Penny Arcade Expo 2009

[plasticbathmonki]

The true successor to E3 (sorry, e for all, but you aren't), PAX 2009 will be Spet. 4-6 (Labor Day weekend...one of the worst times to travel :cry:). I've decided to bite the bullet and travel to Seattle for this year's event . Anyone else heading that way?

For those interested, preregistration is already open ($50 for all 3 days), but no hotel info just yet.

[SpecTrE3353]

I will be there again this year (attended in 2007 as well). It was a ton of fun last time.

In general I notice a very lackluster and/or negative reception to people on CAG when PAX get mentioned so I wouldn't expect you will get a lot of responses sharing your enthusiasm in this thread (if any responses at all) :/

Here is the official forum if you're looking for more enthused people :)

http://forums.penny-arcade.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26

[Radioactive_Man]

I went last year and am prolly going to go again this year with my friends. I had such a great time, the giantbomb panel was worth it.

[cochesecochese]

Are they going to have an East Coast event this year?

[Maklershed]

I don't think thats happening until 2010 in Boston. I'd like to go to that when the time comes.

[cochesecochese]

I will see you there!

[FloodsAreUponUS]

I am probably going to both Pax's the West Coast and East Coast one.

[Shady3011]

I'm going this year for the first time. Been wanting to go since the first one.

[doctorfaustus]

I'm really considering taking the plunge and just going to my first PAX. Anyone taking the West Coast Train Trip?

[Fragonard]

I will hopefully be going, but it will all depend on my work situation. Mass overtime incoming! Luckily, I live in Seattle, so I could go for one day if nothing else.

[MarkMan]

I'll be there.

Got some shit to do there. ;)

[doctorfaustus]

@markman
I'm guessing you're entering a fighting tourney?

[MarkMan]

Nope. I'd like to if I have time though. More of a business trip for me.

[Maklershed]

I wish business trips involved gaming expos for me. :(

[xeno]

Ill be there, its going be alot of fun.

[doctorfaustus]

Ill be there, its going be alot of fun.

Any tips for a first-timer?

[heavyd853]

I live about 5 miles away from where its being held, so I might as well right?

[Radioactive_Man]

i'm still on for going and my buddies are still going. I can't wait for PAX. Last year I had such a good time. My buddies and I are going to be in the area longer this time so we can go out to the local bars. It's also going to help that this time we get a hotel a block away from the convention. If anyone wants to meet up at pax and chill or even after the shows over and go out drinking let me know. I'm always down for meeting new peeps.

[B:L]

I'll be there.

Got some shit to do there. ;)

Nice. :lol:

See you there, Mark. Lemme know if you need my help as an enforcer, I'll likely be helping out around Console Tournament. ;)

[doctorfaustus]

So Mark's going to be an enforcers? Neat. He gets to punch nerds in the stomach.

[pete5883]

I think Mr. Man means he has promotion to do.

[SpecTrE3353]

Someone should set up a time/place one of the nights where CAG's can meet up. I'm sure there will be a lot of us there.

[MarkMan]

I am 100% confirmed to go now. I'll be there from the 3rd - 7th.

I'll be at the Namco Bandai Games booth the whole time pretty much. Look for me in the TEKKEN 6 area! I'll be with the other SD TEKKEN guys wearing the SDT/TEKKEN shirts !

[MSUHitman]

The RagTag CAG's confirmed to be going are myself, shan82, darkbossman, chase, woodan, and Ow3n.

[asianxcore]

I'm about 80% sure I'll be there. Will know by Saturday, since that's the deadline my buddy and I set for the trip.

We will be staying for a week, mostly because we haven't been to Seattle before.

HEAVYD hit me up with your contact info!! :)

[B:L]

I'm helping to run console tournament, and I've been an enforcer every year since PAX started, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have and I'll try to answer them.

Also, sign up for Soul Calibur IV on Friday!

