" @UnsolvedParadox: That's okay. I broke my own rule by not going to concerts this year in favor of the Giant Bomb related activities Friday and Saturday night. I'm glad the guide worked for you. 
 
@Valwryn: Awesome. How was it going to TGS? After so many E3's and PAX's, I hope to make it there one day. "

As a frequenter of PAX Prime, I can confirm the importance of these bullet points. All 3 years I've gone I came in late on Sunday; sleep deprivation kicks in like a motherfucker during those 3 days. The concerts are awesome, though I was a retard the first year and didn't go. I believe that was '08, when JoCo was there (FUUUUUU....). As for swag... it seems cool at the moment, but give it a second's thought - do you really need it? If you grab everything, you'll come home with 20 shirts, and give half of them away or throw them away within a month. As for planning for panels, do your best but I can assure you that schedule will get fucked up - you will most likely miss half of them in favor of standing in line. 
 
I just thought of a new bulletpoint: BRING FOOD. Cannot stress that enough. The lines for the Subway are as long as the lines for the games, and since it's a line for food as opposed to a line for games, it feels like a waste of time. Either buy a Meatball sub at 8AM (that'll keep you full all day, trust me), or bring your own food. 
 
Also, as a basic rule, don't be an asshole; be courteous, and don't carry 7 swag bags around with you. 

" I couldn't find anyone selling cookies. Were they there? "

It's sad that people have to be reminded to have a shower each day, especially when so many are fat nerds who sweat a lot.

I ask, when is the Metroid metal concert? I want to see that.

@big_jon said:

It's sad that people have to be reminded to have a shower each day, especially when so many are fat nerds who sweat a lot.

I ask, when is the Metroid metal concert? I want to see that.

Metroid Metal is Friday night opposite the Giant Bomb panel. If it helps your choice any, they always release the GB panel on video later.

Personally, I'd recommend 2 showers for a lot of people. If you are at a convention all day, you will smell like hell long before the end.

@YoungFrey said:

Personally, I'd recommend 2 showers for a lot of people. If you are at a convention all day, you will smell like hell long before the end.

This is why I'm thankful that PAX Prime is in Seattle. I can go home, sleep, shower, and head right back.

Just makes me sadder that I won't be able to go to PAX this year :'(

If you're going to PAX Prime this week, these guidelines and tips still apply!

Man this is a GREAT guide! Makes me ALL the more jealous... Have a great time duders!

Is there a livestream for PAX Prime?

I would also suggest NOT losing your badge. In '08, the part of my badge where I clip it to the lanyard broke and I lost the badge. I went to the help desk but they wouldn't help me. Said they were 'out of badges'. I was fucking choked. So I went back to my hotel room only to find out that my friend bitched them out till they magically found a spare badge that 'just showed'. Hang on to your badges for dear life.

@jkuc316 said:

Is there a livestream for PAX Prime?

Not that I'm aware of. I know the GB guys don't live stream the panel. I heard Ryan say once that it would be disrespectful to the people there. In 2009, they showed stuff to the live crowd that was not included in the archive footage.

@Lukeweizer said:

I would also suggest NOT losing your badge. In '08, the part of my badge where I clip it to the lanyard broke and I lost the badge. I went to the help desk but they wouldn't help me. Said they were 'out of badges'. I was fucking choked. So I went back to my hotel room only to find out that my friend bitched them out till they magically found a spare badge that 'just showed'. Hang on to your badges for dear life.

Yeah. Losing your badge would be bad. I used to be real paranoid about it during E3, but at least there your name is on the badge and they have a record of you if you lose it. At PAX, it's all anonymous for the most part.

I would also suggest NOT losing your badge. In '08, the part of my badge where I clip it to the lanyard broke and I lost the badge. I went to the help desk but they wouldn't help me. Said they were 'out of badges'. I was fucking choked. So I went back to my hotel room only to find out that my friend bitched them out till they magically found a spare badge that 'just showed'. Hang on to your badges for dear life.

Even if you don't plan on buying anything, bringing a backpack is definitely essential because the amount of free stuff you can easily get is crazy. I remember at PAX East 2011 my brother would disappear around a corner and show up 10 seconds later with two more shirts.

So as someone who's never been to PAX before but is going this year, looking at the provided floor map, many of the theaters are missing from it. How easy are those theaters to find in a pinch?

@Progn0sticator said:

So as someone who's never been to PAX before but is going this year, looking at the provided floor map, many of the theaters are missing from it. How easy are those theaters to find in a pinch?

The other maps are on the apps you can download. I haven't found them where I can upload them here. http://pax2011.crowdcompass.com/apps

But either way, there are many "World Maps" posted around the convention center. And, when you arrive, you will be given a swag bag that has a program in it. There is a map in there too.

The Enforcers will help direct you if you get lost though. Just look for the blue shirts.

@YoungFrey said:

Being in a convention center and hotel meeting space, some places might look obvious on a map but be difficult to path too. I know last year, they had what was nearly a hidden floor being accessible only from the back stairs in one hall (I think, even if there was another route that still proves my point because I couldn't find it either). So, what Marino said, ask Enforcers.

You can get there from an escalator in the Expo Hall (which was not there in previous years) or you can get there from outside across the street from the main entrance. That area is the Pike Street Annex and will be where Halo Fest (among other things) are located this year.

Is it a good idea to bring anything else from my pre-registration packet with me to the show besides just the badge?

What I meant to say is that it couldn't hurt.

Thanks again, this guide will be invaluable!

One new tip that may need to be added is to watch out for Scalpers. @Official_PAX tweeted this about three hours ago.