PAX East 2010 - Registration Open

[Psykoboy2]

Can't make it to PAX Prime in September? Sold out before you could register?

No worries because registration is now open for PAX East 2010 (http://www.paxsite.com/paxeast/index.php) in Boston.

Is it too soon to ask who's going?

[Rogue_hunter]

It's actually been open for about a week or so, it's just that no one really took any notice. What's interesting is that no where has the dates been announced, except through a glitch on the regular PAX registration site that allowed people to buy their PAX Boston passes already.

Sadly, this is the weekend BEFORE Spring Break, so I seriously doubt I would be going.

[Stoke]

This may be during my spring break but I won't know for sure for a few months. Either way though, I'm planning on going. There's just no way I can afford to go to PAX this September so PAX East will have to do :)

[BLeeP]

Kat and I are definitely going, as we have been anticipating this ever since they announced it. I'm more than happy to plan everything out now, as well. Anyone know of good hotels in the area and what pricing is like? They don't have any of that info up on the PAX site yet.

We are going to have cool T-shirts, right?

[bapenguin]

Gah! Of course - it ends on my daughter's first birthday. :\

[Suave Peanut]

Already? A whole year ahead? I suppose they're wanting to get an idea of what kind of numbers to expect.

I have to get my PAX West trip fully paid first, then I'll consider this.

[Ravenlock]

I certainly plan to be there. This year will be the first time I make it to Seattle, but I've been wanting to go to PAX since it started, and living in Pittsburgh, Boston is a hell of a lot easier to get to.

Also, Boston is awesome. :D

[NoName]

I was planning on going to PAX this year but a two week trip to Japan has come up...

But, living on the east coast, there's very little that will stop me from going to this PAX.

[Kielaran]

Hmmm. I have to consider going. I have to keep going to west coast PAX, so the real question is do I have to time and money to hit this one up to.

[DigitalFirefly]

Gah! Of course - it ends on my daughter's first birthday. :\

What a perfect way to end your daughter's first PAX.

[Dark Prince]

Hmm, this is something I've always wanted to check out. Obviously PAX East won't be like PAX west, but at least it's something to look forward too. Something to think about.

[Ink Asylum]

Now that PAX09 is over I can stop being jealous of everyone that could make the trip while I couldn't and start getting excited about the PAX I'll actually be able to attend.

I'll definitely be there. Glad to see others are going as well. Thankfully it'll be super cheap for me. I have friends in Boston I can stay with and there's a bus from NYC that's only $30 round trip. Add on a 3-day early registration pass and a weekend of subway fares and the whole trip, sans food will cost me less than $100. Kick ass.

I'm sure it'll be smaller and more low key than the regular PAX, probably more in line with one of the earlier PAX shows. I know there are a ton of east coast geeks who just haven't been able to swing a cross-country trip and have been waiting for something like this. Between NYC and Boston you could easily fill a convention hall, let alone the rest of the coast.

[JayVe]

I could be persuaded to make a trip to Boston for this. :D

[DoctorFinger]

I'm going to take Amtrak, personally. Only about $120 round trip from Penn Station, and a bit more comfortable than a place or the bus.

[pronounconnoun]

I'm going to wait a few years so they can work all the kinks out before traveling all the way to Boston.

[Ink Asylum]

I'm going to take Amtrak, personally. Only about $120 round trip from Penn Station, and a bit more comfortable than a place or the bus.

C'mon! The chinatown buses are a rite of passage for New Yorkers. It's only four hours and no more cramped than flying coach. Ok, a little more cramped.

[Ten19]

Will be there like shareware.

[Ink Asylum]

The roster grows. Excellent. JoCo better be there. He's an East Coast guy to the core.

[wyeast]

Can't afford the cost or the time off, so I'll keep going to Seattle. :( You guys have a good time, tho'! :)

[Shjinta]

Hmm maybe if Scott goes.. I'll consider going. I can easily drive there from where I am. I think..

[Psykoboy2]

Hmm maybe if Scott goes.. I'll consider going. I can easily drive there from where I am. I think..

Really? If I go? Aww, Shjinta...I didn't know I meant that much to you.

[Ink Asylum]

Well, are you going to go? Hmm? Inquiring minds apparently want to know.