[doctorfaustus]

It's three weeks away. Getting very pumped!

[MSUHitman]

I'm helping to run console tournament, and I've been an enforcer every year since PAX started, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have and I'll try to answer them.

Also, sign up for Soul Calibur IV on Friday!

What systems are the fighting game tournaments (SC IV and SF IV specifically) on?

Is it bring your own stick or will sticks be at the show?

For the open console play, I'm assuming TV's are provided, but it would be bring your own console, right?

[B:L]

What systems are the fighting game tournaments (SC IV and SF IV specifically) on?

Is it bring your own stick or will sticks be at the show?

For the open console play, I'm assuming TV's are provided, but it would be bring your own console, right?

The fighting games will be on the Xbox 360. Standard 360 wired controllers will be provided, but I highly advise that you bring your own stick, since sticks and convertors will not be provided.

For open console play, TVs are provided but you must reserve a spot with the staff at the console freeplay area. If you bring your own console, that is fine, but please check it in with the staff first at the checkout desk.


There will also be contests and challenges in the console freeplay rooms, but I don't know the details yet. All I know is that it'll involve prizes. :bouncy:

[gamingninja]

I'll be there. I only live like 15 miles away. I can't wait!

[DunckTheFunk]

Me, my friend, and his dad will be driving from Vancouver to Seattle on Thursday. We're staying at the Red Lion Hotel, which is like a block away from the convention centre. I can't wait to see the Brodeo Reunion!

[MSUHitman]

The fighting games will be on the Xbox 360. Standard 360 wired controllers will be provided, but I highly advise that you bring your own stick, since sticks and convertors will not be provided.

For open console play, TVs are provided but you must reserve a spot with the staff at the console freeplay area. If you bring your own console, that is fine, but please check it in with the staff first at the checkout desk.


There will also be contests and challenges in the console freeplay rooms, but I don't know the details yet. All I know is that it'll involve prizes. :bouncy:

Thanks and a couple of more questions:

So consoles will be provided so we don't have to bring our own? Also do we have to bring our own games or not?

And there's no PS3's at all in the console area? Who's bright idea was that?

Not meaning to be mean but it's so frustrating because all my fighting stuff is on PS3 because that's supposed to be the "main tourney" console on fighting games (see Evo) but I have more active friends on the 360 than the PS3 and now all the PAX stuff is on 360,

[B:L]

Thanks and a couple of more questions:

So consoles will be provided so we don't have to bring our own? Also do we have to bring our own games or not?

And there's no PS3's at all in the console area? Who's bright idea was that?

Not meaning to be mean but it's so frustrating because all my fighting stuff is on PS3 because that's supposed to be the "main tourney" console on fighting games (see Evo) but I have more active friends on the 360 than the PS3 and now all the PAX stuff is on 360,

Consoles can be provided and checked out. I believe this year they're dividing things into two sections; regular console freeplay for next gen system and classic console freeplay with NES and older systems available.

Console Freeplay and Console Tournament will be separate areas.

Console tournament will not be using PS3s due to technical issues. The rules and tournament schedule are located here:
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=96888


PAX is a bit more mainstream oriented than EVO, so there's reason to host it on the 360. It will avoid the major technical issues that EVO had, mainly controller synching and the "You Have Not Earned a Trophy" notification which blocks the life bar and lags button inputs. There will be plenty of like-minded gamers there, so it's possible to borrow a stick from them, or even from me if I'm not currently playing or waiting to play.

[asianxcore]

So apparently Seattle Gameworks has Tekken 6, Blazblue, TvC, and SFIV.

If I end up going with one of my friends, anyone down for CAG meetup/hang out at Gameworks for some FG's?

[xeno]

FYE there are less then 1,500 passes left.

[asianxcore]

FYE there are less then 1,500 passes left.

Looks like the cutoff time to get Passes in the mail is August 15th (Saturday)

So does that mean I have all of the 15th to get them?

