 |


 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Last weekend, Dan and I attended Game X Con at the Greater Philadelphia Expo center. Dan was covering the con for Geekadelphia, and due to other things going on - we only attended on Friday. Dan got in on a press pass, and I was his guest.
I have to say the con staff treated us very nicely, taking time out to ask us if we were having fun, and making sure I had a badge. And I had fun during the day. We had been to GameCoreCon a couple of weeks before, so I knew what to expect for a gaming con - though I this one was much larger, and much more industry-based.
There were celebrities, - three of the Guild cast were there, and were they friendly - at their panel, they actually had us go around and introduce ourselves - and that was where I got the nickname MA for 'mature audiences'. We also saw the Escapist panel, and I now have a ton of video content that I need to look up and subscribe to. Dan was able to interview Yahtzee - a video blogger who does game reviews that make us both cry with laughter on a regular basis.
The game booths were interesting - they had one for Dante's Inferno - which looked amazing, and I can neither confirm nor deny that I know anything about the time a couple of the monitors went off with no warning. There was one for a new game called Bayonetta - which looks to be right up Dan's alley. It features a girl that fights in a suit made of her own hair - which of course comes off while she's fighting. The booth I was really interested in was Warhammer Online - every since Ace of Cakes did a cake for them, I've been intrigued by the game. And I found out it comes out for Mac tomorrow - I'll definitely have to check it out. And there was one for another MMO called Global Agenda, that advertised that there were no elves in the game. There were some other industry booths - and one for Bawls - that featured an SnoBawls - the blue flavor in icee form. Truly epic.
The swag was pretty good too. I came home for with three tshirts, two reusable shopping bags, and tons of coupons for Dave and Busters. And codes for goodies in some of the MMO's. The one thing that seemed a bit lacking was the shopping. There were a couple of booths with art, and some with used games, but I guess I expected a bit more - given that was what most of GameCoreCon was about. Some of the vendors were also at GameX, but surprisingly, I didn't spend any money - except on the funnel cake that called me. Called me I say. But I had been hoping to find some good deals on used games, but didn't. There was a vintage section, and a t-shirt vendor with some truly epic t-shirts, but nothing that made me want to part with my money.
We also got to hang out with the PA Jedi, a group that Dan covered for Geekadelphia a couple months back. They were doing demonstrations and we spent a good deal of time chatting with them. I think we are going to have to take the kid to one of their practice sessions.
But it was a great day, though we didn't feel like we needed to come back the next day. But getting to meet the Guild cast members, and getting to play the new games was awesome, and I'm glad that took the day to attend.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |


 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Just got back from my second day at Wizard World Philly. My first Wizard World, but I think I'm going to go next year. For the most part - I was pleased with how the whole thing went. I got to see a bunch of stars - but not talk to any. Sat in on a bunch of panels, and wandered the dealers room without spending too much cash.
Yesterday - the Kid and I were able to take in Lou Ferrigno's panel, which was a bit sad - very few people, and hardly any questions. This is what happens when you take steroids, kids. Though I have to say - he looks a lot younger than he is - probably due to botox. He was walking with a cane because he just had a hip replaced.
Then we stayed around for Tom Kane's Voice Acting panel. He voices Yoda in Clone Wars, and does a whole lot of other voices as well, including all the Pixar stuff for the ads, and he's been in every Lucasfilm game ever made. He was really interesting.
Other than that - we wandered the dealers room, where I walked by the interview tables a bunch. Edward James Olmos and Michael Hogan were side by side, and they seemed very approachable. I didn't have enough cash for an autograph, nor Dan's kick ass camera, so I didn't feel right approaching. Emma Caufield was there as well, as well as Nicki Clyne and Luciana so and so from BSG. But the really person I got all fangirly about - Ted Raimi. And I didn't think I would - but there you go. If I go back tomorrow - I just might bring one of my Xena box sets to be signed. I know BIG nerd. Marina Sirts was there today, and what impressed me is that she stayed around to the fan's side of the table every time I saw her.
The highlight of yesterday was Dan going up to Max Brooks to get a copy of World War Z signed, and then getting an interview with him. It was great to watch him put his press creditionals to good use.
Today was mostly panels. You know - hearing stories from this con - people were telling me the panels weren't worth it - that everyone just goes for the dealer room, but those people must not have sat in on the panels. We saw the 501st, Ray Park, Emma Caufield, and the BSG Q&A's. We had kick ass seats for Emma's panel and BSG's. But I thought they more than were worth the price of admission.
The BSG panel was awesome - and surprise surprise - Nicky Clyne - who played Callie - was surprisingly articulate. Olmos at the end did one of his Adama rants at the end, and Michael Hogan kept cracking me up. We recorded it - so you can bet that will be making it's way up on one of our sites.
The dealers room today was populated with more costumes - some good, some scary. Dan got an awesome stormtrooper decal for his EEEPC, and I got three prints of colored pencil sketches of Muppets. We kept the spending to a minimum, but I'm so pleased with my art.
Tomorrow I'll only be there for like an hour to run through the dealers room again - I may actually spring for a picture with someone tomorrow.
So - long time since I posted, I've been writing some other stuff for a podcast project I'm starting.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |


 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
It's been quite the weekend - we got 'new to us' furniture, and with that, we had to move my old stuff out - it was quite an undertaking. And then we hosted a dinner with our wedding party, and I have to say - we have an awesome group of people standing up with us for the wedding. But of course, doing all of this in one day left me tired. Very tired. And with a new, comfy couch, I found that taking a nap (or two or three), during the course of the day has left me up at this hour, which I realize for some podcasters is not late, but for little old me, it's the dead middle of the night. ( Cut for length to preserve your friends page )
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |

|
 |
|
 |