1. Blogs
  2. AvastYeBilgeRat's blog
  3. To PAX or not to PAX? That is the question.

To PAX or not to PAX? That is the question.

AvastYeBilgeRat

Shared on Thu, 09/30/2010 - 10:52

Derek (DSmooth) already voted an emphatic "YES" on Twitter as I wondered out loud whether or not making the trip up to PAX is worth it to a non-industry, white-collar, everyman gamer who loves the activity but doesn't have near enough time in his life to enjoy it as fully as he might want. I'm curious to hear others' thoughts on the subject before I book the trip or punch myself in the face when March rolls around as PAX (East) rolls around and I'm still in NC, wishing I was there. Essentially, my hesistancy boils down to the following:

1. I'm not a convention guy. I've attended Charlotte's local "Heroes ComiCon" because it's next-door to where I work, I like comics, and I enjoy shopping around and seeing all the fun stuff. Apart from that, conventions and their crowds make me uneasy for some reason. Weird.

2. I'm an all-or-nothing guy who's quick to either dive into something completely or turn something off completely. Up to this point I've managed to avoid doing this with gaming, and I've got a great life right now. I'm a little worried that attending something like this will be the catalyst for my making drastic changes in professional/personal life to accomodate MORE of it in my life, or feeling guilty about its continued presence alongside the other elements of my great life (which might be greater given gaming's time, focus etc.) and sell my consoles.

That's really it. The way I see it, either way has uncertainty and stress as passengers. Is there a way for a guy who loves (I mean LOVES) games to simply attend something like this for a weekend and go back to "business as usual" Monday morning without being permanently altered in some way? Getting personal, is there a way for Mike to attend this without having feelings of guilt about energy, time, and money being spent on "just a hobby?"

I know the "YES" DSmooth already proposed is the right answer, I just gotta get there in my brain. Anyone else going, thinking of going, or been and has suggestions?

Comments

Isstasi's picture
Submitted by Isstasi on Fri, 10/08/2010 - 13:04
Loved PAXeast last year, got me into tabletop gaming and got a great sneak peak at whats going to be good this holiday season. Plus I am a HUGE PA fan, and Wil Wheaton was there. If you go, I'll see you there.
AngryJason's picture
Submitted by AngryJason on Thu, 09/30/2010 - 11:15
I'd like to go to PAX, but then again, I like going to cons. I went to E3 in 2006 and it was heaven and hell. I was working part time there, writing scripts for video segments. So, I'd work for 4 hours, play for 6. It was good, but way too crowded. Video game cons are a mixed bag. It's fun to see stuff, but it can be a pain to actually play new stuff. If you don't mind waiting in line for 2 hours to play the next big thing, and absolutely want to get stick time, it's your only way. In the end, if the schedule, lines and crowds aren't your bag, just follow the web or G4tv for updates. However, when Star Wars Celebration VI is announced, landspeeder, don't bantha to get your tickets.
Nunderw00b's picture
Submitted by Nunderw00b on Thu, 09/30/2010 - 15:54
PAX is definitely worth going to. I went to PAX Prime in 2009 and had a blast. It was my first "real" convention. The atmosphere isn't what you'd expect at a convention. People were actually pretty cool, and friendly. Given the chance, I'd definitely go again, and I would recommend going to anyone else.

click for more 2O2P member action

click for more 2O2P member action

© 2007 Media Crumb Inc. All rights reserve Media Crumb Inc.

Join our Universe

Connect with 2o2p