[DunckTheFunk]

Looks like the cutoff time to get Passes in the mail is August 15th (Saturday)

So does that mean I have all of the 15th to get them?

It does if you want them mailed to you. But because I live in Canada they don't ship there (who does these days?) so we just have to go down to the convention centre thursday night and pick them up at will call.

[doctorfaustus]

Some people in seattle have already been getting their passes in the mail! It's getting close!

[asianxcore]

It does if you want them mailed to you. But because I live in Canada they don't ship there (who does these days?) so we just have to go down to the convention centre thursday night and pick them up at will call.

Thanks for the heads up.

My buddy and I ordered our passes today around 11am PST. Hopefully that'll mean we'll get our passes mailed to us. If not, I guess we can always print out the tickets for backup?

[MSUHitman]

Consoles can be provided and checked out. I believe this year they're dividing things into two sections; regular console freeplay for next gen system and classic console freeplay with NES and older systems available.

Console Freeplay and Console Tournament will be separate areas.

Console tournament will not be using PS3s due to technical issues. The rules and tournament schedule are located here:
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=96888


PAX is a bit more mainstream oriented than EVO, so there's reason to host it on the 360. It will avoid the major technical issues that EVO had, mainly controller synching and the "You Have Not Earned a Trophy" notification which blocks the life bar and lags button inputs. There will be plenty of like-minded gamers there, so it's possible to borrow a stick from them, or even from me if I'm not currently playing or waiting to play.

Sorry I keep asking questions but the Penny Arcade forums are down.

Do you have to provide your own games? Or will there be a small selection of certain ones?

What is the checkout process? Do you have to leave your Driver's License/CC at the station or is there a hold put on your cc?

Huh I didn't hear about any problems at Evo. You mean to tell me I'm screwed now and everything fighting wise is going to be on 360 from now on? I can't afford to have everything for both systems and I need to know what system to own this type of games on.

[B:L]

Sorry I keep asking questions but the Penny Arcade forums are down.

Do you have to provide your own games? Or will there be a small selection of certain ones?

What is the checkout process? Do you have to leave your Driver's License/CC at the station or is there a hold put on your cc?

Huh I didn't hear about any problems at Evo. You mean to tell me I'm screwed now and everything fighting wise is going to be on 360 from now on? I can't afford to have everything for both systems and I need to know what system to own this type of games on.

Oh, don't worry about asking questions. That's what I'm here for. ;)

From what I recall last year, reserving a TV spot was done via a ticketing system, like at the DMV or a supermarket. I'm not exactly what occurs at checkout, but I would think that they will note down your ID.

There will be a library of games available, donations by enforcers and attendees alike. The selection is usually good, they have newer gen stuff (PS2/GC/XBox and onwards) ranging from Halo to Katamari. But if you want to play a certain game, it's usually a good idea to bring your own copy.


As for the PS3 vs 360 fighting game argument, it's very likely that most major fighting game tournaments will remain on the PS3, just for the controller/joystick compatability alone. But that's just my estimates.

[B:L]

BUMP

Why? Because the schedule and maps are up!

SCHEDULE
http://www.paxsite.com/schedule.php

MAP OF PAX & EXPO
http://www.destructoid.com/take-a-lo...r-144132.phtml

[asianxcore]

BUMP

Why? Because the schedule and maps are up!

SCHEDULE
http://www.paxsite.com/schedule.php


So excited about the "I Got Next" Panel/Showing.

I watched the 45 minute Short Cut which was great, so I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing the longer version.

[xeno]

Some people in seattle have already been getting their passes in the mail! It's getting close!

mine should be here on Monday :bouncy:( i live outside of seattle...) anyway are we going to do a CAG meetup?

[doctorfaustus]

I'm up for an awkward CAG meetup. But I'm not really the type to organize these things.

[xeno]

two more weeks ! anyone else psyched?

[MarkMan]

I'm confirmed to be there with some friends helping Namco Bandai out with stuff.

