Awesome write-up man. I may have to go with you next year.

I'm jealous of people that went.
Esp because I can't get a code for the 360 avatar item they handed out. I got one from PAX2009 because I had friends that went and they gave me a code.
This year, no one I know went to PAX East.

I got that code. Of course, my 360 red-ringed two nights before I left so I can't use it yet. I'd offer it to you but...well, I want it

I went to Pax with a group of friends. All I remember was waiting in lines and lines and more lines. I was really only interested in trying unreleased videogames and in that respect, it is pretty disappointing. Didn't go to any of the panels (no interest), tried to get into keynote but denied right at the door after 1.25 hour wait, did attend Major Nelson's live podcast (boring). No interest in board games, card games or other crap.

Draven seems to have way more fun than I did.

That is bad timing.

If you had a spare, I'd ask. But I won't ask for your only code.
It seems they were giving less of those things out this time? When PAX 2009 was going on, people were posting tons of codes and giving them away. One friend grabbed a stack of 30 to give to members of our gaming group.

I actually got it on the last day in the line for the closing ceremonies. The chick with the chihuahua from 1Up (I'm too lazy to go look up her name...I just remember she annoys me) was passing them out in line. That's the only place I saw them all weekend. But I wasn't actively looking for swag either, so that might have been part of it.

I was in a unique situation. I went by myself, so I was willing to put up with a lot of ridiculousness that would have made it tough to do with a group. Everyone would have been bitching. When I was waiting in line, I'd just pull out my Kindle. Killed a ton of time with that. Others were playing Magic or their DS (my god, the DS...just the sheer number of Pokewalkers I saw was impressive).

I actually agree that it wasn't a great way to see new games. I only got to play a few. I never did suck it up and get into the Red Dead Redemption line either, which wrapped around the booth the entire time. I spent more time going to panels (or in line for them ), playing PC and console games in the freeplay area, or just walking around looking at things. Somehow I managed to fill the days. I also got to places early enough that I never missed out on something I wanted to do, which was nice.

BTW, here's someone's video of the Jonathan Coulton thing that had me laughing so hard. It's almost 7 minutes long, but it's pretty funny.

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Sure you can.

Well that's not nearly as fun

Well no, but as soon as you hook up your system when it returns you'll get your fancy little shirt.

Anyone play Red Dead Redemption over there?

I wanted to - the line wrapped around the Rockstar booth every time I went past. I never found a lull to get in there.

Wow I can't wait for this game. I just waited until this week to start looking at videos and specs and wow OMG!!!

I only played one GTA and it was IV I liked it but found to be a bit repetative.

But I love me anything western. Growing up my father had a small ranch so I can't wait for this!!!!