General: PAX East Impressions

Stradden

MMORPG.com's Joe Iuliani was at this year's Penny Arcade Expo. Today, he writes his impressions of the show and gives us an idea of some of the coverage to come this week.

2:00 pm was the official opening and it was time to release the hounds. To the credit of the PAX East volunteers, the red-shirted Enforcers, it was a very organized chaos. Convention goers made their way to the escalators; the Exhibition Hall was on the second Floor of the Hynes Convention center. Managing to stay just ahead of the rush, I was able to hit the convention floor before the masses. I shamelessly abandoned my co-workers in order to scout the Exhibition Hall. This was my first convention of this nature that I have attended and I wasn't sure what to expect. I had been regaled with tales of booth babes from previous gaming conventions, and I was hell bent to be the first to find them. Not for me you understand, but for you the MMORPG.com readers. No need to thank me, mostly since they didn't exist at this venue, although we have done our best to get a gallery for the readers to get an impression of the PAX East experience.

Read PAX East Impressions.

Sovrath

Though the exhibition area wasn't a large as PAX West (is that what it is referred to now?) There were indeed some interesting things. The gaming tables did indeed look nice and an acquaintance of mine is thinking of buying one. havind said that they were several thousand dollars so a bit steep for many.

I think what I took away from the experience is what was mentioned in the article, that players close to the east coast really needed something like this. The place was packed.

I'm not sure that there was the same amount of newly revealed info as PAX West and not as many games on exhibit but for people who were interested in the panels and the tournements I don't believe they would have been dissapointed.

As far as a larger venue, well that one is tricky. Hynes Convention Center is in a great spot for visitors to the city. There are a lot of restaurants, beautiful Newbury street, close to a lot of culture, the river, etc.

If the convention was moved to the convention center by the wharf area there really wouldn't be alot to do.

edit: I think the table pictured above was something around $8,000

Khalathwyr

Originally posted by Sovrath

Though the exhibition area wasn't a large as PAX West (is that what it is referred to now?) There were indeed some interesting things. The gaming tables did indeed look nice and an acquaintance of mine is thinking of buying one. havind said that they were several thousand dollars so a bit steep for many.

I think what I took away from the experience is what was mentioned in the article, that players close to the east coast really needed something like this. The place was packed.

I'm not sure that there was the same amount of newly revealed info as PAX West and not as many games on exhibit but for people who were interested in the panels and the tournements I don't believe they would have been dissapointed.

As far as a larger venue, well that one is tricky. Hynes Convention Center is in a great spot for visitors to the city. There are a lot of restaurants, beautiful Newbury street, close to a lot of culture, the river, etc.

If the convention was moved to the convention center by the wharf area there really wouldn't be alot to do.

edit: I think the table pictured above was something around $8,000

Players in the middle of the country need things like this probably more desperately. All of the big gaming gathering in which players can attend are held on either the east or west coast. It'd be nice to have one in Dallas, TX or in St. Louis so that we'd get a chance to see industry personas in person. It's much more feasible for us to catch a flight to St. Louis than to the far northern east or west coasts.

I'm really interested to see a transcript of the panel with Garret about the Future of the MMO Scene. I wonder it that will be posted to this site or if anyone else has it would you be kind enough to post or link it here. Video would be an ultimate win.

Oh, and that table is ridiculously awesome. I've been eyeing it for a year or two now. My wife is very lenient with respect to my gaming spending, but I don't think she's that lenient, lol!

MikeB

Originally posted by Khalathwyr

Originally posted by Sovrath

Though the exhibition area wasn't a large as PAX West (is that what it is referred to now?) There were indeed some interesting things. The gaming tables did indeed look nice and an acquaintance of mine is thinking of buying one. havind said that they were several thousand dollars so a bit steep for many.

I think what I took away from the experience is what was mentioned in the article, that players close to the east coast really needed something like this. The place was packed.

I'm not sure that there was the same amount of newly revealed info as PAX West and not as many games on exhibit but for people who were interested in the panels and the tournements I don't believe they would have been dissapointed.

As far as a larger venue, well that one is tricky. Hynes Convention Center is in a great spot for visitors to the city. There are a lot of restaurants, beautiful Newbury street, close to a lot of culture, the river, etc.

