What I've heard about PAX

News & General Discussion
1

I’ve never experienced indie events like PAX myself, but this is what a friend tells me it is: A bunch of news reporters and gamers flocking around the big and established studios with the expensive booths. Only the people who’re lost, bored, or of equally minor news websites find the infant indie studios.

To the people who’ve been to PAX: Is this true at all? If a team has an attractive presentation and fun gameplay, will it get ignored because of its booth placement?

2

Yes, discoverability is a big problem for indies at pretty much every conference. It’s why things like the indie megabooth exist.

3

Never been myself. But I have talked to a bunch of previous exhibitors. And run other similar types of exhibitions. There is a lot that can be done in terms of exhibition design and flow to ensure every exhibit gets a steady flow of people past it. I’m not sure how good pax is at this.

But once people are walking past, it’s your job to hold them. Here are a few ideas from other exhibitions.

  • People attract other people. People are more inclined to be at exhibits other people are at, even if it means standing in line. Getting your first few people will draw in others wanting to see what the fuss is. Let existing fans know about your booth and give then a reason to stop by and chat.
  • Gimicks attract. Come up with something unique that can only be done at your booth
  • Competitions and give aways will make people stop for a few moments. Highly visible give aways like bags, hats, wrist bands, helium balloons ect will ensure your booth is advertised to people who haven’t actually seen it. They might come looking just to pick up loot.
  • Make your booth spectator friendly. Project play up onto a big screen. Remember, people attract people.

It’s not game exhibition advice, but I bet you all of the successful exhibitors will be doing all of the above.

3 Likes
4

I went to pax Melbourne last year (my first pax) & most of the indies had good crowds. The ones that didn’t were the ones that for some reason we’re located in little corners or far edges surrounded by PC/peripherals stands & not actually near any other game stands. The ones in the indie mega booth & nearby were packed & we often had to wait for a go on some games.
The bigger professional booths had people but apart from world of tanks & LoL tournaments making massive noise the rest was quite engaging. Just watch some of those fancy peripherals stands, one last year broke the no booth girl rules & quite a few on stage as they yelled stuff through mic’s & threw things in the crowd. I only just dodged a hard, sharp edges metal foil packet of something that whizzed passed my face.