Marino's PAX Guide v4.0

Will an hour be enough time to get into the Giant Bomb panel? I wanna see the Mega64 panel which ends at 8. Also if you know what type of seats I'd be getting I'd appreciate that as well. Thanks!

@peteisfat: You probably shouldn't have a problem getting a seat, however you will not be getting a good seat. Like @natetodamax stated, a great seat means waiting 2 hours in line.

While that's true I wouldn't consider waiting in the line a negative. I've had some great time in the line just chatting it up with like-minded duders.

@matt: Matt is right, the GiantBomb line is one of the best lines of the whole event.

@peteisfat: I was going to do exactly the same thing last year but I got to Mega64 right as the line filled up so I went to the GB line and waiting an hour before it started and I was in the middle of the room. I will defiantly get there 2 hours early this year.

@mully: Yes

cant wait for the GB Panel. i am not afraid to wait any number of hours. its 99% why im going. now i just gotta get rid of my friday badges...

The GB line is always the most insane thing I see at PAX.

Quick question, not 100% sure they're doing backpacks this year, and I believe they mentioned something about handing out swag bags this year... Am I right about that?

I was introduced to Spaceteam in the line last year so yeah, the best 2-hour wait I've ever experienced.

What's the merchandise end of it like?

Do people buy booths to sell stuff or have an artist's alley kind of thing or is it mainly penny arcade related stuff?

@jjbsterling: The only Penny Arcade related merch booth is the official one. The are a lot of other booths with gaming related stuff for sale.

@earlessshrimp: They do swag bags every year. It's a small plastic bag that's mainly filled with stuff you don't want.

Shuttle schedule got posted! In combination with the year-long extended hours public transit program, there is no shortage of regular busing between the convention center and the hotels. In past years I've always opted to walk and I'm definitely going to try busing more often. I'm glad to see my hotel has a shuttle again this year.

Like Matt said, there's several merch-type booths scattered around, but there's no specific area for it.

On a related note, the maps are out!

I've uploaded them to the image gallery here.

Jesus fuck, I regret living in Europe every time there's a PAX going on. Ahh, maybe next year. :(

Yeah, I really would like to get to one of them. I might plan a trip to the US at a convenient time next year.

I just visited PA for a week, too. Maybe next year. Or maybe they could use some of that CBS money to visit London.

@eccentrix: @redsquirrelbrown: @paulunga: As a fellow European/Londoner I can't recommend PAX enough. I know it's not cheap but I truly believe it's worth every penny. If you're gonna go I say try PAX East first. Obviously it's cheaper and I think it's the better PAX.

anyone have any input on the restroom situation? by that i mean, are they usually packed like at a concert?

It's generally not too bad. I guess it's more crowded the closer to the lobby you are.

ATMs seems to have the biggest lines and most of them run out of cash before the day is out.

Couple things will Giant Bomb be having a booth? Also is $200 cash enough you think I really do not plan to buy anything and for big purchases I do have my credit card.

@jamin724: Giant Bomb will not have a booth. You could do it with $200. I've done it before it may be cutting it a little close.

I have two suggestions to make. One of which I really should be keeping a SECRET, but you guys all seem rad and I should meet people and spread love and what not.

1. The South Station Food Court is like a 15-20 minute walk from the BCEC and they have much more reasonably-priced and diverse options than the convention food.

2. If you are driving into Boston for PAX East, there is a parking garage next to Northeastern University and an Orange Line MBTA stop called the Renaissance Garage that charges a $6 Weekend guest rate from 6:00pm-Friday until 12:00am/Midnight-Monday morning. That's where I'll be storing mine.

Not So Secret Link

I've only been to two PAXs (East 2012, Prime 2013) but my advice would be to try new things. I think Marino's touched on this a bit, but it bears repeating in my mind. Sit down for a random card/board/video game demo you didn't have planned out. Pop into a panel you maybe weren't planning on or weren't sure about seeing. There's so much to do and so many options, trying something new will, at worst, result in you learning you don't like a game or a genre and can avoid it. Best case, you find a new favorite thing. Take advantage of the opportunity to get out of your comfort zone while there are people around to help you discover new stuff.

Does anyone know if any of the giant bomb guys are gonna be on the Cards Against Humanity panel? Their bar meetup is during the same time.

No one knows for sure.

The description of the Giantbomb panel is incredible.

So were the duders on any panels that were broadcast yesterday?

Anyone else hanging in the pre-line-line for the panel?