Meet up at the Namco Bandai area <3 ?

[zenprime]

I'm in on this! Damnit, I hope they mail out the passes I ordered since they were just before the deadline.

I'm up for a meet up at the Namco Bandai Area.

[asianxcore]

Among all the vendors/companies, Namco (and Capcom) are my first two stops.

If I ordered tickets the morning of the 15th, should I be expecting my pass in the mail? Or do I have to pick it up at the location listed on the PAX site?

[xeno]

Among all the vendors/companies, Namco (and Capcom) are my first two stops.

If I ordered tickets the morning of the 15th, should I be expecting my pass in the mail? Or do I have to pick it up at the location listed on the PAX site?

You might have to go to the location listed on the PAX site, but id email them if i was you.

[doctorfaustus]

I'm confirmed to be there with some friends helping Namco Bandai out with stuff.

Meet up at the Namco Bandai area <3 ?

That sounds cool. Can we get some preferential treatment for showing up as a CAG group to support one of our own? :)

[asianxcore]

You might have to go to the location listed on the PAX site, but id email them if i was you.

Thanks. I went ahead and did that.

Going to be up there for a week so I should start planning stuff.

[MSUHitman]

3-day passes officially sold out completely. Only single day passes left.

[xeno]

I'm sure that those single day passes will sell out fast also.

[asianxcore]

My friend and I ordered our passes on the 15th, but good news is that they were being mailed out yesterday :)

Can't wait for PAX and to hang out in Seattle for a week.

[zenprime]

Is anyone else going to the PS.Blog meetup/MAG thing as well?

[asianxcore]

My friend and I got our 3-Day Passes in the mail today. Amazing

Too excited

[heavyd853]

Damn, looks like I'm not going saturday since single days and day of passes for sat sold out. I do have the other two days though.

[MarkMan]

Here's some info on the TEKKEN 6 tournaments at the NAMCO BANDAI Games booth at PAX:


EVERYDAY SEPT. 4 - 6

No Player Limit
Single Elimination
2/3 Matches

Signups - 10AM - 1 PM
Tournament Begins - 1 PM
Tournament Finals - 5 PM

Awesome prizes/giveaways throughout each day! Make sure you guys enter!

[asianxcore]

Damn, looks like I'm not going saturday since single days and day of passes for sat sold out. I do have the other two days though.

Dang. I believe the screening/panel for "I Got Next" is on Saturday too.

Also I'd join up on the T6 tourney but I am awful at Tekken :)

[gamingninja]

got my 3 day pass today woohoo

[MSUHitman]

Here's some info on the TEKKEN 6 tournaments at the NAMCO BANDAI Games booth at PAX:


EVERYDAY SEPT. 4 - 6

No Player Limit
Single Elimination
2/3 Matches

Signups - 10AM - 1 PM
Tournament Begins - 1 PM
Tournament Finals - 5 PM

Awesome prizes/giveaways throughout each day! Make sure you guys enter!

Are those on PS3 or 360? Also is it bring your own stick/pad or will you be using the new Tekken sticks or maybe the MadCatz ones?

[MSUHitman]

Is anyone else going to the PS.Blog meetup/MAG thing as well?

I wish I was but I didn't see that until it was too late. Maybe I can go to the Sony booth on Friday and use my podcast skills and get a late invite to it. :)

[xeno]

6 more days!

[MarkMan]

Are those on PS3 or 360? Also is it bring your own stick/pad or will you be using the new Tekken sticks or maybe the MadCatz ones?

I'll confirm this tomorrow!

No Mad Catz sticks at the booth though unless you bring your own.

[zenprime]

My badges finally came! Or at least they did sometime last week. Need to get my mail more often.

[doctorfaustus]

PAX is officially sold out. Nothing left.

[asianxcore]

PAX is officially sold out. Nothing left.

