Can't remember if I posted here or not, but it's 99% confirmed that my efforts to get FFG back at PAX were successful. They'll be running a demo booth, and official Netrunner and X-Wing tournaments. This part is less confirmed, but the demo coordinator mentioned them usually having tourney kits w/ swag reserved for convention tourneys.
Can't remember if I posted here or not, but it's 99% confirmed that my efforts to get FFG back at PAX were successful. They'll be running a demo booth, and official Netrunner and X-Wing tournaments. This part is less confirmed, but the demo coordinator mentioned them usually having tourney kits w/ swag reserved for convention tourneys.
Yesssss. This is good.
Buuuut, they need to get the word out about these things sooner. If they would have mentioned this months ago, people would have bought tickets and hotels and such.
Yup. I only made first contact w/ FFG at the end of Nov. Pushing to get it from 99% to 100% (basically all they have to do is settle their balance w/ Reed), so events will be added to PAX South website, Guidebook, etc. They already missed the printed program (which nobody reads).
I'm pushing to get green light to promote the tourneys next week regardless, since badges are going to sell out.
South did not expand into the other half of the Henry Gonzo, nor is the new construction half ready to host conventions (the old half will be torn down when the replacement new half is ready).
PAX South did not expand by even close to the amount that East did between years 1 and 2. We may be at peak PAX.
Correction: The Queue Hall did expand into the unused hall (which housed some sort of jewelry show last year), being that Tabletop moved into the area previously occupied by the queue hall. Both of those halls will be knocked down later this year to make room for two new halls, so South's available space total isn't growing much. The total growth is around 80,000 square feet, and it will all be contiguous.
Pulling up the public floorplans shows you this is an approximate 15% reduction in Tabletop space. The vendors didn't explode in count, though, so the reduction in table space shouldn't be more than 15%. If they didn't sell much more badges (I have no idea), it won't be felt, since last year was a sea of open tables.
That is all too true. The "no direct flights" problem is particularly killer for San Antonio. This is the year that San Antonio must learn How to PAX, if they want to pull in interesting exhibitors, recruit Enforcers who can live up to the [E] standard, etc.
I likely won't be able to do South and East back to back every year, especially since I've fallen in love with BGG.CON in November. I will be choosing East. South is so much more relaxing, and I enjoyed the non-crowded expo hall. I actually discovered cool new games last year! But there are too many people I'd miss meeting up with at East
Yeah, San Antonio is only good for locals. The fact that there aren't real flights to/from SAT is a big deal that is causing serious problems for me on the way out (since I'm flying to Boston Sunday to start a ski trip).
Even the nerdiest people are not so dedicated that they would travel to a whole bunch of conventions every year. One or two is enough for them. Babies. I got four conventions in four months to start off the year. What are you going to be doing on those weekends? Laundry?
Last year's South 2015 was better than East 2015 for the things I like to do at PAX - play tabletop games, eat food, and absorb the atmosphere of the expo hall. I also got to walk around and see that crazy observation tower.
Downsides: getting to and from the airport requires a shuttle or taxi. Nowhere to buy queer comics. Keynote and Omegathon felt a little too low-key - I like that the rest of the con is low-key, but I want a lot of pomp and circumstance for those events.
Remind yourself, as you do the laundry, you could have been at a PAX instead. Then check your social network of choice to see that I am in fact at a PAX while you are loading the dryer.
Pro-tier: Drop off your laundry at work and have it done by the free laundry service while you PAX. It's pretty nice.
Pro-tier high five! Of course, my work isn't doing it, but I am paying a very small fee to have the Greek lady downstairs do it.
Of course, there is one tier above us pro players. The God-tier. Be so rich that you can bring your laundry to PAX and pay the hotel to clean and fold it all perfectly.
FSM-tier: Same as God-Tier except you pay the airline to do it.
Even the nerdiest people are not so dedicated that they would travel to a whole bunch of conventions every year. One or two is enough for them. Babies. I got four conventions in four months to start off the year. What are you going to be doing on those weekends? Laundry?
I have a set number of my go tos but the list is currently in flux.
The Hype Train is leaving the station. I've got everything booked for my post-PAX trip to Louisiana, and I'm more excited for that than for PAX. And I'm real excited for PAX.
Comments
Buuuut, they need to get the word out about these things sooner. If they would have mentioned this months ago, people would have bought tickets and hotels and such.
I'm pushing to get green light to promote the tourneys next week regardless, since badges are going to sell out.
South did not expand into the other half of the Henry Gonzo, nor is the new construction half ready to host conventions (the old half will be torn down when the replacement new half is ready).
PAX South did not expand by even close to the amount that East did between years 1 and 2. We may be at peak PAX.
Correction: The Queue Hall did expand into the unused hall (which housed some sort of jewelry show last year), being that Tabletop moved into the area previously occupied by the queue hall. Both of those halls will be knocked down later this year to make room for two new halls, so South's available space total isn't growing much. The total growth is around 80,000 square feet, and it will all be contiguous.
Pulling up the public floorplans shows you this is an approximate 15% reduction in Tabletop space. The vendors didn't explode in count, though, so the reduction in table space shouldn't be more than 15%. If they didn't sell much more badges (I have no idea), it won't be felt, since last year was a sea of open tables.
I likely won't be able to do South and East back to back every year, especially since I've fallen in love with BGG.CON in November. I will be choosing East. South is so much more relaxing, and I enjoyed the non-crowded expo hall. I actually discovered cool new games last year! But there are too many people I'd miss meeting up with at East
They both have bullshit bag searches now.
Downsides: getting to and from the airport requires a shuttle or taxi. Nowhere to buy queer comics. Keynote and Omegathon felt a little too low-key - I like that the rest of the con is low-key, but I want a lot of pomp and circumstance for those events.
Of course, there is one tier above us pro players. The God-tier. Be so rich that you can bring your laundry to PAX and pay the hotel to clean and fold it all perfectly.
FSM-tier: Same as God-Tier except you pay the airline to do it.
Scott, please never change.
PAX Prime
PAX East
PAX South
PAX Aus
Magfest
ConnectiCon
Anime Boston
Zenkaikon
MoCCA Fest
We've dropped a LOT of conventions from the rotation over the years.
PAX South
PAX Prime
Dragon*Con
Besides FreeMarket, I'll also bring Fiasco and InSpectres, as they're quick pickup rpgs.