PAX Prime stands for the Penny Arcade eXpo Prime (it's representing the Pacific North West) and started back in 2004. It's a gaming convention hosted in Seattle around Labor Day. This year was my first time at PAX Prime with only a Saturday pass. Well worth the trip!
One of the first things I have noticed was lots of League of Legend. This included the various Nidalees, Riot sculptures, excellently crafted cosplays, and of course the LCS Regionals. Sooooo much League! It was like you're in the Lore... except it's real!. Non-League players, it's like the equivalent of Disneyland with Micky Mouse minus the strict rules and prices.
Special thanks to Alvin for the ticket and Andre for PAX touring/swag!
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| SC2 usually has more people than LoL, but this was still a great turn out for the LCS. |
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| Fire Emblem |
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| Who else? |
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| Thresh. Someone had to walk them around. |
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| Heartseeker Ashe <3 |
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| Dream team! lolol |
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| Shield was so legit. C'mon it was as tall as me! |
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| Couldn't resist. Also I was trying to be Annie. TRYING. |
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| Nidalee |
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| Orianna |
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| halo |
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| Yoshi Yarn |
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| Advertising for a game.. They had wrestling cage matches for various animals that people can dress up as! You could have been a honey badger up against a bear lolol |
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| LoL Cosplay Room. Everyone got their own mirrors and dressing room. It was so an actual lounge for cosplayers. |
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| Super Smash Bros. Nintendo booth |
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| Riot Design Panel in the symphony hall |
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| Yoga with my bros |
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| Mog vs Zombie! |
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| The sword is heavy... go Monster Hunter :) |
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| Extra Credit |
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| Extra Credit |
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| Sims |
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| Ziggs FTW |
Loved the con! I would highly recommend if you enjoy the gaming world (more notably League of Legends), you should attend PAX Prime!
Comparison with PAX East?
Earlier this year, I attended PAX East in Boston for two days, so woo hoo for comparison! Also here is the PAX East entry.
Prime vs. East
Weather: Two different seasons, but it totally makes a difference. Seattle was rainy and gloomy. It wasn't pouring down or anything, but it was not as sunny as Boston in April. Both a little chilly, but it wouldn't dampen your con experience. It just so happens I prefer sunny weather, but then again I'm inside all day. The light glistening through the windows is quite nice though.Win: Boston
Location: Both located in their respective downtown. Extremely busy, full of people unexpectedly noticing a lot more nerd culture, nothing new. The convention in Seattle was located in different hotels, which was confusing for a first-time goer such as myself. Luckily a friend, Enforcers (volunteer workers) and a bunch of strangers gave me directions to any where I needed to go. PAX East was located in one building and it was basically a square. Each floor was the same, but at least I knew where I was going. I wasn't a fan of the multiple locations and confusing map so the winner would be...
Win: Boston
Crowd Control: This might be harder to judge considering in Seattle I only went on Saturday, usually the busiest out of any convention and then in Boston, I went on Friday and Sunday, usually far less crowded. Seattle had lots more people and it was definitely a 1 minute wait to get down the escalators to get out of the building, while Boston was walking instantly on the escalator to find different panels on different floors. Then again, I didn't attend PAX East on Saturday so I'm sure it was elbow to elbow fun like PAX Prime.
Win: N/A
Swag: It's why I love attending conventions... SWAGS! Free things you get at the convention. My most note worthy swag at PAX Prime is the Super Smash Bro. towel from Nintendo. I love Nintendo and they usually give away the coolest swag (cat ears, posters, etc), but also one of the longest line and crowds. Nintendo wasn't at PAX East :( so boo. Getting the Riot codes was A LOT easier at East than PAX Prime. At Prime, I had to hunt down a Riot Employee and squeeze through the massive crowd of tall and short nerds to participate, (YES PARTICIPATE) in some kind of quiz bowl in order to get my code. East was NOT like that. If anything they basically handed it to you and asked quick questions such as "What is your favorite hero/champion?" Both had given me a lanyard, but it was sooo much easier to grab it at East. The quality of it... PAX Prime had better swag. Worth the wait, but it was more accessible at PAX East.
Win: Seattle
Cosplay: PAX Prime had so many League Cosplayers and it wasn't half-assed either! As you can tell from the photos, I was able to shoot a handful of cosplayers and damn they were creative. PAX East had more anime and gaming cosplay (PAX East 2014) but Prime had more League cosplay. So you have a variety on one side (THERE WAS BIRD JESUS) and then one genre almost on the other. It's your preference on what your cosplay watch purpose. Mine was seeing my heroes/champions come alive and the amazing armour you see at Prime.
Win: Seattle
Panel: I attended the Riot Design Panel more than enough times, both in East and Prime and both very well executed. There were a lot more people at Prime's design panel and great questions, but less enthusiasm than East's. East had a lot more fun, giving away mini poro for questions asked. It was more intimate if anything. Then at Prime, I also attended Extra Credit, which I am now a fan :D While in PAX East, I got to participate in one of the panels. Both are great for learning more about games and the people who are in that community. Waiting in the lines are also super long for the popular panels... and wanting good seats. At least they play fun interactive games to entertain those who wait :)
Win: Both... for SCIENCE!
People: Everyone was nice at both location. All super helpful and you meet new people here and there. Everyone is at the convention was busy sharing their interest with all the nerds. Small talks were fun since you can start on a gaming topic or why they're there. Or maybe you need to use the restroom while your phone charges... others will watch your stuff since there are at least 5 other witnesses . People from all over the US and possibly the world attend these conventions and it's no doubt that we'd all try to enjoy it. We're taking a break from our daily routine life so why not take it all in?! Plus... STREET PASSES! /droools
Win: Both!
Win: N/A
So which is better? East or West? Depends on what you're looking for! Swag? I'd go for the West! Want to not be so overwhelmed, attend East. Regardless, either conventions are worth attending. If it's in your area of the USA, it might be more worth it to go there. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in the middle so I attend both :)
This entry is only about PAX Prime. Perhaps a Seattle entry will be made in the future. For now, I await the next gaming convention! PAX South...?
