Crowded voices fill the halls at the Henry B. Gonzales Center in San Antonio during PAX South’s fourth convention. It’s 8 a.m. and hundreds of people are flocking the streets on the Alamo City’s Riverwalk, anxiously awaiting the day’s festivities. Enforcers clad in bright orange vests work in tandem with local convention staff and city police to admit the eager attendees of one of the largest video game events in the country.

Backpacks are checked and weapons are examined. Attendees acquiesce with natural cheer and sensibility. After all, the rules of PAX are there to protect everyone involved. Rule 1. Drugs are bad. Rule 2. Don’t steal. The list goes on.

A quick look at the world map shows the location of areas of interest. The first and most sought-after spot is the expo hall. With two hours remaining until the convention day officially opens, attendees line up in the queue — a massive line winding in a zig zag path with yellow tape and metal fences as boundaries.

Some sip on Starbucks coffee waking their minds and converse with a neighbor. Others sit patiently on the concrete floor content playing on their Nintendo Switch or smartphone. The waiting game is nothing new, and the most dedicated fans wanting first-come access have been patient for well over four hours in the queue.

Marketers parade the lines with flyers, “freebies” and promotional contests to amp the crowd. The clock strikes 10 a.m. and the crowd is unleashed into the expo area.

THE GAMES

Littered across the massive expanse are game developers with hands-on demos of their latest video game. Indie companies like Scavengers Studio showcase title The Darwin Project. Merchandise vendors like Otaku Café house fully functional arcade systems for players to duke it out. Publishers like Ysbryd feature developer games like YIIK: A Postmodern RPG and VA-11 HALL-A. Media distributors like Redbox offer free 1-day rental coupons to promote their services.

Highlighting some of the favorites at PAX South, here are a few notable titles.

Larian Studios showcased their extension of the hit PC title Divinity: Original Sin 2 for console on the XBOX One with splitscreen options for multiplayer. Players sat side-by-side on the couches in the booth experiencing the classic RPG.

Masquerade: Songs and Shadows has been out since September 30, 2016 by Witching Hour Studios. But when Publisher YSBRYD Games shared this gem, it was very easy to be taken in with the presentation. Diversity and depth in the character narratives along with beautiful art, Masquerade holds a lot of value in its turn-based strategy gameplay.

Slime-san is the underdog of the expo with its incredible simplicity and entertaining gameplay. Crafted by indie game developer Fabraz, the player is a slime minding its own business who gets swallowed by a giant worm. Now slime-san must ooze its way back out of the beasts belly. Packed with progressively harder puzzles, the platformer is equipped with plenty of Japanese and celebrity references.

DireWolfDigital continues to expand its card game Eternal with new content every patch. The game developer promoted the free-to-play title showcasing a new set called “The Dusk Road.” The low barrier to entry for incoming players is setting the game up as a formidable contender with established titles in the esports arena.

Painscreek Killings is a murder mystery where the player explores an abandoned town and discovers its secrets one clue at a time. EQ Studios does a wonderful job at creating intricate puzzles taking the player back and forth across the stunning landscape always wondering what is right around the corner.

Last Encounter blasted away with 4-player cooperative mayhem in a roguelike spaceship universe. Players assembled their weapon arsenal and jumped through star systems to unlock access to alien bosses threatening to annihilate the human race. A thrill to play with friends, Exordium Games has crafted a great social experience.

Monster Hunter World takes the cake as the most popular game at PAX South this year. Eager fans waited upward to 2 hours in line for a taste of the newest game still in beta. Working together with companions, the player embarks on quests to fight dangerous monsters that yield hearty rewards upgrading equipment needed to fight even stronger foes. The giant dragon above the PS4 and XBOX consoles foretells an epic journey that lies ahead.

THE PANELS

Topical panels brought interested members under their wing. One is aptly named “Choose Wisely: Entry Paths for Working in the Game Industry.” Expert panelists expressed their experiences including Rich Weil (SVP, Global Operations, Modsquad, Inc.) and Linda Carlson (Director of Community Relations, Trion Worlds.)

The narrative focused on entry-level opportunities like community moderation, quality assurance (game testing) and customer service representatives to get interested workers a foot in the door. The panelists laid down the hard truth of working in the games industry not holding back any punches.

“I was probably close to 40 at that time,” Carlson said. “It’s never too late to make that move if you have the passion and you have compiled the knowledge that you need to move into this industry.”

The main first steps they recommend is to find a company to be passionate for and build a good resume and cover letter. After that it’s a matter of luck — being in the right place at the right time.

Once a potential employee reaches the interview stage, Weil offers great interview questions to ask. “In 6 months what is it that people will dislike about you?” The question forces applicants to address their weaknesses. Another good question an applicant can ask the interviewee might be, “When do you want this position filled by?” A vague answer might signify that the hiring company isn’t very serious about it at all.

“AppJunkies Live: The Worst Games Ever Made” returned for it’s fifth year presenting at PAX. Hosted by Seven DeBord (Show Host & Founder, Nerf This / ELEAGUE, IndieHangover), the panel took a look at some of the worst mobile app games specially curated by the panelists. When the app’s didn’t flat out crash upon opening, there were cringe-worthy titles.

Notably was “Brick Splits” and “Slot Dictator”. The former involves one action. You stretch the legs of a black woman with a ghetto accent, and hope its just the right length to split a bridge on the two bricks below. Too short and the woman will fall to her death. Too long and magical nails will fall from the sky impaling her legs.

