DagoBot is back with his first report from PAX 2011! We’ll have plenty more where this came from:
I attended my first ever Penny Arcade Convention (PAX to those in the know) about three weeks ago in Seattle. Now, while I’m not a hardcore Con goer, I’m no NOOB either. I have been to other Cons…with the biggest being that one in San Diego. The smallest? Some homebrew ‘Sci Fi’ scuttlebutt where they make the too sexy for the public ‘Slave Leias’ cover up. Or so I’ve heard.
My fascination and wide eyed wonder for video games began in my youth when I was given an Atari 2600 as a birthday gift. Later on I would graduate to a ColecoVision, a Nintendo Entertainment System, A Sega Genesis, A Playstation, An Xbox…well, you get the idea. This is in my DNA. All of it. 8 bit textures, Unreal engines, Side Scrollers, Story driven RPG’s, Action Adventure Shmups and even some shooters (they are not ALL overrated). So, when I got the chance to cover PAX Prime for BSR, I jumped at it. I had heard good things for years about this semi-annual gamer fest and wanted to experience it first hand.
Let’s get you up to speed. Created in 2004, PAX is solely a celebratory gala of gaming culture. An event that gives similar attention to table-top gaming, computer and console gamers. To clarify, there are two PAX events per year. One in Seattle (Pax Prime) and one in Boston (Pax east). Over the weekend you are treated to panels on game industry mythos, hands on play with the newest unreleased titles from indie and major game developers alike, tournaments, open bar parties & musical performances. Since ’04, attendance has gone from around 3,300 enthusiasts to over 70,000 in 2011.
What separates PAX from the other gaming conventions (Gamescon, E3, ETC) is that it’s not simply a ‘trade show’. It’s built from the ground up with ’US’ in mind. You. Me. All of US. That’s what makes this con so remarkable-for an entire weekend you can meet up with thousands upon thousands of like minded individuals and actually PLAY the games. All kinds of games. If you want to peruse the FREE library, one that boasts hundreds and hundred of table top games along with console game lending. You can do that. If you want to wait in Disneyland long lines to get a crack at the exclusive juggernauts of the Fall/Winter onslaught coming this holiday season. You can do that. If you planned ahead and reserved a spot in the gigantor BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer) room to play in what seemed like the heavyweight event of LAN parties. You could do that too. So many options, so little time. And to think you get a three day pass for a mere $60, it really is a steal.
This is just a mini-boss version of what the PAX phenomenon is. At the end of the day, after the all the shopping is done. After gaining experience points for attending the ‘Geek Parenting’ or the ‘Agony and Ecstasy of RPG writing’ panels. After you have iced down your Nintendo Thumb from the intense button mashing of the days events. The reason that PAX was such a blast for me was that I got to embrace part of my geek mana with other people who love these characters, titles and games as much as I do. An itch that I don’t get to scratch to frequently as I should. It was fun to let loose with the crew I was with as well as new friends that I made during the time I was there.
I am already making my plans to return the the Emerald city in 2012. I can’t applaud the people of PAX and the Seattle convention center enough. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. Not only weren’t the ‘Enforcers’ not over the top, but anytime I had a question to find an exhibit hall, a booth or even a bathroom they were professional and polite. IMO, PAX Prime is the place to be. Level up, celebrate your inner gamer & make that pixelated pilgrimage in 2012. You will be better for it.