That is a very good question. What is success? I know PAX was a success to me. What makes me think that PAX was a success?
The biggest reason is PAX opened my eyes to the world of gaming. I didn't realize that I had such tunnel vision on gaming. There are really alot of great games out there. I found plenty of games that ending up on My Top Five Games of PAX list that I never even had on my radar.
How do such great games never catch most players eyes? Are we influenced by what other players like, and don't give some games even a fighting chance?
A good example is
Rift Planes of Telara, and
Tera-Online. Both these games seem amazing to me. I plan on playing both, but before PAX it would of never happened. Why do I say that? It is simple. Seeing, and playing these games in person beats any videos, screenshots, or other media.
Another way PAX was a success was giving away free trials, and betas. I have heard of
Lego Universe, and
Fallen Earth, but never had the urge to try them. PAX made me change my mind. Currently I am playing the Lego Universe beta, and having a blast for a game that I thought was made for little kids. So was it the LEGO name, or what that made me think that?
I will also be downloading my Fallen Earth 30 day trial. After spending a little time at the booth the game seems pretty interesting. I like the idea of almost everything in the game is player crafted. I have always liked crafting, but since DAOC, and SWG the crafting in games hasn't really interested me. The game also plays more like a shooter which will be fun to see how that plays into an mmorpg game.
All in all I really enjoyed my time at PAX this year. It was my first time, and I don't see how I could ever not go to one again. It totally rejuvenated me, and 2011 is going to be a great year for gaming.
