next year im booking a hotel right next to the convention center cause i got tired going all the way home each day, plus i will meet some of you guys
smh at myselfab.aeterno
Member
Yeah, I know that feel. On the one hand, I spent 2/3 less than I would have on a hotel. On the other hand, using public transit is a time sink, so dropping off heavy merch took a couple hours round trip.next year im booking a hotel right next to the convention center cause i got tired going all the way home each day, plus i will meet some of you guys
My memory is also falling me. Who else did I meet Friday night? I remember Sober, but everyone else's GAF name escaped me. I do remember someone showing me a space invader avatar.
Fuck, I must have been out of it, haha.
AlphaTwo00
Member
Yup, always book as close as possible. This year I sort of let it slip and had other people do it, and since it was like a 30 minute drive away, it sort of made a lot of things not possible.
I was there friday, but did I meet you?
Manmademan
Member
What happened Friday night
People got drunk and danced. I broke my ankle practically.
Manmademan
Member
Dancing? I love dancing! Shame I missed it
We're looking for a game we saw at PAX, but can't remember the name of (and it's not showing up on any sites). It was a isometric turn-based strategy game with colorful graphics (something like Final Fantasy Tactics), and it was being played on a tablet. Anybody catch the name or anything?
DivineRage002
Member
Anyone else getting smacked in the face brutally by post-pax depression? God I already can't wait until next year.
Until then it's back to the real world...
Until then it's back to the real world...
Solbringer
Member
Not just you. This happens every single year to me without fail. Not to mention it's the one event that I get to see my friends at all since everyone got real life stuff to contend with.
That being said, I absolutely loved the Indie Megabooth they got set up (even won a free copy of Nuclear Throne!). On the other end of the spectrum, I tried for all 3 days to rush to get on line for the Evolve demo but it's always packed. Four hour wait? No way, I'll be at the Heroes of the Storm booth right across from them.
Aww man after looking through my mirror less camera shots, I realized that I regret not carrying my bag through the moments where I wish I had it on me; many of those moments I used my crappy phone camera and 3DS camera.=/
That being said, here are a small handful of shots I took with said mirror less camera. Also I should warn you all not to click on the pics to blow them up since they're MASSIVE and bad quality when blown up.
At Whiskey Priest:
Jeff Gerstmann at Whiskey Priest on Friday night. I should have cranked the ISO to the max since it has too much noise (read: it looks grainy):
Saw Chasm for a few minutes. It looks pretty kick ass:
Ran into this trio of game developers that post on a popular gaming forum and tried out their game. It was pretty cool:
Crappy 3DS selfies with Jeffs Green and Gertsmann and the other GB crew are next until my friend uploads the better quality pics he took with his camera.
That being said, here are a small handful of shots I took with said mirror less camera. Also I should warn you all not to click on the pics to blow them up since they're MASSIVE and bad quality when blown up.
At Whiskey Priest:
Jeff Gerstmann at Whiskey Priest on Friday night. I should have cranked the ISO to the max since it has too much noise (read: it looks grainy):
Saw Chasm for a few minutes. It looks pretty kick ass:
Ran into this trio of game developers that post on a popular gaming forum and tried out their game. It was pretty cool:
Crappy 3DS selfies with Jeffs Green and Gertsmann and the other GB crew are next until my friend uploads the better quality pics he took with his camera.
CF_Fighter
Member
Yes, just landed in Tampa and already bummed.
My flight was 30 mins delayed and we ended up at Billy Bishop. However, due to the problems earlier we were on the runway maybe 20 extra mins? We disembarked around 8:30pm ish instead of the 7:20pm scheduled.
It sounds like you guys went through a nightmare.
I got back home like an hour ago.
AlphaTwo00
Member
Yup. That flight was certainly interesting. But hey, PAX Flight = Mario Kart 7 on the terminal gate. I swear that was the most gaming i did for the entire week.
Now I have to buy MK7?
Oh and Bravely Default still.
Good thing your flight didn't go fucked up like ours did.
friskykillface
Banned
hey, you still looking for a code? i got an extra one that will expire in less then five days
find me a gif of the squirtle gang nodding their heads agreeing and the code is yours B^)
Allforce
Member
Is it pretty easy/common to find scalpers at East? I went to Prime last fall and despite buying my tickets through the proper channels the amount of people out each day scalping (for fair prices too, normally not much more than face value) was pretty good to see.
I'd like to check out Boston next year but I don't want to go through the insanity of the Twitter post mad dash for tickets again through their official online site. I'd rather just buy them at the door and go about my business.
I'd like to check out Boston next year but I don't want to go through the insanity of the Twitter post mad dash for tickets again through their official online site. I'd rather just buy them at the door and go about my business.
StarCreator
Member
Unlike Seattle, it's illegal to scalp in Boston.
Allforce
Member
That doesn't really answer the question though. Could I purchase some tickets easily enough outside the venue? Were there scalpers out and about?
I'm pretty sure I could get Red Sox tickets right outside Fenway before any game. Scalping may be "illegal" but you're never going to see someone arrested for it anywhere.
I'm pretty sure I could get Red Sox tickets right outside Fenway before any game. Scalping may be "illegal" but you're never going to see someone arrested for it anywhere.
ActStriker
Member
I saw some people scalping, but I don't know for how much.
