WotC was definitely understaffed and a bit chaotic. Their line planning was mismanaged as well. I have no interest in D&D or Magic but they did have one event I was interested in. They created a scoring system for their co-op dungeon crawling board games, Castle Ravenloft and Wrath of Ashardalon. My friends and I attempted the score challenge twice and had a lot of fun with it.
As for having podcasters/fan groups/indie guys setting up their own scene, I think that is where things need to go if PAX is going to stay awesome. We've seen that the BCEC has copious amounts of space. Now it's just a matter of making it happen. I doubt we'll see a ton more passes sold next year since there were already full theaters at most panels, so I'd expect this space to still exist.
PAX was awesome. Jeremy and I had a great time. Next year we are definitely not Enforcing. As much as I love Enforcing, I would rather have more time to hang out with the East Coast Crew. Meeting more new people from the forums was very fun. So much gaming, but still not enough.
Perhaps I'll post more later, but now I'm going to veg out on the couch.
24,000 is the current building max for attendee's. I would infer that the attendance was around 23+, but not 24 or over.
Really? That's less than a lot of convention centers. The BCC in Baltimore handily handles just shy of 30k bodies. (That's where we originally suggested PAX East be held: it's an awesome convention center in a terrible city).
Really? That's less than a lot of convention centers. The BCC in Baltimore handily handles just shy of 30k bodies. (That's where we originally suggested PAX East be held: it's an awesome convention center in a terrible city).
I had a much more pleasant experience in the BCEC than I ever had in the BCC. The BCC may handle more people, but the BCEC handled its capacity much better.
The BCC may handle more people, but the BCEC handled its capacity much better.
I think the BCEC has a strangely and arbitrarily low upper limit on bodies that will hurt PAX in the long run. TWO of the three main rooms this year were effectively unused and empty for most of the con.
Also, the BCC could handle the crowds better with different crowds/demographics than, say, Otakon's, coupled with better use of space. PAX doesn't have the COSplay problem either, and has more spaces that will keep people there rather than wandering the halls.
The BCC also has the arena next door, which would assure that a full 11,000 PAX Attendees could see any Main Event. It also has food available.
I'm pretty confused about the space of the BCEC compared to the BCC.
On Wikipedia it states the BCC has a "Total space of 1,225,000 sqft" and the BCEC has "516,000 square feet". But those numbers don't really seem to add up to to me. The BCEC seemed way bigger. Or did it just have a better layout and use of it's space?
I think the BCEC has a strangely and arbitrarily low upper limit on bodies that will hurt PAX in the long run. TWO of the three main rooms this year were effectively unused and empty for most of the con.
They could definitely spread out the exbo hall some, that place was packed.
On Wikipedia it states the BCC has a "Total space of 1,225,000 sqft" and the BCEC has "516,000 square feet". But those numbers don't really seem to add up to to me. The BCEC seemed way bigger. Or did it just have a better layout and use of it's space?
I think the BCC is definitely larger. The BCEC definitely has better space utilization.
EDIT: Hm. Wikipedia says that the BCEC has 516,00 square feet of "continuous exhibition space," whereas the BCC has 1.2 million "total square feet" and 300k square feet of "exhibition space."
It had a few large rooms. The BCC is sprawling with many differently-sized spaces, plus the Hilton expansion that was recently completed.
On Wikipedia it states the BCC has a "Total space of 1,225,000 sqft" and the BCEC has "516,000 square feet".
We told them straight up that Baltimore had the biggest and best convention center on the East Coast. ;^) I was genuinely surprised that they even considered Boston considering the scale that is possible. Otakon is still bigger than PAX, and apparently always will be (unless it implodes someday) unless PAX moves.
Of course, PAX's contract with Boston might well expire after another PAX East. I doubt they'd move, but they could. If I were them, I would use that as leverage against Boston to accommodate them more. Baltimore is desperate for money, and Otakon is a HUGE contributor to the local economy. PAX's much older and more affluent demographics would be a Baltimore wet dream, and the city would bend over backward to get PAX at any price.
Did anyone notice the very large open (ballroom?) space underneath the Westin? There were windows on the corner and side of the Westin buidling, facing the direction opposite from the BCEC. I wonder if expanding operations to include the hotel, ala Sheraton at PAX Prime could allow them to sell passes over the BCEC cap.
Those limit numbers may change, we shall see. This was the largest convention held at the BCEC in terms of attendance. Since it went well we will be looking into things.
I don't want to see PAX add more attendee's than it has now, I just want to see freshness, new content, refinement of what works, eliminate what doesn't.
We don't have, and won't ever have, a massive volunteer staff. The larger we get the worse the con will get, in my opinion.
Those limit numbers may change, we shall see. This was the largest convention held at the BCEC in terms of attendance. Since it went well we will be looking into things.
The BCEC is relatively new and untested by anyone. Boston took a big gamble on building it. I wouldn't be surprised if they have no idea what its real maximum capacity is.
We don't have, and won't ever have, a massive volunteer staff. The larger we get the worse the con will get, in my opinion.
