Not sure anyone else here is going.
I'm going to try to get in early on Friday to play the new Bioshock before the lines start I think.

Also to the rest of you, NS2 is free to play this weekend for PAX! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPsqT1R3jzw

Hey Tinks- I've got passes for Friday and Sunday- We'll have to bump into each other :)

I didn't know they let animals into the convention center :O

Are animals even allowed on the showroom floor?

You can say that you are wearing a very elaborate canine cosplay.

Sorry I didn't see this till now Froz
Could have introduced myself!

I'll give my impressions on this shit soon. Lots of games I wasn't expecting

Indie games definitely showed up everyone else. And the absence of Irrational was really weird and disappointing for me.

Surprises of the show for me, were the presence of Transistor (devs behind Bastion) and seeing Elder Scrolls Online was there.

Transistor was probably the most complete game I played at the show. Has such cool art style, music, and some interesting game play I enjoyed quite a bit. The whole team was there supervising the booth and it was cool to chat some with them.

I did play Tomb Raider first thing when I got to the floor, and this new scripted, very directed path of travel leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It LOOKS cool most of the time but it also seems like I'm just running down a tunnel. Remember Me and even Last of Us looked like that kind of.
The Last of Us demo on the floor just looked so unappealing. They really fucked up and I wasn't willing to wait in line for what I saw. People spending most their time just traversing up and down old abandoned buildings. I'm sure Last of Us will be great though. Remember Me looked boring though.
Keep in mind, the major titles are generally 2 hour average wait, so I had to use my judgement on what to try. I was only willing to wait for Transistor yesterday.

I played a new indie game by the people behind Mark of the Ninja (Shank as well I believe), called "Don't Starve!". It was really cool and something I'd like to play more of.
You can see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouQ3_IUUJqY
People seem to compare it to Minecraft. The version I played was sandbox style but I guess it'll be story and level based eventually.

Also before you ask, I didn't get to play Elder Scrolls Online. It was probably the only thing I regret not doing on the floor.

I will say, triple A titles are in trouble, because the Indie scene is going to take over even more than it already has if PAX is any indication.

I find it kinda funny the one game you mentioned in your original post was a no-show...Kinda sucks..but still..lol

Yeah it doesn't really make a whole lotta sense.

Irrational who make Bioshock are FROM Boston. The game comes out in such a short fucking time from now and Ken Levine is giving a presentation on it at PAX today.
Still nothing playable, not even a video presentation. No Irrational whatsoever other than a time slot in one of the conference halls.
This is the same venue where they made Red Dead playable for the first time ever.


On another note, Nvidia Shield played like garbage and felt so cheap in my hands. Hope it has more time to develop because it needs it.

My friend and I also attended an Indie conference at PAX too. They had reps from various Indie companies. Surprisingly a women who worked for 38 Studios was there and so was a dude from Demiurge. No one dared ask about Aliens though lol

Also it just got reviewed on IGN... so lame

9.4444444444444444 wahoo

Release date doesn't make much sense to me either

If such small companies can get booths, I don't see it being that expensive

@Tinks: Did they showcase Occulus Rift?

I didn't see it anywhere asdfg. Maybe I missed it? But doubtful

The point is every little bit counts! And to give something back to your fans.
I imagine there will be more talk of it next week after it concludes :p. Lots of press there all over the place.
If it remains kinda hush I think that's mainly due to the build up to the next generation going on

Seriously though. There are companies from all over the world at this thing (Norway, Iceland, Germany, etc), showing their game regardless of whether it's out already, soon to be released, or is a year or two off.
Irrational are right down the street

Some games to check out from the show for you guys that haven't gotten much coverage

This game is pretty nuts. Saw this guy speak on an Indie Boston panel
Drunk Robot Pornography
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0xpbjskhrk
You kill boss waves and can create your own bosses to fight and share with others

Super Time Force (Double Fine)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv5Q4nPAI2M
You control time. Every time you die you rewind to the beginning and you can replay with your mirror images who move through with you fighting enemies. It's pretty wild. You can save yourself too, where you died last.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouQ3_IUUJqY
Don't Starve