Here's John Drake cleaning up his mess after the Royal Rumble panel
Haha I watched some of the Twitch stream of this panel, looked absolutely bananas. Wish I went to that panel myself.
Ahh yeah! My friend uploaded the Giant Bomb pictures so here they are.I have pics with Brad and Drew as well in my 3DS. As a quick side note Jeff following my "Hey there small business owner line" for a couple minutes made his face light up on Saturday night:
Getting choked by Dr. Tracksuit:
The Vin Doggy AKA Vinco:
And The Wolf:
Getting choked by Dr. Tracksuit:
Jeff Green AKA Sun Bro Slayer:
The Vin Doggy AKA Vinco:
Scoops:
And The Wolf:
friskykillface
Banned
there were random guys selling their tickets each day, also on craigs list but that is kinda risky cause it might be fake, I bought two sunday passes at 4 pm on the last day for my cousins cause they never been so there are always buyers, i paid $20 for two passes for two hours, they had fun and got lots of free stuff haha
some people in this thread were selling their passes at cost a week/days before it started so check here before it starts next year
lol there are always scalpers in Boston, for every sporting event , concerts and etc, the police basically don't care
This is actually why they're doing it. The organizers of PAX are hoping that having four PAX events throughout the year will help normalize attendance at each of them.
Yea but these cost A LOT of money for developers and there was already a noticeable drop in companies attending East this year that attended last year. I would just hate to see developers have to chose and then people buy a ticket for one Pax but their favorite developer goes to another.
maybe I'm thinking too much into it but I'm considering going to Pax South next year and I hope that there will be a full Pax experience there.
At this point I think the best they can hope for is getting a lot of participation from regional indie developers that are close to each show.
I think every PAX is going to see waning attendance from AAA publishers though. Between PAX South, GDC, PAX East, E3, PAX Prime, and Gamescom they probably won't have the time or budget to attend everything. PAX East might be the big loser since it is so close to GDC.
AlphaTwo00
Member
GDC shouldn't matter in that aspect, because if you have a game to show, GDC isn't the place to show it: it's not a fan outreach location, it doesn't have the potential word of mouth, and the floorspace is usually reserved for industry software/tools/networking stuff. PAXEast's potentially biggest issues (along with the new one in Texas) is the timing - Jan - March, thre just isn't going to be a whole lot new to show off.
Regional indies? I'm not sure how much is in the Boston scene. I half joked about how much of that indie megabooth is from Toronto, but there's some truth to it, and I wonder what people think about the indie booth next year if these same guys show up with the same games again (cause that's usually how the indie dev cycle can last). I also think it's very telling that the remaining Boston dev houses weren't exactly there with booths (and it hasn't been a good year for that region).
RPG Wizard
Member
I don't know how PAX South is intending to work with the current Prime = Big Companies, East = Classic + Indies dynamic.
It feels kind of awkwardly placed, and while I understand the motivation to try to alleviate some of the ticket hell that exists, I'm unsure of what the end result will be. (I mean, the purpose of East was to do the same thing...totally didn't work.)
Jipan: ...whelp, now I feel silly. Pretty sure I saw you several times over the course of PAX.
Great meeting so many gaffers! I wasn't around the show nearly as much this year but caught the closing ceremonies. Anti-climactic Omegathon finale for the second straight year.
The expo lines have gotten out of hand outside of indies but that gave me a chance to roam indies more and discover titles for myself..
What's Mr. Henry's user name? Thought I'd hit him up for some USF4 since we were discussing it and are pretty closely located.
The expo lines have gotten out of hand outside of indies but that gave me a chance to roam indies more and discover titles for myself..
What's Mr. Henry's user name? Thought I'd hit him up for some USF4 since we were discussing it and are pretty closely located.
AlphaTwo00
Member
Creating multiple ones were intended on alleviating some of that, but a)there are people that can afford it and will do both and b)people smartened up to the fact that Prime is still a better convention with newer stuff to see, more to do, and a better location for exploring a city. Somehow, East has managed to lose more panels. I didn't hear much about how Aus worked out, and I question whether this new one will work.
I wouldn't call that transistors 2 hour line "not out of hand".
Omegasquash
Member
I thought you were there! We all got hammered and danced at the Beer Garden. I had to scoot quick, and ended up paying folks back on Saturday for covering the bill on Friday.
It's relative, but I'm impatient and only stopped where I could actually see the screens up close. I'm increasing treating PAX East as a chance to check out table top games and see friends spread thruout the northeast.
AlphaTwo00
Member
That was the on mission for me, spend more time at the tabletop section, and definitely got a few new ideas for games i'd like to make/play later on. Was sort of surprised how packed this year got in that area.
A big reason why I've tried hard (and failed) to stay at the Westin. Could hang around the center since TT runs late and spills over into the hotel (altho they closed this year at midnight instead of 2a, which is another way the show feels more scaled back).
StarCreator
Member
I don't doubt there are people here and there, but I've never personally witnessed it. In any case, it's a far cry from Prime where you literally have 20+ scalpers yelling over each other "GET YOUR PASSES HERE" and 40 others harassing attendees to give their passes up.
You just described all Boston sporting events.
StarCreator
Member
I'm sorry, are we talking about sporting events and not PAX East now?
YuriLowell
Member
I really need to get a hotel close to the convention center next year, planning your day around the bus schedule is terrible.
I thought we were talking about scalping tickets. I'm sorry. What booth had the PAX East ticket selling RTS?