If PAX grows substantially, what would have to change is the final use of Enforcers. If I had my say, I would use Enforcers for everything that required common sense, intelligence, and responsibility, rewarding them as they currently are rewarded (maybe a little more hotel compensation or the like).
But, I would contract out the menial manual labor much more. Water bottles, lugging, unpacking non-technical equipment, unloading: hire laborers for all of that and reserve the Enforcers for where their dedication and skill is truly necessary. Hired help manning the line or running the theater would be a disaster to the con's culture and awesomeness. Hired help lugging program books around on pallets would be invisible to attendees.
The guards also told me that there are plans to expand the center. That won't help next year or probably for afew years.
Yea, I read an article about that.
I don't want to see PAX add more attendee's than it has now, I just want to see freshness, new content, refinement of what works, eliminate what doesn't.
PAX is already big, if you wanted a intimate convention they started out the completely wrong way.
I don't want to see PAX add more attendee's than it has now, I just want to see freshness, new content, refinement of what works, eliminate what doesn't.
For next year at least, I agree strongly! I just sent Heels a large list of suggestions for extra content that wouldn't be Enforcer-intensive. Art show, BYOA, moderated panels, modifications to tabletop, and a bunch of other things. This year was the year to see if the BCEC worked: next year is the year to use all that extra space for awesome.
That limit does seem arbitrarily low, given that half the main floor was almost entirely unused during the convention. Here's hoping that PAXE can convince the BCEC to raise their headcount limit. For next con, they should definitely use that cafeteria/queue room better during the next con - extend the expo hall and tabletop to cover more of the main floor, maybe move one of the console or PC freeplay areas down there too to get more panel space. They do need that big queue area at the beginning of the day (I saw it fill halfway up or so early Sunday morning), but after the con starts they can move tables in and use it as auxiliary Tabletop.
For me, I feel like I spent too much time moving around and not enough time gaming. I never even went into console or PC freeplay, and only saw maybe a third of expo hall. Next time I need to devote more time to the Indie showcase, go to the concerts, and just find random people in Tabletop to play with. EDIT: I probably won't have time for any of that though, because I think I might try my hand at Enforcing next year.
The World Trade Center Boston, which is connected to the Seaport Boston, has a bit over 100k square feet of exhibit space. While it's a walk from the BCEC to the WTCB, that'd be a way to expand the con.
Of course, if the con isn't looking to expand, the point is moot.
For next year at least, I agree strongly! I just sent Heels a large list of suggestions for extra content that wouldn't be Enforcer-intensive. Art show, BYOA, moderated panels, modifications to tabletop, and a bunch of other things. This year was the year to see if the BCEC worked: next year is the year to use all that extra space for awesome.
One thing that both Nuri and I missed this year was an event similar to the Of Dice and Men reading/performance. Something closely related to gaming, yet different than the usual fare.
I have a suggestion in that regard: Tripod versus the Dragon, which is the comedy nerd-opera that Nuri, Wyatt, Moe, and I all went to see at the Mass MoCCA that one time. If you're not familiar with Tripod, they're an Australian musical comedy group with a generally nerdy theme.
Everyone should watch this, and then I think you'll agree that it's a perfect fit for PAX. The trick is getting PAX to notice them and bring them over. I'm pretty sure it costs way less than 8 figures to bring Tripod over here.
Rym, I'm thinking of buying a couple of copies of this DVD. If I can get you to watch it - and you in fact agree that it is awesome - do you think you could take a shot at shilling this at PAX Prime?
Rym, I'm thinking of buying a couple of copies of this DVD. If I can get you to watch it - and you in fact agree that it is awesome - do you think you could take a shot at shilling this at PAX Prime?
I plan to already, for Prime or the next East. I'm pushing hard for better content in the panel rooms.
This was my first PAX and first gaming con. I'm still kinda processing the awesome in my head. It's hard for me to see the flaws in the convention like the rest of you, because a lack of comparison to other PAXes. I could compare them to anime cons, but it doesn't really seem fair. They just differ so much, but I am really leaning to the PAX way of things.
Anyway, meeting lots of new friends, meeting online ones and seeing some of you again was the highlight my con. Also, basically spending 7+ hours playing in tabletop and then another few hours playing in the cafeteria on Saturday. Did I mention I am a board game geek. This was my heaven. BOARD GAME ENLIGHTENMENT! I also bought Ascension because of Will introducing it to me (and for cheaper thanks to Jeremy!) and Spot it because playing that with Pete, Nuri, George and folks was hilarious. I was apprehensive at first, but now I have PCD so bad right now.
After this weekend I feel refreshed and remotivated. I was heading for a breakdown, but now I'm all "YEAH LET'S DO IT!" Thank you guys for being awesome.
After this weekend I feel refreshed and remotivated. I was heading for a breakdown, but now I'm all "YEAH LET'S DO IT!" Thank you guys for being awesome.
Awesome
I am still in "I'M FUCKING TIRED" mode. Good thing I don't do anything at work that people actually rely on.