“Slot Dictator” puts the player in the shoes as North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un plays slots on his smartphone at a local burger joint. A big red launch button is pressed repeatedly until three symbols of the same kind line up and a subsequent custcene plays. When the player gets three Kim Jong’s in a row, the dictator drops some fries on the nuclear red button accidentally pushing it. A missile then propels towards Oak Brook, IL but falls short in the ocean with accompanying text.

“(Don’t) Lose Yourself in the Moment: Self-Care in Streaming” was the real MVP at PAX South. Moderated by Raffael Boccamazzo (Clinical Director, Take This) along with partnered streamers around the world, the panel tackles real-world concerns streamers face growing their online communities and taking care of their mental health.

Panelist MyLawyer Friend offered sound advice having a structure in place to alleviate a lot of the ‘what if’ disasters. He also recommended to communicate with others in the industry (like mods) to give a streamer piece of mind on air. Perhaps the most challenging part of streaming as MissKyliee says, is treating it as a businesses. Taxes need to be done and constant reaching out to other businesses and networking is needed to grow as a personal brand.

Spoon theory arose towards the end. The theory states that a spoon is a metaphor for the mental and emotional energy expended in a particular day. Everyone has a finite amount and depending on the activity, some may spend theirs very differently. For instance, getting out of bed can be challenging for some so they will need to spend a spoon.

The panelists said that it is okay to tweet out that a stream is cancelled for a day if the streamer has run out of spoons and doesn’t have the capacity to perform. True fans will understand and want the best for the persons well-being.

“Esports are for Everyone” came in with the intent to teach attendees how to refine their unique styles, make a business plan, and power their game to the next level. Led by Rydia Vielehr (Chief Event Organizer, StreetPass Boston) the panel represented a diverse set of roles in esports including journalism, cyber café, community management and commentary casting.

In itself, personal narratives were shared on how each panelist rose to prominence finding his or her niche in the industry. Smash Bros Caster “Keitaro” shared his early pro gamer days which transitioned him as a commentator then videographer for the CLG League of Legends house. He was surprised that in addition to the typical coach for strategy in a game, Holland met both mental and physical coaches that kept the players mind and body in good shape.

An outdated clip shows some of the leaps and strides esports makes.

The real highlight came during the Q&A session when people like Houston “ShadowHB3” asked what one should do if they want to be involved in esports, but didn’t know where he fit in. Moreso, he was worried he was getting too old at 31-years-old to be considered for opportunities. Sam Elizondo (Co-Owner, LFG Cyber Café) quickly chimed in telling Houston to pursue whatever he is most passionate about.

Elizondo sparked the idea of being a tournament organizer and reminded everyone that age should never hold someone back from doing the things they love. Houston was moved and inspired to find his place.

TWITCH TEXAS MIXER

5 p.m. rolls around and it’s time to network with fellow streamers at the Towers of America, a landmark wonder of San Antonio. Stepping outside the convention center into the cool breeze of a winter sunset, the sound of water cascades down stone steps on the Riverwalk. Up above the pillar erects itself with monstrous terror.

Inside, the mixer organizer scans event tickets and attendees are ushered to the elevator like sandwiched sardines. Up, up, up they go overlooking the rich landscape of the metropolis gleaming with hues of golden purple royalty as the sun slumbers away beyond the horizon.

Round tables adorned with black cloth invite bodies to sit and relax. A bartender serves drinks in one corner and a buffet of savory appetizers line the wall. Spicy cheese quesadillas, spinach artichoke and chocolate devil cakes drizzled in caramel delight the senses with each bite.

Dreadnought is the co-sponsor with StreamTexas. XSplit is there to promote itself too. Alongside the intangible are dozens of streamers, moderations and fans to reconnect in the real world or to simply make a new friend. There are clicks. Those people who stick to their own in-group, much like high school had its own segregation.

The loners are intimidated by the clicks. Yet they need only summon the courage of that social anxiety so common in gamers and introduce themselves to the click. After all, the clicks are just afraid of the unknown too. A few mumbling words later and soon the initiated have exchanged business cards, sharing laughs and fond memories of a bond in games.

The photo-op is abound. Take pictures. Lots of pictures. Make memories and cherish those ones whom stream and connect with viewers daily. They are a real person with feelings and personality just like everyone else. How good it is to be human. A sense of euphoria is sending fireworks in the head. What a glorious night. Is it a dream? Will it ever end?

9 p.m. rolls around and the party is dying down. Attendees are laughing as they are guided back to the elevator. Back to the earth from cloud 9. My, how time has flown. Still, they want to spend more time together. The night is still young. Carry the festivity downtown, to the hotel, or back at the convention center.

CONCLUSION

PAX South is a smashing success full of everything for everyone. Children play with LEGOS building the magical MINECRAFT worlds they’ve been inspired to. Adults dress in full costumes from animes and video games they love. Tables littered across the hall are filled with people playing or manner of board and card games. An arena is lighted with green strobes and players are duking it out in Super Smash Bros. as an audience cheers them on.

Upstairs throughout the hallway, one need only poke his or her head into rooms like the arcade studio, AFK room, or open jam to let loose some musical talent. The activities at PAX South are many, none short of demand. A three day coming-together to celebrate the great thing humans call video games.

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