[Ravenlock]

I would very much like to attend - Boston is certainly closer to Pittsburgh than Seattle, which makes it considerably easier and cheaper. And I don't think I'd mind going to a slightly smaller PAX than what I just experienced.

But it also falls right next to my wife's birthday, and she is not a gamer.

So we'll see. ;)

[TurboKinny]

I'm debating it. I'll be living on that coast in time, so we'll see.

[DoctorFinger]

C'mon! The chinatown buses are a rite of passage for New Yorkers. It's only four hours and no more cramped than flying coach. Ok, a little more cramped.I've been through that rite of passage, thank you very much. It's also easier for me to get to Penn Station than either Mott St. or the PA Bus Terminal. It doesn't help that I'm a big fella, either.

[Ink Asylum]

Fair enough. If I could afford the train I'm sure it would be a lot nicer and more comfortable.

[Dave]

Can't make it to PAX Prime in September? Sold out before you could register?

Stuck in Greenland? :D

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

I feel like this is where Dana comes into the conversation and says, "Hey Dave, you should go! I'll be there!"

[civil]

This is the nerd-meeting equivalent of HDDs and Memory Cards. :(

[Klunka]

So I'm totally going to this. I live about an hour from Boston now. Unfortunately I can't house anyone due to recent living arrangements changing, but I'm more than happy to pick people up at airports and give some rides.

Looking forward to finally attending a PAX, even if it's not PAX proper.

[lucklesswonder]

I've never been to Boston in the fall.

Although, I guess if I go to PAX, I still won't have.

[TurboKinny]

Well I'm out for PAX East, but it's for a good reason- I was chosen to present research at a conference the week before in Portland, which means taking time off school. I just can't justify taking off the weekends before and after Spring Break.

[The Continental]

Any word on the size and scope of PAX East compared to PAX Prime? I'm a little worried it's going to be a little on the left overs side of things, otherwise I'd be booking my Acela tickets right now.

[Ink Asylum]

Yeah, I'm going to hold off on buying my ticket for now. I'd like to hear what they have planned, particular what game companies are going to show up.

[Goronmon]

I'm going because a buddy of mine lives like 5 miles from the convention center, so I won't be paying for airfare or a hotel.

[wyeast]

I was chosen to present research at a conference the week before in Portland...

*ears perk*

:D

[Dark Prince]

After doing a little research and talking it out with the gf, we both definitely want to go. We'll be saving up to register in the mean time and we will definitely be there!

Can't wait, this'll be my first PAX.

[PathMaster]

Very interested here. Only about a 4 hour drive for me. Any ideas what a typical event overall costs come out to be?

[Kielaran]

Very interested here. Only about a 4 hour drive for me. Any ideas what a typical event overall costs come out to be?

Well, tickets are probably 50$. Past that you have hotel room and food and beverages. Nothing to special, really.

[Sl1pstream]

I will not be going. I can do one PAX every year, so I'm going to keep going to PAX Prime.

[Alatheia]

Any word on the size and scope of PAX East compared to PAX Prime? I'm a little worried it's going to be a little on the left overs side of things, otherwise I'd be booking my Acela tickets right now.

It's at the Hynes Convention Center, which as I understand it is between the size of the Meydenbauer Center (PAX 2004-2006) and the Washington State Trade and Convention Center (PAX 2007-2009).

In 2008 PAX had over 58,000 attendees.
In 2009 ticket sales were capped at 75,000 and sold out prior to the event.
Preliminary numbers for PAX East 2010 in Boston is 30,000
(From the PAX East Information and FAQ (ASK QUESTIONS HERE!) (http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=101518) thread on the PA forums.)

Also, everything I know about Robert Khoo tells me that there is no way that PAX East will be anything other than awesome.

Very interested here. Only about a 4 hour drive for me. Any ideas what a typical event overall costs come out to be?

The hotels have a convention rate if you book through http://www.paxsite.com and the average rate is somewhere around $175/night (your cost would go down if you share a room with others).

I'm not sure how much the average meal is in Boston but I do know that the convention center is connected to at least one mall that I'm sure has a food court so to be on the safe side budget at least $50 for food daily, if you plan on eating three meals everyday.

