Thoughts on Skipping the GB PAX Panel

This is my third year at PAX and I lined up hours and hours ahead of time to get into the GB panel the previous two years. I enjoyed meeting people and playing Cards Against Humanity and Divekick in line. But I could have done a larger number of things (other panels or parties and meetups) if I didn't spend several hours in line. I am also growing a little tired of the enforcers being unable to handle the line. This is especially true of last year when I was told I was among the first handful of people to show up 3 1/2 hours early in what was being treated as the correct GB waiting area, only to then scrambled to the other side of the hallway where another enforcer had started what apparently became the real line. I showed up 3 1/2 hours early to end up in the back half of the room...

Since the panel is archived I can attend others that won't be available online after PAX or just do other things going on that don't involve the hassle of the line. Have others done this? Have you regretted not going to the panel in person as you watched the archive on the site? I'm still torn about what to do.

This is my first Pax East and I don't think I'm going to go to the panel for the very reasons you described. The GB panel is archived and there are other panels that occur in the second half of day 1 that I want to see and participate in. As cool as meeting other duders would be, everything else can be viewed later.

That fucking sucks.

If you think your time is better spent elsewhere go for it. You can always watch the panel when it is archived.

I am skipping the GB panel to go to a Guild Wars 2 thing, and also because of the reasons you mentioned. It is also my 3rd PAX East and the lines are starting to wear on me. My advice is to do something elsewhere, as it sounds like you are in the same mindset as me.

@paul_tillich: Well from the sounds of it you have been to a panel and done it, all the true novelty of being so die hard has worn off, so unless you plan to try and make some memorable moments or be part of them E.G Breast milk, twerk contests. Your time may be more worthwhile spent elsewhere that does not get archived, be is a panel, be it a indie game with no que and is fun or even just making memories with friends.

Oh shit, guys, what if nobody goes to the GB panel this year? what if the guys have to do a panel ALL TO THEMSELVES?

how weird and surreal would that be?

@thatpinguino: It's worth going to even if you have to wait. Granted I got a close seat thanks to some friends but seeing all the crazy happen in person is worth it imo. A lot of PAX is a give and take when it comes to the schedule and you'll have to make not so fun decisions about which panel, party, meetup, and ect.

My advice would be to try and plan stuff out the best you can. Prioritize events you want to go to because you can't see everything. Have fun, do what you can, and remember sleep is for the dead, the weak, and everyone not going to PAX.

@finaldasa: Yeah it is ether the GB panel or the Isometric panel and the review panel Jeff is on. I've watched all of the GB panel archives and I kinda know that they are zany fun that is cool to see, but I think the Isometric panel might be really special this year. Also I think listening to Jeff talk about the state of reviews is more my speed than the usual bombcast stuff at this point.

I feel bad about having to miss the fake glass and super kicks, but I think I'm gonna have to.

Do the other GB adjacent panels fill up like the main GB panel? Like will I have to get to the dad panel 2 hours early?

@thatpinguino: You should get to any panel at least somewhat early (I always tried for about 30 minutes) but if I remember right the Production panel at least years PAX East didn't fill all the way up. Most lines don't even form until the panel before it has started, so no line should require a lengthy wait time unless it is something as big as a GB panel.

I thought the ground rule at PAX for panels (at least in the years i went) was to not arrive until an hour before?

I'm going to Pax East, but not to the GB panel. Granted, that has more to do with my not being able to get to Pax until Saturday, but I digress. Good points nonetheless!

I've been to 2 PAX Easts and never minded the line for the GB panel. Got to meet some cool people, play some vita, get hyped.

But then again I came all the way from Australia, so waiting a little longer didn't seem to me matter to me.

I'm already hiding in a trash can outside of the theatre

@gorillamopena: hoho man, straight up Metal Gear Solid Style.

@unclebenny: that is kaufmanesque in the most kafkaesque was possible.

Maybe also lovecraftian tbh...