If the convention was moved to the convention center by the wharf area there really wouldn't be alot to do.

edit: I think the table pictured above was something around $8,000

Players in the middle of the country need things like this probably more desperately. All of the big gaming gathering in which players can attend are held on either the east or west coast. It'd be nice to have one in Dallas, TX or in St. Louis so that we'd get a chance to see industry personas in person. It's much more feasible for us to catch a flight to St. Louis than to the far northern east or west coasts.

I'm really interested to see a transcript of the panel with Garret about the Future of the MMO Scene. I wonder it that will be posted to this site or if anyone else has it would you be kind enough to post or link it here. Video would be an ultimate win.

Oh, and that table is ridiculously awesome. I've been eyeing it for a year or two now. My wife is very lenient with respect to my gaming spending, but I don't think she's that lenient, lol!

We'll do better than a transcript --  I recorded the whole thing on video. Stay tuned!

Khalathwyr

Originally posted by MikeB

Originally posted by Khalathwyr

Originally posted by Sovrath

Though the exhibition area wasn't a large as PAX West (is that what it is referred to now?) There were indeed some interesting things. The gaming tables did indeed look nice and an acquaintance of mine is thinking of buying one. havind said that they were several thousand dollars so a bit steep for many.

I think what I took away from the experience is what was mentioned in the article, that players close to the east coast really needed something like this. The place was packed.

I'm not sure that there was the same amount of newly revealed info as PAX West and not as many games on exhibit but for people who were interested in the panels and the tournements I don't believe they would have been dissapointed.

As far as a larger venue, well that one is tricky. Hynes Convention Center is in a great spot for visitors to the city. There are a lot of restaurants, beautiful Newbury street, close to a lot of culture, the river, etc.

If the convention was moved to the convention center by the wharf area there really wouldn't be alot to do.

edit: I think the table pictured above was something around $8,000

Players in the middle of the country need things like this probably more desperately. All of the big gaming gathering in which players can attend are held on either the east or west coast. It'd be nice to have one in Dallas, TX or in St. Louis so that we'd get a chance to see industry personas in person. It's much more feasible for us to catch a flight to St. Louis than to the far northern east or west coasts.

I'm really interested to see a transcript of the panel with Garret about the Future of the MMO Scene. I wonder it that will be posted to this site or if anyone else has it would you be kind enough to post or link it here. Video would be an ultimate win.

Oh, and that table is ridiculously awesome. I've been eyeing it for a year or two now. My wife is very lenient with respect to my gaming spending, but I don't think she's that lenient, lol!

We'll do better than a transcript --  I recorded the whole thing on video. Stay tuned!

Oh, nice! Can't wait to see it!

Sovrath

Originally posted by Khalathwyr

Originally posted by Sovrath

Though the exhibition area wasn't a large as PAX West (is that what it is referred to now?) There were indeed some interesting things. The gaming tables did indeed look nice and an acquaintance of mine is thinking of buying one. havind said that they were several thousand dollars so a bit steep for many.

I think what I took away from the experience is what was mentioned in the article, that players close to the east coast really needed something like this. The place was packed.

I'm not sure that there was the same amount of newly revealed info as PAX West and not as many games on exhibit but for people who were interested in the panels and the tournements I don't believe they would have been dissapointed.

As far as a larger venue, well that one is tricky. Hynes Convention Center is in a great spot for visitors to the city. There are a lot of restaurants, beautiful Newbury street, close to a lot of culture, the river, etc.

If the convention was moved to the convention center by the wharf area there really wouldn't be alot to do.

edit: I think the table pictured above was something around $8,000

Players in the middle of the country need things like this probably more desperately. All of the big gaming gathering in which players can attend are held on either the east or west coast. It'd be nice to have one in Dallas, TX or in St. Louis so that we'd get a chance to see industry personas in person. It's much more feasible for us to catch a flight to St. Louis than to the far northern east or west coasts.

I'm really interested to see a transcript of the panel with Garret about the Future of the MMO Scene. I wonder it that will be posted to this site or if anyone else has it would you be kind enough to post or link it here. Video would be an ultimate win.