Not sure what you drive so can't give you a number for gas. I also don't know your spending habits to give a number for extra stuff that can be bought at the convention.

For anyone flying into Boston: airline tickets will be cheaper in the 90-30 days before the flight. It is also cheaper to fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays than Mondays, Fridays, and Sundays. Wait until December/January to book your flights.

[Voodoo]

Any word on the size and scope of PAX East compared to PAX Prime? I'm a little worried it's going to be a little on the left overs side of things, otherwise I'd be booking my Acela tickets right now.
Well, I'd say it is going to be pretty big, especially due to the Spring 2010 releases.

[PathMaster]

The hotels have a convention rate if you book through http://www.paxsite.com and the average rate is somewhere around $175/night (your cost would go down if you share a room with others).

I'm not sure how much the average meal is in Boston but I do know that the convention center is connected to at least one mall that I'm sure has a food court so to be on the safe side budget at least $50 for food daily, if you plan on eating three meals everyday.

Not sure what you drive so can't give you a number for gas. I also don't know your spending habits to give a number for extra stuff that can be bought at the convention.

For anyone flying into Boston: airline tickets will be cheaper in the 90-30 days before the flight. It is also cheaper to fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays than Mondays, Fridays, and Sundays. Wait until December/January to book your flights.

Fantastic information. Thanks a lot.

[destoo]

Passport.. check
5 week "paternity leave" in the buffer.. check
need to book an hotel, gather a few people from Montreal, and I'm all set for pax.
(and maybe tell the wife, eventually..)

[Sl1pstream]

Any word on the size and scope of PAX East compared to PAX Prime? I'm a little worried it's going to be a little on the left overs side of things, otherwise I'd be booking my Acela tickets right now.

Yes! But nothing public for now. :D

[LiquidRain]

Alright, I should be there. :) I'll book after next week.

[Ten19]

Hotel booked, pre-registered, travel will be tackled soon!

[Deadend]

It looks like I may be driving down with a friend or two.

[Skampy]

Yes, It looks like I may be going with Deadend,

[Deadend]

Yes, It looks like I may be going with Deadend,

We need someone to be in our love sandwich.

[Dark Prince]

Hotel booked, pre-registered, travel will be tackled soon!

Doing the same here, working on saving a bit extra money to book at the Marriott.....can't wait. :D

EDIT: Hotel booked!! Working on getting a media badge for me and going to pre-register for the GF. Can't wait for PAX 10 this year!

[Spigot]

I'm trying to convince my wife that an 8 hour drive across upstate New York in March would be just the thing to do for a lovely weekend getaway.

Methinks I'm either not going or am cramming my lard-ass into a car with Trackzero...

[PathMaster]

Bah. As someone who lives north of the area you would drive through, it should be fine. As long as we don't have one of those infrequent blizzards that happen in March. ;) Only a 4 or 5 hour drive for me.

[Sl1pstream]

So apparently hotels are beginning to fill up. If you're planning on going, it might be best to book now. They're not charging you before then anyway.

[LiquidRain]

Who's all going from here anyway? I just had my batch of friends back out, I'm almost completely without buddies here.

[Sl1pstream]

I'm not going. I can afford one PAX/year. Not knowing anyone before going to PAX isn't exactly a problem imo. It might have been an Enforcer thing, but I didn't really have any problems finding people to talk to during my shifts, when I didn't hang out with anyone from CoG.

Also, you should go to PAX Prime if you can't find people to go to PAX East with. :)

[Suave Peanut]

I have tentative plans to go, I just have to have some money first.

[Ink Asylum]

I am definitely going.

[Goronmon]

I'm definitely going. Super easy trip for me.

[Ten19]

Definitely going. It's almost like we need a roll call thread....

[Voodoo]

I'm definitely going!

[Vigil80]

I think I might go, depending on the cash situation. A plane ticket looks like it's ~$200 for me. Hotel is another matter, however...

[LiquidRain]

Definitely going. It's almost like we need a roll call thread....
Yeah, we need us one of thems.

[PathMaster]

Registered. Now just need to book a room.