That's insane. They were out of 3-Day, Friday and Saturday passes today. Guessing they sold the rest of the Sunday passes the rest of today?

Glad my friend and I got our 3-Day passes early. Definitely looking forward to our flight/trip to Seattle this Thursday.

[xeno]

PAX is officially sold out. Nothing left.

Oh shit!

[MarkMan]

http://www.capcom-unity.com/s-kill/blog/2009/08/31/new_street_fighter_iv_mad_catz_femme_fatale_tourna ment_edition_sticks

ignore the press release, just look at the pics.

[xeno]

ooo that stick looks awsome.

[MarkMan]

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs181.snc1/6009_122894028882_507353882_2421731_2557848_n.jpg

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs181.snc1/6009_122894053882_507353882_2421733_3525577_n.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs181.snc1/6009_122894038882_507353882_2421732_2461522_n.jpg

Damn, my camera phone sucks. I'll take pics when I get home lol.

[xeno]

How much is it?

[asianxcore]

How much is it?

Looks like $159.99

Damn. Does this mean I might be out $160 on my first day in Seattle? :)

[xeno]

Looks like $159.99

Damn. Does this mean I might be out $160 on my first day in Seattle? :)

I guess, but there are other things to get like soundtracks, games, shirts, toys, statues.

[zenprime]

I need a doctor, I've got full blown pre-PAX fever!

[xeno]

I need a doctor, I've got full blown pre-PAX fever!

You only have 4 more days, play video games till then :)

[MSUHitman]

The RagTag CAG's will officially be represented by myself, darkbossman, enderA6, Chase, Shan82, and woodcan. Outside of Chashan who will be spending Thursday with Shan's parents, I will be pretty much by myself from about 3-8 p.m. on Thursday if my flight is on schedule.

Since my passes weren't mailed to me and I have to go to will call to get a new badge issued, I may try to do that Thursday afternoon.

Episode 68 of Checkmate Arcade that just came out today has a PAX preview at the end.

[dan13l858]

If anyone is going to PAX, could someone pick me up a Poogie plush and Servbot keychain at the Capcom Booth. I will pay over the price you buy these items for. Also, i'm going to Japan next week maybe i can pick up someone something in exchange.

[Danil ACE]

It's funny, some of you guys are actually flying to Seattle for this thing. I've been living here for a few years and I've never gone to PAX...lol

[MarkMan]

^ wow yea we're so stupid!

...

...

[Danil ACE]

Wow way to overreact. :roll:

I just meant that it's funny that I live so close and have never gone. You know when you live next to something that other people travel to, but you never go until someone visits and then you go...get it?

[xeno]

its almost here, are we going to some kind of CAG meet up on friday? ill be there around 8 or so.

[zenprime]

What's a good open time we can meet at the Namco-Bandai booth and move on from there?

I didn't get a room so that means I have to commute. Guh, coffee here I come.

[KingBroly]

I wish I was going to PAX this year :(

Maybe I'll be able to go to PAX Boston.

[xeno]

What's a good open time we can meet at the Namco-Bandai booth and move on from there?

I didn't get a room so that means I have to commute. Guh, coffee here I come.

umm 11am or 12pm i guess....

[MarkMan]

Got my badge, I'll be setting up tonight, looks crazy here!

[xeno]

pics? or will we have to wait till tomorrow?

[MarkMan]

THere are pics on my facebook, but I'm uploading some to my flickr now. Will post soon.

[xeno]

Its here! im eating breakfast then i'm out the door!

[gamingninja]

Had to come home early to be with the kids while the wife works. Tommorrow I'm right back in there though.

[MSUHitman]

The Ragtag's are currently in line for the Splinter Cell/Assassin's Creed 2 panel and then we're going back to the hotel.

Anyone know if Capcom sold out of the Femme Fatale sticks yet?

[MarkMan]

Nice meeting everyone I've met so far! So many CAGS <3!

