[nerdcore]

I've been to PAX east, which is pretty big. Has anyone been to both PAXe and Mag and can compare the two? One really cool thing about PAX was all the big name vendors in the industry, it doesn't look like MAG really has that; what is your favorite part?

Also, is there any place close by that people plan on going out to drink/party at?

[SNESmaster]

As for lines, usually you get there like 10 minutes before. AVGN and That Guy were the exceptions last year. You had to get there about an hour before to get a good seat up front.

[StriderNeko]

To keep clutter to a minimum, I'm just going to add my questions to this thread since I'm also new to Magfest!

1. Compared to Otakon (and previous Magfests I guess) how big can Magfest be? I've been to Otakon 2009-2011 and each year, it seems to get a little bigger. But Otakon is almost always crowded, lines are often huge, and nearly everything got delayed last year due to the big lines, etc. Is Magfest that chaotic? From what I'm reading, It's sounding a little more peaceful then Otakon.

2. Parking is always a bit of a big deal for me. It's probably hard to believe this, but Otakon is the only convention I've ever been to, and parking in Baltimore just sucks. bad. It seems this is at a hotel (and always was) so I'm imaging parking is right at the hotel? And if so, do you have to pay to park?

3. Lines are also something I'd like to know about. I really want to see the AVGN and probably listen to a few of the bands. At Otakon, I'd often arrive 1 hour to 90 minutes early due to them being so bad.

4. I read on the front page that the Minibosses are playing this year... but they aren't on the schedule. I know it can be changed at anytime, but does anyone know if their still performing?

1. Having been to Otakon in the past myself a couple years, and much more recently, to MAGFest the last two years, a very different experience. It's chaotic, but considerably less so than Otakon, and you don't get elbowed and knocked over by people running about or shoving at all, compared to Otakon :)

2. Parking, MAGFest is much better on that, and even though this is a larger Hotel, the experience should remain the same, Parking isn't remotely the pain it is at the hotels all around Otakon (I know that pain all too well). Parking, from what I've seen, at this hotel, is a lower, MAGFest rate of $11 per night, which is fantastic, compared to prices I've seen in the past.

3. Lines, If it's AVGN, yeahhh, you'd better get there early. His line is the only one pretty long. I'd arrive an hour early to be safe, sadly, just because he's that popular. Otherwise, it's all been very reasonable in the past, and even though the jump in attendance happened and the bigger place, there's never been any "lines" for concerts except for the very first concert, when the doors haven't opened yet or the bands are setting up. Otherwise, you just generally walk into the concert room and enjoy, leave when you like, wander back in when you like.

4. The Minibosses, I believe they're on the second stage this year, I've seen that they're playing too, but haven't seen anything concrete, but you could check the Schedule, I believe it's been posted and should be updated as things change.

~StriderNeko

[rodami2251]

To keep clutter to a minimum, I'm just going to add my questions to this thread since I'm also new to Magfest!

1. Compared to Otakon (and previous Magfests I guess) how big can Magfest be? I've been to Otakon 2009-2011 and each year, it seems to get a little bigger. But Otakon is almost always crowded, lines are often huge, and nearly everything got delayed last year due to the big lines, etc. Is Magfest that chaotic? From what I'm reading, It's sounding a little more peaceful then Otakon.

2. Parking is always a bit of a big deal for me. It's probably hard to believe this, but Otakon is the only convention I've ever been to, and parking in Baltimore just sucks. bad. It seems this is at a hotel (and always was) so I'm imaging parking is right at the hotel? And if so, do you have to pay to park?

3. Lines are also something I'd like to know about. I really want to see the AVGN and probably listen to a few of the bands. At Otakon, I'd often arrive 1 hour to 90 minutes early due to them being so bad.

4. I read on the front page that the Minibosses are playing this year... but they aren't on the schedule. I know it can be changed at anytime, but does anyone know if their still performing?

Heh thats funny is magfest chaotic. Dont worry about parking there is plenty and it costs $11/day. If you are worried about seeing avgn for sure then ya you can wait in line if you like. I am guessing you wouldnt need any more than 90 minutes to make sure you got a good seat. I digress I will leave more spefic answers to people who have been to magfest longer then me.

[Gentlemen2011]

To keep clutter to a minimum, I'm just going to add my questions to this thread since I'm also new to Magfest!

1. Compared to Otakon (and previous Magfests I guess) how big can Magfest be? I've been to Otakon 2009-2011 and each year, it seems to get a little bigger. But Otakon is almost always crowded, lines are often huge, and nearly everything got delayed last year due to the big lines, etc. Is Magfest that chaotic? From what I'm reading, It's sounding a little more peaceful then Otakon.

2. Parking is always a bit of a big deal for me. It's probably hard to believe this, but Otakon is the only convention I've ever been to, and parking in Baltimore just sucks. bad. It seems this is at a hotel (and always was) so I'm imaging parking is right at the hotel? And if so, do you have to pay to park?

3. Lines are also something I'd like to know about. I really want to see the AVGN and probably listen to a few of the bands. At Otakon, I'd often arrive 1 hour to 90 minutes early due to them being so bad.

4. I read on the front page that the Minibosses are playing this year... but they aren't on the schedule. I know it can be changed at anytime, but does anyone know if their still performing?

Heh thats funny is magfest chaotic. Dont worry about parking there is plenty and it costs $11/day. If you are worried about seeing avgn for sure then ya you can wait in line if you like. I am guessing you wouldnt need any more than 90 minutes to make sure you got a good seat. I digress I will leave more spefic answers to people who have been to magfest longer then me.

wait this the parking price factored into the rooms price or separately?

[StriderNeko]

wait this the parking price factored into the rooms price or separately?

Separately, to my knowledge.

[rodami2251]

wait this the parking price factored into the rooms price or separately?

Separately, to my knowledge.

Yes separately its $11/day for each car . There is tax on the resort fee and parking is not taxed. When I reserved my room I asked the hotel person.

[ninjafats]

I've been to PAX east, which is pretty big. Has anyone been to both PAXe and Mag and can compare the two? One really cool thing about PAX was all the big name vendors in the industry, it doesn't look like MAG really has that; what is your favorite part?

Also, is there any place close by that people plan on going out to drink/party at?

I haven't been to Mag yet, but I'm really hoping it's better than PAXe. Paxe is TOO big, to the point where I almost have a hard time enjoying myself. I also am not a big fan of seeing big name vendors. I want it to be about gaming and hanging out, not looking at Nvidia and Nintendo's latest crap. I know it helps pay for things though. But I'd rather see more indie artists, musicians, developers, etc. I have the same problem at most comic conventions. It's all Marvel and DC.

As for drinks and partying, I fully plan on bringing my own bottle, since I don't know the area. I know it was problematic at PAXe because the only nearby bar was pretty up there price wise.

My favorite part? Well I haven't been yet, but if they have pinball machines, then I will tell you that is my favorite part. That and the music. And the board games. And the....

[picky33]

I'm new to MAGFest, what time on thursday does everything start ( aka when should i get their to start gaming