[Suave Peanut]

Looks like I won't be able to make it. My spring break is March 6-15, not at the end of the month. :(

[Rogue_hunter]

Looks like I won't be able to make it. My spring break is March 6-15, not at the end of the month. :(

My spring break is two weeks AFTER PAX-E. I'd go to Boston for the weekend, have one week of classes, then Spring Break. I don't think it would work out too well, with 5 classes and classes all 5 days of the week. Sadly Boston is not to be, but Seattle will always be there for me. :(

[Ink Asylum]

That's a shame. Sorry to hear it.

[Sl1pstream]

Registered. Now just need to book a room.

I have an extra bed if you're still looking.

+ Awww at the ones who won't be able to make it. I'll get you guys an autographed Freezepop picture if they're there. :)

[Spigot]

I have an extra bed if you're still looking.

+ Awww at the ones who won't be able to make it. I'll get you guys an autographed Freezepop picture if they're there. :)You'd better not make statements like that lightly. I'll take you up on it!

I would love to attend but my wife still maintains that a family trip to Boston in the winter isn't what she wants to do with her time/money. Sigh.

[Sl1pstream]

I actually do have an extra bed. Two double beds was the same price as a giant king-sized bed, so I booked 2 doubles, in case someone was still looking for a place to sleep.

[Spigot]

I actually do have an extra bed. Two double beds was the same price as a giant king-sized bed, so I booked 2 doubles, in case someone was still looking for a place to sleep.I was talking about the autographed Freezepop paraphenalia :)

[Sl1pstream]

I also liked them at one point. Then I saw them at PAX '08. I was not satisfied.

[LiquidRain]

I also liked them at one point. Then I saw them at PAX '08. I was not satisfied.
They were awful live.

[Ink Asylum]

Freezepop are cute, but I can't listen to more than one of their songs in a row.

[Suave Peanut]

I guess it takes a certain kind of person. I'm not big into electronic music, but it was a lot of fun to watch them make it live. Maybe you just have to be a musician to appreciate some of it.

[MrBibbz]

Ugh another PAX I won't be able to attend.. CURSE YOU REAL LIFE ... CURSE YOU TO HELL!!!!

[Sl1pstream]

Maybe you just have to be a musician to appreciate some of it.

Like the fact that she can't carry a tune? :)

[Spigot]

Like the fact that she can't carry a tune? :)Wait, she sings? I thought it was a spoken word group...

[LiquidRain]

Wait, she sings? I thought it was a spoken word group...
I think she tries, but I've heard better singing at Rock Band parties. I wish I was joking. It was terrible.

[destoo]

We had a wardrobe malfunction in Montreal, she lost her skirt and flashed her panties.
It was an awesome show!

[Rogue_hunter]

BYOC LAN registration is now open, $30 on top of the cost of the regular 3 day pass, and a 3 day pass is required. Limited to 300 spots, and word is they're filling up fast.

For those interested, sign up here: http://lanfest.intel.com/?page=event&view=main&eventid=1384

[Dark Prince]

I hope you all got your 3-day badges already because they just sold out... (http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/sold-out-pax-east-3-day-badges/#comments)

[Voodoo]

I hope you all got your 3-day badges already because they just sold out... (http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/sold-out-pax-east-3-day-badges/#comments)

Wow! Yup, I'm all set. :)

[Dukefrukem]

You can still buy individual day passes though.

[Sandman]

You can still buy individual day passes though.

It's so much cooler to have a 3 day pass though.

[PathMaster]

They will be mailing those out prior to the event correct? I grabbed mine long ago.

[Ink Asylum]

When I ordered my ticket online I could print out the pass itself. I assume they'll be mailing us another copy but that one should work if you got it.

[Dark Prince]

They will be mailing those out prior to the event correct? I grabbed mine long ago.

When I bought my passes they sent an email to me where I could print out the 3-day pass itself.

They will be sending you the badges to put your passes in two weeks prior to the event.

[Sl1pstream]

It's so much cooler to have a 3 day pass though.

My badge is cooler than yours! :p

[PathMaster]

When I bought my passes they sent an email to me where I could print out the 3-day pass itself.

They will be sending you the badges to put your passes in two weeks prior to the event.

Ahh. You are correct. Thanks for pointing that out.