Comments
As for having podcasters/fan groups/indie guys setting up their own scene, I think that is where things need to go if PAX is going to stay awesome. We've seen that the BCEC has copious amounts of space. Now it's just a matter of making it happen. I doubt we'll see a ton more passes sold next year since there were already full theaters at most panels, so I'd expect this space to still exist.
PAX was awesome. Jeremy and I had a great time. Next year we are definitely not Enforcing. As much as I love Enforcing, I would rather have more time to hang out with the East Coast Crew. Meeting more new people from the forums was very fun. So much gaming, but still not enough.
Perhaps I'll post more later, but now I'm going to veg out on the couch.
169 attendees per enforcer.
69.5k attendees/3 gives us 23,167.
23167 attendees/169 attendees per Enforcer = 137 Enforcers.
That's probably about right. So, PAXE had around 24,000 attendees and around 140 Enforcers.
Add in all the staff, exhibitors, panelist, etc etc and we were probably at 24ish.
Also, the BCC could handle the crowds better with different crowds/demographics than, say, Otakon's, coupled with better use of space. PAX doesn't have the COSplay problem either, and has more spaces that will keep people there rather than wandering the halls.
The BCC also has the arena next door, which would assure that a full 11,000 PAX Attendees could see any Main Event. It also has food available.
On Wikipedia it states the BCC has a "Total space of 1,225,000 sqft" and the BCEC has "516,000 square feet". But those numbers don't really seem to add up to to me. The BCEC seemed way bigger. Or did it just have a better layout and use of it's space?
EDIT: Hm. Wikipedia says that the BCEC has 516,00 square feet of "continuous exhibition space," whereas the BCC has 1.2 million "total square feet" and 300k square feet of "exhibition space."
We told them straight up that Baltimore had the biggest and best convention center on the East Coast. ;^) I was genuinely surprised that they even considered Boston considering the scale that is possible. Otakon is still bigger than PAX, and apparently always will be (unless it implodes someday) unless PAX moves.
Of course, PAX's contract with Boston might well expire after another PAX East. I doubt they'd move, but they could. If I were them, I would use that as leverage against Boston to accommodate them more. Baltimore is desperate for money, and Otakon is a HUGE contributor to the local economy. PAX's much older and more affluent demographics would be a Baltimore wet dream, and the city would bend over backward to get PAX at any price.
I don't want to see PAX add more attendee's than it has now, I just want to see freshness, new content, refinement of what works, eliminate what doesn't.
We don't have, and won't ever have, a massive volunteer staff. The larger we get the worse the con will get, in my opinion.
If PAX grows substantially, what would have to change is the final use of Enforcers. If I had my say, I would use Enforcers for everything that required common sense, intelligence, and responsibility, rewarding them as they currently are rewarded (maybe a little more hotel compensation or the like).
But, I would contract out the menial manual labor much more. Water bottles, lugging, unpacking non-technical equipment, unloading: hire laborers for all of that and reserve the Enforcers for where their dedication and skill is truly necessary. Hired help manning the line or running the theater would be a disaster to the con's culture and awesomeness. Hired help lugging program books around on pallets would be invisible to attendees.
For next con, they should definitely use that cafeteria/queue room better during the next con - extend the expo hall and tabletop to cover more of the main floor, maybe move one of the console or PC freeplay areas down there too to get more panel space. They do need that big queue area at the beginning of the day (I saw it fill halfway up or so early Sunday morning), but after the con starts they can move tables in and use it as auxiliary Tabletop.
For me, I feel like I spent too much time moving around and not enough time gaming. I never even went into console or PC freeplay, and only saw maybe a third of expo hall. Next time I need to devote more time to the Indie showcase, go to the concerts, and just find random people in Tabletop to play with.
EDIT: I probably won't have time for any of that though, because I think I might try my hand at Enforcing next year.
Of course, if the con isn't looking to expand, the point is moot.
I have a suggestion in that regard: Tripod versus the Dragon, which is the comedy nerd-opera that Nuri, Wyatt, Moe, and I all went to see at the Mass MoCCA that one time. If you're not familiar with Tripod, they're an Australian musical comedy group with a generally nerdy theme.
Everyone should watch this, and then I think you'll agree that it's a perfect fit for PAX. The trick is getting PAX to notice them and bring them over. I'm pretty sure it costs way less than 8 figures to bring Tripod over here.
Rym, I'm thinking of buying a couple of copies of this DVD. If I can get you to watch it - and you in fact agree that it is awesome - do you think you could take a shot at shilling this at PAX Prime?
Also, you should watch that DVD, because the show was super fucking awesome and I imagine it only got better as they performed it more.
Anyway, meeting lots of new friends, meeting online ones and seeing some of you again was the highlight my con. Also, basically spending 7+ hours playing in tabletop and then another few hours playing in the cafeteria on Saturday. Did I mention I am a board game geek. This was my heaven. BOARD GAME ENLIGHTENMENT! I also bought Ascension because of Will introducing it to me (and for cheaper thanks to Jeremy!) and Spot it because playing that with Pete, Nuri, George and folks was hilarious. I was apprehensive at first, but now I have PCD so bad right now.
I am still in "I'M FUCKING TIRED" mode. Good thing I don't do anything at work that people actually rely on.