Guys, Let's Go To PAX!

I'm nearly ready to head out to my fourth trip to PAX in Seattle. Yeah,

exciting, I know. If it helps anyone out there, here are a few things

I've learned for how to have a successful PAX.

-Plan ahead. Guidebook is a great app for iPhone and Android that gives

tons of useful information. Many major events use it and PAX does so

very well: all of the convention hall maps are available, detailing

which booths are where, as well as theatres and gaming areas. There's a

full schedule for every panel, tournament, and concert, and you can

check off anything you're interested in to create a custom calendar with

alerts. It's great for panning out an efficient schedule so you can do

as much as you want during the convention, which addresses my next

item...

-You can't do everything. PAX is huge and busy and has long lines (but

some really cool stuff has short lines) and there's just too much going

on to do it all. Seriously, it's not possible. I know I have panels I

want to see happening during tournaments I want to participate in. Be

ready to make some hard choices about what your priorities are.

-Hug an Enforcer. Not literally, unless you ask permission. Enforcers

are amazing people. They're the all-volunteer staff in blue shirts that

makes sure people are safe, not breaking the rules, and are having a

good time. They know about everything that's going on and they're happy

to share that info with you. Enforcers are awesome people.

-Get into some games. PAX is all about games! They're everywhere! Video

games are a huge draw, but there's a ton of tabletop RPGs, board games,

card games, retro games...even the convention hall treasure hunt makes

PAX a game! All sorts of game publishers and developers big and small

bring their stuff to PAX; a lot of the big booths show stuff I know is

coming out in six months, so I love to find the indie games that I've

never even heard of before. Whatever game you're into, somebody else at

PAX probably is too, and they want to play. Bring your portable; PAX is

3DS StreetPass heaven.

-Eat something. I don't know about you, but sometimes I forget to eat

when I'm busy, and at PAX I'm very busy. There are a couple cafes in the

convention center, plus a Subway, a pretty good burrito joint, and there

are loads of restaurants nearby. You're going to be doing a lot of

walking and standing, so get some lunch and maybe carry a snack.

-Wash your hands. With all the humanity in the hall, germs are easy to

spread. Do everyone and yourself a solid by keeping clean and watching

where you sneeze and cough. Elbow bumps are appropriate as a friendly

greeting.

-Your badge is everything. Your badge is not backed up by any kind of

identification, so try not to lose it. And don't be one of those people

who scalps badges at an inflated price. Those people are dicks, and they

deprive someone who passionately wants to be at PAX from doing so. Don't

be a dick.

-Meet people. Big gaming celebrities go to PAX and they're usually

friendly. Sometimes they'll sign autographs. I like to find out who will

be on the floor and bring my copy of their game to autograph. My first

PAX I took a picture with Ed Boon at the Mortal Kombat booth. Be cool

and people will be cool back.

-Bring a bag. Lots of stuff is being sold and given away at PAX, and you

need something to help you haul it around. For a special experience,

just bring one t-shirt with you, and then complete your wardrobe with

free shirts from the show floor. Do not attempt this with underwear.

Hope to see you there!

What I'm Playing:

Main Campaign: Super Mario 3D Land

Side Quest: Super Mario Bros. 2