Greetings, beautiful party people of the world wide webbernets. Penny Arcade Expo is upon us once again and I could not be dreading it more!
Wait… no, no. That’s what I meant to say.
I hate conventions… okay, that’s not entirely true. I love the idea of gathering together, as a community, in a centralized location in order to celebrate everything that makes our passion so unbelievably awesome. What I love a little bit less than that is all of the hassle that goes into “working” an event like this. If you’ve never worked a video game show, you may not appreciate how unbelievably and unrelentingly tiring these things can be. If you’re a member of the press, it’s even more frustrating as you spend all day documenting your experiences with notes that are steadily decreasing in their legibility, before dragging your carcass back to the hotel room to try and decipher what in the hell you just scratched down while writing up one of about a dozen preview pieces you’re on the hook for that weekend. Throw in the fact that you’re fighting against large crowds the whole weekend just to be able to do your job, and by the fourth day you’ve likely become so delirious that you’re now tasting sound.
So, if you’re like me (god help you) you’ll be spending a lot of time going to panels. They’re informative, fun, and most importantly, organized. Sometimes you learn a lot about the video game industry, which can help you land a job in this ultra-competitive field. Other times you watch 30 community managers play WWF Wrestlemania 2000, and it’s the best damn part of the show. Either way, there are an untold number of panels going on this year – and I’m going to give you my personal docket for panels I intend to check out.
After the break, of course.
Friday, August 29th
- 10:00am – 11:00am: Quiz Show Hour w/ Volition (Ages 13+)
Panelists: Steve Jaros, Jim Boone, Aubrey Norris, and Natalie Lander
So, PAX Prime 2014 is kicking off with the “Quiz Show Hour,” hosted by voice actress Natalie Lander and involving members of Volition and Deep Silver. In the end, though, everybody wins as they’ll be unveiling new information about their new project – a project that, as it so happens, is also being announced at the panel.Curious, that.
- 11:00am – 12:00pm: Women Surviving and Thriving in Games Media
Panelists: Jessica Chobot, Naomi Kyle, Mary Kish, Neha Tiwari, Megan Farokhmanesh
There is no denying that the gender gap in the video game industry is, however slowly, thinning. One of the areas where this is most prominent is in gaming media. Some of the top women in games media will be sharing their stories of struggle and success as they talk about what it’s like being in the middle of the male-dominated gaming industry – while also talking about the larger issues of equality and acceptance in games. Which is always welcome.
- 12:00pm – 1:00pm: Community Impact on Game Development
Panelists: Jacob Clark, Corey Rollins, Lindsay Miller, Billy Nichols, Amarisse Sullivan, Annette Gonzalez
Have you ever wondered if your voice is being heard? I assure you – it is. In fact, communities that spring up around certain games can ultimately have a major impact on a game’s development. Sometimes its for the better, other times it’s to appease fanboys who are afraid of change (since nobody else will say it…). These fine CMs will be talking about how game developers have started to embrace their communities, and how the companies have levered that feedback to make everybody happy.
- 1:00pm – 2:00pm: Gaming Your Career: Manage Your Career in the Game Industry
Panelists: Richard Weil, Jens Anderson, Brooks Brown, David Schwimmer (not that one), Linda Carlson
So, you think breaking in to video games is the hardest part? Hah! You’d be wrong, my anonymous Internet friends. The hardest part about breaking into the video game industry is, well, not breaking. The hours can be excruciatingly long, and it’s easy to hit burnout if you don’t have that life balance. So managing your career? Kind of a big deal. These fine men and women are going to tell us all how.
- 2:00 – 3:00pm: Troll Combat 101: How to Handle and Defeat Internet Trolls
Panelists: Kristin Reilly, Evan Berman, Troy Hewitt, Jennifer Paige
Internet Trolls. They’re the scourge of the universe* who take advantage of their relative anonymity to be the biggest possible [redacted] nimrods you could ever fathom. So how do you combat such horrendous swine? Well, you can find out a few tried and true methods by attending this particular panel.
- 4:30pm – 5:30pm: Tester vs. The Game: The Life of a Game Tester
Panelists: James Costello, Chris Chamberlain, Bex Bradley, Kevin Darby, Jennifer Fairbanks, Dominick Mendoza
One of the biggest misconceptions about video game testing is that “oh, dude, you get to play the game all day!” No. No, no, no. Proper QA in a video game goes above and beyond, as these under-appreciated mad scientists work their dark magic to find inventive ways to break your favorite games. If you’ve been wondering how to get your foot in the door, you’ve probably been told that QA is the way in – but be advised… it’s more than what you’re told.
- 6:00pm – 7:00pm: The Future of Online Games – MMORPG.com
Panelists: William Murphy, Ryan Dancey, Dave Georgeson, Colin Johnson, Scott Hartsman, Stephen Frost, Joshua Halls, Miguel Caron
With World of Warcraft on the “decline” (in that it’s making only eight gobs of money instead of twelve), and Free to Play titles on the rise, there is no question that the landscape of MMO gaming is changing forever. But how much? That’s what will be discussed in some detail as MMORPG has put together a killer panel of creative directors, CEOs, and other influential members of today’s MMO dev scene.
