PAX East – STUFFER SHACK

PAX East Report – The Tabletop Effect

At PAX East 2012 they added a new small theatre called the Tabletop Theatre. It was different from the other panel rooms in that it was set up with actual tables, allowing people to run workshops. In addition to workshops, it had some Tabletop Gaming panels which often took in smaller crowds than the Video Game panels…

This article originally posted at The Gamer Effect on April 17th, 2013.

Cam Banks. Author, Designer, Rugged Outdoorsy Type

I saw Cam Banks speak there, along with one of the fine fellows from DriveThruRPG. The topic was digital publishing. I think there were about fourteen of us in the room for the panel. FOURTEEN. For Cam F-ing Banks. Cam Banks whose new game, Marvel Heroic Roleplaying, was easily the most popular new RPG of the year. The same game that I casually offered to run at Games on Demand – and the woman there ran around the table and hugged me because the demand had been that high. Fourteen people wanted to hear him speak. He didn’t even come in 2013.

Speaking of 2013, let’s do a little comparison. I was on three panels this year. The first two of which were in the Tabletop Theatre. A few local friends came with me this year and we decided we wanted to check out one of the Friday Morning panels with Vincent Baker, Meg Baker and Luke Crane. We showed up 15 minutes early and they had cut off the line. At first I was upset, since I wanted to see the panel. I got over it quickly and became joyous. A Tabletop Panel was so popular that they had to cut off the line!

We got there extra early for the next panel, which was right before my own. They ended up cutting that line off, too, but we were safe. There was a 30 minute buffer between panels. As soon as the panel we saw was done my friends literally ran from the room to get in line for my panel. They came back about 10 seconds later. The line had already been cut off. I found later that every panel but one had been filled to capacity on Friday for that Theatre.

They rearranged the room overnight and added 30 more seats (without tables for those seats). Our Saturday panel was almost full, but I feel like less people tried after having been turned away the day before.

The Tabletop Freeplay area was just as crowded. The doors opened at 10. By 11 AM on Saturday and Sunday you had to fight for a seat. The tabletop game borrowing library had a 15 minute line to check out a game. Things had changed. It was the year of the Tabletop Gamer.

But what changed from the year before? The most obvious answer is the new Geeks & Sundry Show, Tabletop. You’re probably familiar with it by now, but just in case, Tabletop is a YouTube show where Will Weaton plays a different RPG or Board Game each week, with varying guests. It’s well edited to teach you the rules, but also shows the fun nonsequitors that often happen when playing games. It’s gotten so popular that Target marks their board game aisle with signs and stickers that say ‘As seen on Tabletop’.

I’m not saying Will Weaton is solely responsible. His show came out at time when the hobby was doing pretty well. The game section was already increasing in stores like Barnes & Noble, and digital publishing was getting better all the time. However, I think it obviously helped grab a larger chunk of the nerd audience. He’s a man that has become well-connected to PAX by reputation, and his influence holds especially well there.

As a Designer, as a Gamer, heck even as a Father, I couldn’t be happier.

PAXEast 2012

PAX East is this weekend in Boston, the 6th to 8th! I am so excited! As of this writing there are still Friday and Sunday passes available (surprisingly), so if you haven’t gotten your passes yet, there’s still a chance. Go get them!

I’ll be there with the Gamer Assembly, volunteering for Wizards of the Coast and generally hanging out. Feel free to say hi. I love talking to fellow gamers, and there’s no better place than PAX! If you have any feedback, or ideas for future articles, toss those my way too!

Where will I be?

Friday, 11-1 and 3-5, Judging Learn to Play 4e with Wizards of the Coast in Tabletop
7-8, Panelist on Fix your Tabletop RPG with the RPG Doctor and the Gamer Assembly, in the Merman Theatre

Saturday, 1:30-2:30, attending The Future of Dungeons and Dragons, in the Wyvern Theatre
3-5, Judging Learn to Play 4e with Wizards of the Coast in Tabletop
7-11, Competing in the Iron DM with Wizards of the Coast in Tabletop

Sunday, 10:30-11:30, Panelist on The Inner-Demons and the Tribe: Dealing with Depression as a Gamer, in the Cat Theatre
1:30-2:30, attending Kickstarter and the Future of Independent Games, in the Wyvern Theatre

PAXEast Preview

PAXEast is coming! PAXEast is almost here! If I wasn’t excited before (and I was, mind you) I’m totally geeking out now that the schedule is out. You know it’s a good thing when thinking about it makes you smile like there may be something wrong with you.

But Brian, what is PAXEast?