Oh, and that table is ridiculously awesome. I've been eyeing it for a year or two now. My wife is very lenient with respect to my gaming spending, but I don't think she's that lenient, lol!

 I always thought gencon filled that need, no? I realize it has a lot of board game and role playing game stuff but the one time I went there were lots of video game stuff. WoW, AoC, NC Soft off the top of my head.

Khalathwyr

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by Khalathwyr

Originally posted by Sovrath

Though the exhibition area wasn't a large as PAX West (is that what it is referred to now?) There were indeed some interesting things. The gaming tables did indeed look nice and an acquaintance of mine is thinking of buying one. havind said that they were several thousand dollars so a bit steep for many.

I think what I took away from the experience is what was mentioned in the article, that players close to the east coast really needed something like this. The place was packed.

I'm not sure that there was the same amount of newly revealed info as PAX West and not as many games on exhibit but for people who were interested in the panels and the tournements I don't believe they would have been dissapointed.

As far as a larger venue, well that one is tricky. Hynes Convention Center is in a great spot for visitors to the city. There are a lot of restaurants, beautiful Newbury street, close to a lot of culture, the river, etc.

If the convention was moved to the convention center by the wharf area there really wouldn't be alot to do.

edit: I think the table pictured above was something around $8,000

Players in the middle of the country need things like this probably more desperately. All of the big gaming gathering in which players can attend are held on either the east or west coast. It'd be nice to have one in Dallas, TX or in St. Louis so that we'd get a chance to see industry personas in person. It's much more feasible for us to catch a flight to St. Louis than to the far northern east or west coasts.

I'm really interested to see a transcript of the panel with Garret about the Future of the MMO Scene. I wonder it that will be posted to this site or if anyone else has it would you be kind enough to post or link it here. Video would be an ultimate win.

Oh, and that table is ridiculously awesome. I've been eyeing it for a year or two now. My wife is very lenient with respect to my gaming spending, but I don't think she's that lenient, lol!

 I always thought gencon filled that need, no? I realize it has a lot of board game and role playing game stuff but the one time I went there were lots of video game stuff. WoW, AoC, NC Soft off the top of my head.

That's still the "east" to most of us out here. You don't really hit the "middle" of the country until you hit the Western boder of Illinois. Some love for the area between there and the Western border of Wyoming. I mean, heck, even Denver, CO would be a nice change.

Otakun

Originally posted by Khalathwyr

Originally posted by Sovrath

Though the exhibition area wasn't a large as PAX West (is that what it is referred to now?) There were indeed some interesting things. The gaming tables did indeed look nice and an acquaintance of mine is thinking of buying one. havind said that they were several thousand dollars so a bit steep for many.

I think what I took away from the experience is what was mentioned in the article, that players close to the east coast really needed something like this. The place was packed.

I'm not sure that there was the same amount of newly revealed info as PAX West and not as many games on exhibit but for people who were interested in the panels and the tournements I don't believe they would have been dissapointed.

As far as a larger venue, well that one is tricky. Hynes Convention Center is in a great spot for visitors to the city. There are a lot of restaurants, beautiful Newbury street, close to a lot of culture, the river, etc.

If the convention was moved to the convention center by the wharf area there really wouldn't be alot to do.

edit: I think the table pictured above was something around $8,000

Players in the middle of the country need things like this probably more desperately. All of the big gaming gathering in which players can attend are held on either the east or west coast. It'd be nice to have one in Dallas, TX or in St. Louis so that we'd get a chance to see industry personas in person. It's much more feasible for us to catch a flight to St. Louis than to the far northern east or west coasts.

I'm really interested to see a transcript of the panel with Garret about the Future of the MMO Scene. I wonder it that will be posted to this site or if anyone else has it would you be kind enough to post or link it here. Video would be an ultimate win.

Oh, and that table is ridiculously awesome. I've been eyeing it for a year or two now. My wife is very lenient with respect to my gaming spending, but I don't think she's that lenient, lol!

While it may not be as big but SGC is hosted in Dallas.

Khalathwyr

Originally posted by Otakun

Originally posted by Khalathwyr

Originally posted by Sovrath

Though the exhibition area wasn't a large as PAX West (is that what it is referred to now?) There were indeed some interesting things. The gaming tables did indeed look nice and an acquaintance of mine is thinking of buying one. havind said that they were several thousand dollars so a bit steep for many.