- 7:30pm – 9:30pm The Angry Video Game Nerd Movie Screening
Panelists: James Rolfe, Ryan Schott
James Rolfe has been doing the Angry Video Game nerd for almost a decade, and at long last he gets to live out his dream by screening a movie – of his own creation, no less – in front of the very audience that helped turn the “Angry Nintendo Nerd” into the “Angry Video Game Nerd” and launch him into gaming culture super-stardom.Okay, Nintendo may have also had something to do with the name change.
Saturday, August 30th
- 11:0am – 12:00pm: Player Driven Narratives: Players as Storytellers
Panelists: Fred Wan, James Portnow, Tom Abernathy
As video games continue to evolve, so too does the role of narrative in those games. As we tell more complex stories, the opportunities to pull the player into the game world have never been more bountiful – but is it worth it? That’s the question that’ll be posed to the panelists who discuss the ever-evolving role of the player in the game narrative and the many different ways to build a compelling story around the player and their actions.
- 12:30pm – 1:30pm: Firaxis Mega Panel
Panelists: Just about the entire Firaxis development team
Civilization: Beyond Earth is on the horizon, and odds are that if you’re reading this website in particular, you’re something of a fan. Join members of the Firaxis development team as they showcase new, never-before-seen content as the game steamrolls towards its October 24th release date. - 1:30pm – 2:30pm: Orcs Must Die! – An Afternoon of Fun with Robot Entertainment
Panelists:Patrick Hudson, Lance Hoke, Ian Fischer, Chris Moffitt, Chris Rippy, Justin Korthof
Orcs Must Die! Unchained is equal parts tower defense, MOBA, third-person shooter, and trap-springing chaos that you’ve come to expect from Orcs Must Die!. It’s pretty awesome, and the team putting it together are one of the more colorful groups of people you’ll ever come across. Join the team from Robot Entertainment as they walk you through some of the awesome new content that will be coming to OMDU, as well as stories from the “good ol’ days” at their previous developer, Ensemble Studios. Yeah, did you know that the guys behind OMD were also behind Age of Empire? Well, now you do! - 5:30pm – 6:30pm: Why Gaming with a Disability Should Matter to You
Panelists: Mark Barlet, Craig Kaufman, Troy Hewitt, Keith Knight, Linda Carlson, Lindsay Miller
Over the past several years we have seen an incredible push towards making gaming more accessible towards those with disabilities. As technology continues to evolve, how we make games accessible towards those with disabilities will only grow, which helps all of us. Join some of the foremost minds in this growing field of game design as they discuss how we’re making those with disabilities part of the game. - 9:00pm – 10:00pm: Retrogame Roadshow: What Are Your Old Games Worth?
Panelists: Chris Kohler, Mike Mika, Peter Brown
It’s like Antiques Roadshow for retro video games. If you’re into old school NES, SNES, Genesis, Atari, etc. games, or you’re one of the many Antiques Roadshow superfans that are so prevalent online, this is a show that’s well worth your time.
Sunday, August 31st
- 10:00am – 12:00pm: The Game Industry Rumble! Live on the N64!
Panelists: Abbie Heppe, Alex Rubens, Alexa Ray Corriea, Bobby Loertscher, Brad Muir, Casey Lunch, Charlie Chu, Dan Ryckert, Dave Lang, David Ellis, Eric Baudour, Eric Neustadter, Greg Millar, Jeff Gerstmann, John T. Drake, John Vignocchi, Jon Carnage, Kate Welch, Maya Kramer, Megan Scavio, Mitch Dyer, Pat Baer, Samantha Lakman, Samit Sarkar, Shawn Allen, Stephen Toulouse, Tina Amini, Trin Garritano, Will Smith (not that one), Zoe Quinn
It’s 30 different Video Game Industry personalities playing WWF Wrestlemania 2000 on Nintendo 64. It’ll likely be the best part of the entire weekend.
- 11:00am – 12:00pm: Not My Problem: Why Everyone Has a Role in Promoting Equality
Panelists:Sam Prell, Brittney Bombacher, Joshua A.C. Newman, Mike Cosimano, Nika Harper, and James B. Jones (oh hi, me!)
Couldn’t make it to the Game Industry Rumble? Perhaps professional wrestling or watching people play wrestling video games isn’t your thing? No worries – join myself and a panel of some brilliant minds to discuss how each and every one of us has a role to play in making the the video game industry and gaming culture a more open and accepting place.
- 1:00pm – 2:00pm: Game Changer: Design and Development in Higher Education
Panelists: Emmitt Scout, Cora Walker, Elliott White, Nathan Evers, Aina Braxton, Simone de Rochefort, Jason Pace
Students and faculty from the University of Washington at Bothell come together to talk about the challenges and rewards that come from designing video games in a college environment. How do you find funding? How do you balance design and school? How do find that right balance between innovation and building something a company will actually take a chance on? Well, find out.
