PAX 2024

PAX vs GDC: A Tale of Two Conferences

Tim has attended more PAX events than any other conference, including GDC. As a self-described introvert, the key difference is the vibe. GDC feels like work — networking, job-seeking, vendors pitching compilers and 3D tools. Running into people at GDC inevitably turns into "what are you working on?" and "can you get me a job?"

PAX is different. The energy is pure fun. People are there because they love games, and that enthusiasm is addictive. Tim describes arriving thinking "okay, let's do this" and then getting swept up in the enjoyment — games to try, cosplayers everywhere, and no transactional undertones.

Reunions with Former Colleagues

At the Five Nights at Freddy's booth, Tim ran into Brian Fauth, whom he worked with on the original Fallout over 25 years ago. Brian is now a creative director at Steel Wool Studios. While waiting to talk to Brian, Chris Stewart — the UX designer from The Outer Worlds — walked up, also working at Steel Wool. Tim learned that Glenn Latier, the UX artist from Outer Worlds, worked there too, though Tim never managed to catch him at the booth.

This captures what Tim loves about PAX: running into former colleagues in a relaxed setting where conversations are just friendly catch-ups, not professional maneuvering.

The Dice Addiction

Tim confesses to a dice addiction and spent significant time in the expo hall's merchant area. He circled vendors including Norse Foundry, Misty Mountain, and Foam Brain Games. He nearly bought steampunk dice but already owns brass metal dice. He ultimately purchased liquid-core glow-in-the-dark dice (purple, though he thought they were pink) — and now faces the dilemma of which existing set gets relegated from his full dice case.

Friends and Cosplay

Tim met two friends named Matt at the convention. One works in the game industry (engine work on Age of Empires), and they had lunch together despite knowing each other only about a year. The other Matt, an online friend of 10–20 years whom Tim was meeting in person for the first time, was cosplaying as Kratos from God of War — complete with detailed makeup and fixative spray. This Matt changed costumes multiple times throughout the convention, also appearing as Shipwreck from G.I. Joe (prompting a conversation about the Community episode "G.I. Jeff") and later as a courier from Death Stranding, with costumes featuring working lights and fine details.

Fallout Cosplayers Everywhere

Tim was struck by the sheer number of Fallout cosplayers at PAX — in the expo hall, the dealer room, waiting for panels, and at food trucks. He encountered one group of four adults and a baby in meticulously detailed Fallout outfits. Their Pip-Boys actually worked (using an iPhone running an app inside the prop), and even the baby had a bandolier of ammo dangling from the carrier.

Tim deliberately chose not to tell anyone he encountered that he was the creator of the original Fallout. He wanted the moment to be about the cosplayers, not himself. He later sent photos to Leonard Boyarsky, the original Fallout's lead artist, who loved them too.

Watching People Play Games

One of Tim's favorite activities at PAX is simply standing and watching people play games. He enjoys observing what makes players laugh, what gets them intense, and what frustrates them — calling it a practical way to study good and bad game design. For anyone wanting to treat PAX as a work trip, this kind of informal playtesting observation is invaluable.

Living in Seattle

Now that Tim lives in the Seattle area, attending PAX is trivial, and he plans to go every year. A few attendees recognized him from his YouTube channel, which he described as nice but not overwhelming. His takeaway: he loves attending as just a fan.

References

• Tim Cain. YouTube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I6PWzqzrTs