PAX Teaser

You all have probably seen our news updates about PAX over the past few weeks:

PAX main page

PAX Prize Page -- This page has been updated to reflect some additions to the prize pool from our partners. There are a couple more prizes we'll be adding to the list for the VIP raffle at our party.

On the official wiki some weeks ago, I was asked whether there would be some way that players who cannot attend PAX to participate from afar. Admittedly, this is not as cool as having a live, in-game event -- but I have agreed to appear on Xfire for a Live Chat on Saturday, August 30 at 12 noon (Pacific time). I will also try to grab a few GW devs to join me at the chat as well, though it depends on their availibility/schedules. Participants at the chat will have a chance to win Grawl minipets and skill pins. Anyone can attend the chat, you just need to have an Xfire account. (Oh and also, if you do attend the chat, please don't send me Xfire friend requests until the chat has concluded because I won't be able to answer questions and reply to friend invites at the same time.) =)

We're also going to have a couple of ways to keep you all updated on our PAX activities, as close to live as we can possibly get. More detailed information will be coming tomorrow, though some official wiki users have already discovered these. =)

Watch the official site for a news update tomorrow. :-D

If anyone is going to be at PAX, please stop by the booth and introduce yourself. I'll be there hanging out, speaking to players, and for some lucky people -- dispensing VIP passes to our party. There will be tournaments and art signings running throughout the weekend. The tournaments are awarding some awesome prizes, which are detailed on the prize page I linked above.

The ArenaNet party is on Saturday, August 30 at Game Works (across the street from the convention center). I would like to note that if you cannot make it to the VIP portion of the ArenaNet party (6pm - 9pm), it is open to EVERYONE at 9pm. I highly doubt that everyone will be leaving at 9pm sharp, so even if you were not able to score a VIP pass, you will still be able to get in and talk to the ArenaNet devs at 9pm.

How do you score a VIP pass?

(Kristen Perry is hot)

Cool.

Will there be any news on Guild Wars 2 that the devs might talk about at PAX?

I look forward to comparing chins with Jeff Grubb, and lore concepts.

Skitsefrenik: to get a VIP pass, stop by the booth to find out... ;-)

Esprit: the devs will not be talking about GW2 at PAX.

ZenRgy: I'm sure Jeff will be happy to meet you. All the devs will, seriously. They're coming to PAX because they want to meet all the fans.

So this is basically just a paid vacation for you guys? Nothing new about GW2 whatsoever?

Jealous much, yes it's actually part of their job to go to these things. Awesome perk.

Vacation? Hahaha.

Being staff at a convention has it's fun moments, but believe me it is very tiring. You are on your feet for 12+ hours a day, constantly talking to fans and other games. It's probably not so bad at PAX, as the event is shorter, but it was killer at Leipzig last year.

Sounds cool, shame I cannot go.

Still, it's awesome that those of us who can't go can still get involved!

Thanks for the info and giving yourself up for the live chat time Regina!

bah, I want to go and fail at winning things!!!

Guess Im forced to sign up for xfire.....

As someone who has been working behind the scenes at fandom conventions for 10 years, "vacation" is hardly the word I'd use for it. 12-17+ hour work shifts, exhaustion, stress, running on full power on less than 3 hours of sleep, headaches, missed meals, aching feet, voice getting hoarse from talking to so many people, minor crises cropping up, ... And those were conventions I worked at as a volunteer.

Don't get me wrong, working conventions is a lot of fun -- I love them -- but it's exhausting. My idea of a vacation involves relaxing and lots of sleep.

Relaxing? Pssh, I go to places to see new and beautiful scenery. Or stare at the women.

I won't be able to go to PAX, which is a shame. Don't have the time. I think it's time to finally download Xfire.

Seeing keys for character slots and skill unlocks under the prices i would like to ask, why can't those be added to NCSoft's PlayNC.com web-store. The payment options in the in-game store are very limited for Europeans. PlayNC.com has several more payment options (even PayPal was added recently), but unfortunately offers less products.
There was the argument that character slots couldn't be offered outside the game itself, but apparently it's now possible to generate keys for them.
Please help us Euros to give you more money.

Thank you for the information, Regina.

I guess I was just asking because I don't see the point of spending money on sending people to this kind of thing if you aren't going to announce anything about GW2. I guess hoping that Anet would spend money on something like another world championship instead is stupid at this point.

That may be because you forgot that GW1 still exists and people are playing it, may be? Think about it this way: if you were lucky to be there, talk to the people that made one of the most fantastic MMO out there, including artists, writers and Linsey herself, grab a few goodies, compete in rollerbeetle for an awesome signed copy of prophecies artbook, wouldn't it be worth it? If only I could .... GG Anet and Regina.

I offer you a few valid reasons for aNet's attending PAX (GW2 is irrelevant).

• Gain the attention/interest of new attendees who are potential additions to the GW player-base.

• Have some fun events for those fans who will already be going. This also works conversely for PAX in attracting those fans of GW who would not be attending if aNet representatives were not attending.

• Give fans new and old the opportunity to meet members of aNet staff and Guild Wars crew including (but not limited to) artists, writers and designers.

• In addition, aNet attendees contribute to various panel discussions and presentations at PAX that expand beyond that of Guild Wars.

If you don't see the "point" for aNet's presence at PAX, you should check out the page(s) that Regina linked to in her first post.

Disclaimer: This is absolutely unbiased post because I am not a PAX attendee and am, thus, unaffected by aNet's attendance.

The word teaser got me all fired up...but it wasn't what I expected. lol.

Anyway, I think it's great involving people who can't attent PAX. THanks for the opportunity.

Thanks for the info Regina, I look forward to meeting you at PAX!

Nothing interesting ever happens out here.