[woodcan]

BTW, I'm here at PAX with MSUHitman, Shan82, EnderA6, Chase, and darkbossman

I'll be wearing a black Megaman "I Beat the 8 Master Robots" t-shirt.

[woodcan]

Anyone know if Capcom sold out of the Femme Fatale sticks yet?

When I got a peak behind the door at the over-priced Capcom sales booth there looked to be about like 200-300 sticks stacked about 10 ft high. Also, they were priced at $170.

[zenprime]

I totally got taken out like chump in the T6 tourney by a guy spamming Eddie. Oh well, I suck at fighters myself. The second day is just getting underway~

[heavyd853]

I totally got taken out like chump in the T6 tourney by a guy spamming Eddie. Oh well, I suck at fighters myself. The second day is just getting underway~

I lost to the guy who got second yesterday, and today I got knocked out of the top 16 by a random Paul player. I felt so bad haha!

Oh well, when Tekken comes out on console it will be on 100%

[Nelo Ice]

anyone at pax try the xbla games at the MS booth?
particulary want to hear impressions of darwinia+ south park and pb winterbottom

[zenprime]

Oh man, it's over! Had such fun!

[gamingninja]

Freakin' great weekend looking forward to left4dead2 even more now, and Brink looks awesome. I'm sad PAX is over but glad i got to sleep in today.

[Nelo Ice]

uh oh just saw this on gaf
http://twitter.com/cwgabriel
Just heard of our first test-confirmed swine flu case at the show. PLEASE if you feel symptoms (fever, etc) go to the doctor.

[xeno]

Saw this on the penny arcade forum
That_Guy wrote: http://forums.penny-arcade.com/images/styles/PA/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?p=11511229#post11511229)
Dear Person Who Came to PAX Sick,

Fuck you and die in a fire.

Love,
Everyone

i

[heavyd853]

http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=swine_flu

[SpecTrE3353]

A good portion of my friends got pretty sick with flu symptoms after this trip. Might be swine flu but I don't know if anyone is even going to bother getting that confirmed as it makes no difference.

On another note, here is a rundown of some of the stuff I saw at PAX in case anyone is interested:

Day 1 (http://evenewb.blogspot.com/2009/09/penny-arcade-expo-2009-day-1.html)
Day 2 (http://evenewb.blogspot.com/2009/09/penny-arcade-expo-2009-day-2.html)
Day 3 (http://evenewb.blogspot.com/2009/09/penny-arcade-expo-2009-day-3.html)

EDIT: Bah I just read back the last few pages of this thread. I stopped checking it a while back and didn't realize so many of you were meeting up. Sorry I missed out on it.

[asianxcore]

PAX was great. Just got home this morning as my friend and I spent a week in Seattle.

Turtle Beach Booth with the SFIV/TE Stick setup was legit. Also it was nice to finally meet MarkMan

[MarkMan]

asianxcore, it was nice meeting you too! Always nice to meet the homies from CAG :)

http://www.joystiq.com/photos/pax-2009-the-costumes/2270048/

!

lol

[MSUHitman]

Sorry I didn't get to the Namco booth MarkMan. I missed a lot of stuff since I spent all day Sunday trying to win a 360 at a Magic tournament (was going to sell it to buy my cousin a PS3 Slim for Christmas/wedding.) Didn't get to Bioshock 2, Tekken 6, God of War 3, Brutal Legend, Dante's Inferno, and a few other things.

[asianxcore]

asianxcore, it was nice meeting you too! Always nice to meet the homies from CAG :)

http://www.joystiq.com/photos/pax-2009-the-costumes/2270048/

!

lol

YOU MADE TOP 16....YOU WIN A HEIHACHI HEADBAND!!

haha Nate had me cracking up on Day 1.

Also regardless of their ridiculously overpriced stuff at the Pink Godzilla/Gorilla booth, I managed to score a copy of Magical Drop 2 for JAP/Saturn. Made my day.