- 3:00pm – 4:00pm: Tetris: The Video Game that Changed the World
Panelists: Alexey Pajitnov, Casey Pelkey, Adrian Price, Florence Vaillant, Gary Steinman
Tetris changed the world. An addictive puzzle game that many of us didn’t experience before picking up our first Game Boy, the game has gone on to forge a 30-year legacy across the globe. Join the game’s creator, as well as members of the Tetris Ultimate team, to learn about the game’s past, as well as see a glimpse of its future.
- 4:00pm – 5:00pm: An Evening with Patrick Rothfuss
Panelists: Patrick Rothfuss
We love video games, but PAX is also an opportunity to learn about so much more: collectible card games, board games, pen & paper RPGs, and… well, authors. Patrick Rothfuss is a New York Times bestselling author – and Twitter addict – who will be telling stories, sharing from his latest work, and answering questions from the audience in an hour-long trip into the mad mind of a writer… not that I’m biased about such things.
- 5:30pm – 6:30pm: League of Legends YouTube Panel
Panelists: Patrick Boyle, Anthony Aleman, Christopher Aguirre, Sky Williams, Brandon Wilks, Parviz Solemani
League of Legends is the single most popular game in the world, and has developed an intensely loyal following of YouTube content creators. Perhaps you want to join their ranks? Sure you do – it’s fun! And stuff. In this panel, some of the most prolific League of Legends YouTubers (Instalok, Protatomonster, and Sky) will talk about how they keep their channels fresh, and answer questions on how you can break into the scene – and get noticed.
- 7:30pm – 8:30pm: What Does It Take to Be Independent in the Games Industry?
Panelists: Michael Gnade, Matt Canj, Robert West, John Lindvay, Will Stallwood
Look – it’s hard to break into the game industry. For some people, they look at the landscape and say “screw that,” forging their own path into this industry rather than fighting with countless others for more corporate positions. The benefits are plentiful; complete control over your ideas, freedom to experiment and speak your mind… in fact, the only downside is a lack of salary and no healthcare. If you’re interested in breaking into the video game industry on your own terms, learn from people who’ve already done it.
- 9:00pm – 10:00pm: Collecting Games – WITHOUT Going Broke or Getting Scammed!
Panelists: Chris Kohler
Do you want a room in your house to look like James Rolfe’s basement, or BlondeNerd’s “woman cave?” Join WIRED’s Chris Kohler, who will give you the rundown on how to amass a massive, almost comically large video game collection – without falling into crippling poverty!
Monday, September 1st
- 10:00am – 11:00am: Photo Bomb Your Way to Success! How Jumping on Internet Fads/Trends Can Help Promote Your Game
Panelists: Troy Hewitt, EM Stock, Eric Cleaver, Rubi Bayer, Matthew Anderson
One of the quickest ways to draw attention to yourself is by jumping on the bandwagon for whatever the latest Internet meme/fad is. But how can you turn that attention into interest in your game or your community? …I don’t know… what? I don’t. Stop looking at me like that! Look, I may not have the answers, but these community managers do. Join them as they explain how to do it, and why it’s not only a fun exercise for you, but also an important task for building your community.
- 1:00pm – 2:00pm: Confessions of a Troll: Human Nature & Online Communication
Panelists: Linda Carlson, Eric Cleaver, Sanya Weathers, Rich Weil, Rick Heaton
Remember what I said earlier in this piece about Internet trolls being the “scourge of the universe?” I still stand behind that, but now we get to learn why! In this panel you will learn how and why people troll, and discover once and for all why being a troll is a destructive enterprise for which the only logical, if a bit dramatic, punishment is to be melted with acid.Okay. I might’ve added that last part about the acid.
- 2:30pm – 3:30pm: Frag Dolls 10th Year! An Exciting Decade for Women in Games
Panelists: Morgan Romine, Rachel Quirico, Alexis Herbert, Theresa Pudenz, Amy Brady
The Frag Dolls have been around for a decade! Yeah, you feel old now, don’t you. A few of the original members reunite to discuss how the group has evolved, how being a part of “the dolls” has impacted their lives and careers, and discuss how the team is continuing to push for more representation for women in the game industry.
- 4:30pm – 5:30pm: “Cyberbullying” – A Catch Phrase or a Real Problem?
Panelists: Dr. Tyler R. Black, Ryan J. Black
“Cyberbullying.” You’ve likely heard the phrase, and it has become an incredible problem in gaming culture in the past few years. But how does it affect you? Join Dr. Tyler R. Black and Ryan J. Black as they dissect the psychology behind such behavior, the psychological and legal impacts of the act, and what you and I and everyone else can do to minimize the prevalence of it moving forward.
That’s a pretty full docket, and that’s not even every panel I’d like to attend. If I listed off every panel I wanted to go to, this thing would wind up being 4,000 words long and then it’d become a game to find out which half-dozen panels I didn’t want to go to. Then there’d be tears, and I’d have to explain to my friends why I didn’t pick their panels, and it’d be weird. If you want to see a list of every panel at the show, be sure to peruse the Penny Arcade Expo Schedule.
And of course, if you happen to run across me – or anyone else from Curse or Gamepedia during the show – don’t be afraid to say hi. I promise we won’t try to harvest your juicy kidneys.
This time.