We just returned from PAX Unplugged. It was the Guild’s fourth major show this year (after Origins, Gen Con, and Essen). I’d say that makes for a pretty ambitious con year for our fledgling company.
The Good
One of the big things we were really excited to show off at PAX Unplugged was GIANT Pocket Ops. It was fun to see people’s eyes ogle our giant little game, and huge kudos to my team for making it happen. Artiste extraordinaire Josh Cappel put it all together, and Heather ‘Ophelia’ Newton spent the entire weekend explaining Pocket Ops to attendees and running the demos.
The PAX staff were amazing. I’ve been to conventions as an attendee, volunteer, Game Master, and now an Exhibitor. I’ve even run a convention! And I can say hands down that the PAX staff have the best infrastructure that I’ve seen on every level. In particular I’d like to give huge props to the PAX ‘Enforcer’ staff, a set of volunteers put in place to ensure that my questions were answered and needs were met.
The Strange
Of course, we took the opportunity to explore the food and drink after our exhausted days. One of our most noteworthy experiences was the Bru Craft & Wurst, a few blocks walk from the convention center. There’s nothing better after a long con day than kicking back with food and friends, and this night was no different, but it was the strangest place to eat. When I say ‘Bru Craft & Wurst’ you probably picture a Bavarian-style atmosphere, servers dressed in traditional dress. Well, this was NOT that. Take that Bavarian vibe and mix it up with a hipster night club, now you have the idea. While the food and beer were both great, I’ll not be back. I was not planning to spend my dinner yelling to each other over the music from the night club downstairs!
What made the PAX experience so different from the other conventions we attended this year was the complete reversal of sales trends. Typically we have seen our sales rise from show beginning (Thursday or Friday), peak on Saturday, and trail off on Sunday. However, at this show we saw our strongest sales on Sunday–very unusual. Also strange: we were constantly busy doing demos. It was nonstop. And yet sales did not reflect this at all, which was frustrating. While some companies hit it out of the park, the buzz from many big players was the same for them as for us.
The Best
As Exhibitors, we get a LOT of people asking for free product — reviewers, game libraries, items for prize raffles or silent auctions, etc. Early one morning at PAX Unplugged, a man came by the booth pre-show and asked about Endeavor. As I told him, he said, “Oh, that won’t really be good for my group. It sounds like a great game, but I run a ‘safe space’ for LGBT youth, and for us it’s more about the conversation we can have over a game than the game itself.” As excited as we are that Endeavor is a part of our line, no doubt it is a big leap from our current titles: Unreal Estate, Stroop, and Pocket Ops.
And so it was with a feeling of joy that I plucked our other titles off the shelf and handed them to him. I told him that I understood what he was looking for and that these other games should meet his need. “How much?” he asked. “Free to you,” I said. He was very grateful. It’s moments like that that make this all worthwhile. The thought of challenged kids building connection and community over my games makes my heart swell with emotion.
Overall PAX Unplugged was a good experience, and I’ll likely do it again next year. Did you go to PAX Unplugged this year? Are you thinking about going next time? Leave a comment below to tell us about your experience with this fledgling convention.
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