PAXEast is a festival celebrating the best of tabletop, video and PC games. Developers come and host panels showcasing new games and expansions, and talk about how to get into the industry. Companies host games, previews and often give you hands-on time with new technology and titles. There’s a large show floor, stores to sell your stuff, places to meet new people, concerts and free play rooms including PCs, old arcade games and every console you can think of. You get all this for the price of admission. A three-day pass is $55, and as of this writing there are less than 1000 200 left. . . nevermind. There are no more three-day passes. Individual one-day passes (EDIT: Except Saturday) are still available.

Last year I was mostly there for Dungeons & Dragons. I played Dark Sun before it was out, played a number of console games I do not own, played D&D on the MS Surface Table, and met a ton of cool people.

That last note is what I really think PAX is about. PAX is about people, gamers and geeks especially, but really they embrace anyone with a passion. Lines are always entertaining because the person next to you wants to talk to you. They also want to hear what you have to say.

This year I’m still most excited about D&D. I don’t spend a lot of time playing video games anymore, so I’m less excited about the console and free play rooms this time around. This year’s venue is much larger than last year’s, so I expect there to be more stores, and a larger show floor. That sounds pretty great.

So what if I want to find Brian at PAX?

Well normally that would be weird, but at PAX it’s not! PAX is all about meeting people, and if you see me, my all means say ‘hi’ and tell me what I should be doing better. Or talk about whatever you want really.

I’ll definitely be checking out Jane McGonigal’s Keynote this year. If you don’t know Jane McGonigal, check out her video from TED on her website. Basically she’s convinced herself that playing video games can save the world, and wants your help to achieve that goal. It’s kind of awesome.

Also on Friday, from 2 to 3 in the Merman Theatre, is a panel called D&D Edition Wars. It’s where you get to hear Alexander Macris, Keith Baker, Zeb Cook, and Mike Mearls rip apart the different editions of our favorite game. Later that night, from 7-11, Wizards is hosting a Heroes of Shadow Preview. I’ll be in line about an hour early for that. I need to figure out when to eat that day. . .

On Saturday, I’m going to try to hit Pitch Your Game Idea with my brother, James. You get 45 seconds to pitch your game to industry professionals. The best 3 ideas win prizes!

Then on Sunday, from 4:30 to 5:30, there’s a panel called Getting What You Want Out of Your Gamemaster. It should prove insightful about designing games that are engaging for players and GMs.

Wizards of the Coast announced their schedule as well. Only they did it all sneaky on the PAX Forums. I’ve submitted my name for The Dungeon Masters Challenge and to judge a couple of sessions of D&D Learn to Play. There’ll be another PAX Post before the event so I’ll be sure to let you know exactly which official events I end up being a part of.

I should have a smart phone with me that weekend, so you’ll be able to track my movements via twitter, @BrianLiberge.

Anything else you want from this year’s PAX?

I want to DM two different 4e games. I hope one of them will be the previously mentioned Dungeon Master’s Challenge, but I also want to do something smaller in the TableTop Freeplay area.

I also want to play two games that aren’t 4e D&D. So I’ll be looking for people who are hosting open tabletop stuff. Some games I’m interested in are Mutants & Masterminds, MouseGuard, Dragon Age, Leverage, GammaWorld, Fate and Pathfinder. Obviously these things take time, I’m already positive at least one of the panels I want is likely getting cut. If people are planning to run something in a nearby hotel, either Saturday Morning, Sunday Morning, or Sunday Evening, let me know!

Because of the bigger location, I really hope there are more vendors. I’d love to pick up some stuff I don’t normally have the opportunity to buy.

How can I find out more about PAX?

Well I’ve already linked to the PAX Schedule and Forums. Check out their FAQ. Also, check out the Hitchhiker’s Guide to PAXEast.

One last note/plug. The Westin is right next to the Boston Convention Center. Attached to the Westin is M.J. O’Connors, Irish Pub with fine dining fair. I really like it, but I’m biased, my brother’s one of the Chefs. Because they’re literally the closest food to the convention center, I’m trying to get them to do some game-themed menu items and drinks. Who doesn’t want to have some Pac Man & Cheese?

Give them a try, and tell them Brian from Stuffer Shack sent you! If you want to support my menu idea, hit their contact page and send them an email! You’ll thank yourself later when sipping your Legend of Zambuca at the bar and sending down those Princess Peach Margarita’s to the Frag Dolls at the other end.

So are you going to PAXEast? Anything you looking forward to or want to see? If you’re not going, what do you want to hear about from those who are going?