I think what I took away from the experience is what was mentioned in the article, that players close to the east coast really needed something like this. The place was packed.

I'm not sure that there was the same amount of newly revealed info as PAX West and not as many games on exhibit but for people who were interested in the panels and the tournements I don't believe they would have been dissapointed.

As far as a larger venue, well that one is tricky. Hynes Convention Center is in a great spot for visitors to the city. There are a lot of restaurants, beautiful Newbury street, close to a lot of culture, the river, etc.

If the convention was moved to the convention center by the wharf area there really wouldn't be alot to do.

edit: I think the table pictured above was something around $8,000

Players in the middle of the country need things like this probably more desperately. All of the big gaming gathering in which players can attend are held on either the east or west coast. It'd be nice to have one in Dallas, TX or in St. Louis so that we'd get a chance to see industry personas in person. It's much more feasible for us to catch a flight to St. Louis than to the far northern east or west coasts.

I'm really interested to see a transcript of the panel with Garret about the Future of the MMO Scene. I wonder it that will be posted to this site or if anyone else has it would you be kind enough to post or link it here. Video would be an ultimate win.

Oh, and that table is ridiculously awesome. I've been eyeing it for a year or two now. My wife is very lenient with respect to my gaming spending, but I don't think she's that lenient, lol!

While it may not be as big but SGC is hosted in Dallas.

I just looked over the SGC's schedule. I can't believe they they A) invited Uwe Boll and my state is allowing him in it. Course, I do live in the land of W. Bush (lives 30 minutes from me) and Tea Partiers (I'm surrounded) so it's reasonably arguable that my quality level of surroundings may increase.

ArmEagle

 

 

---

I was always convinced that was something that you could do from the comfort of your own home. How wrong I was, I was never a huge tournament player, so I had no idea of the sheer fanaticism of some of these players. Many can be seen hauling full computer rigs across the convention floor. I get aggravated plugging in a new monitor, let alone lugging my system around with me.

---

I was never much of a competitive gamer. But I used to go to 1000+ LAN parties several times a year. And yes, 5ish years ago that meant that everyone carried a PC case, devices (in a bag/crate with other stuff) AND a huge CRT monitor into the building, for just 2 days. These days you can at least carry everything in one haul with just the 2 arms you have.

But those weekend LANs are nothing like how I've spent my last 11 summers. Though it grew over time and seems to be decreasing in visitor amounts lately, we had up to 1700 people camping on a festival ground. Bringing barbeques, beer, fridges, stereo sets, tents, caravans, oh, and computer hardware of course. And that lasts for 11 days now! The name: Campzone(.nl). And no, it's not only just a bunch of nerds. It's a place to camp and relax with friends. And game of course.

 

So, the whole carrying around computer rigs is nothing special to me. Except that I do it to fail at gaming. Though having fun isn't  really failing.

MikeB

Originally posted by Sovrath

Though the exhibition area wasn't a large as PAX West (is that what it is referred to now?) There were indeed some interesting things. The gaming tables did indeed look nice and an acquaintance of mine is thinking of buying one. havind said that they were several thousand dollars so a bit steep for many.

I think what I took away from the experience is what was mentioned in the article, that players close to the east coast really needed something like this. The place was packed.

I'm not sure that there was the same amount of newly revealed info as PAX West and not as many games on exhibit but for people who were interested in the panels and the tournements I don't believe they would have been dissapointed.

As far as a larger venue, well that one is tricky. Hynes Convention Center is in a great spot for visitors to the city. There are a lot of restaurants, beautiful Newbury street, close to a lot of culture, the river, etc.

If the convention was moved to the convention center by the wharf area there really wouldn't be alot to do.

edit: I think the table pictured above was something around $8,000

You were at PAX East? I hope you were at our panel then!

Sovrath

Originally posted by MikeB

 

You were at PAX East? I hope you were at our panel then!

Unfortunatley I wasn't at your panel. That was the journalists vs Developers I take it? (runs and hides in the corner).

I saw mention that you guys were going to be there but by the time I got inside it was 2:50. Next year most assuredly. Though I might also go again to PAX west next year.