It's been a couple of weeks since PAX AUS, and while those following the Big Milkshake Podcast can look forward to hearing all about it there, I still wanted to share my thoughts here as well.
Unlikely as it sounds, none of us at Two19 had been to PAX before, so we didn't know quite what to expect. I will say though, PAX exceeded my expectations and was a truly amazing experience, not only for myself but for all of Two19 and, most importantly, Kingless. Getting to meet so many fans and share Kingless with so many new players was incredible.
When we started planning for PAX several months ago, we had many grand ideas of how we would present and demo Kingless. We very quickly swept them aside in favour of letting the game speak for itself, by playing with as many people as possible. I can confidently say that this was the right decision, as Kingless was very well received by everyone who had the opportunity to try it. We always set out to create a game that players could sit down with, play a couple of rounds, and quickly have a great time. It also helped that after years of development and testing, Nathan is well-versed in teaching the rules!
We have had lots of positive feedback since we shared Kingless with the world, but getting to speak in person and see their genuine enthusiasm for what we worked so hard to create was a very special feeling. One of my favourite moments was when someone told us they had played Kingless the night before with their friend, who brought it back from PAX after playing it with us. They were so taken with it that they came by to grab their own copy!
This was a continuing theme. Everyone that played Kingless thought it was great, and so many were willing to spend their hard-earned money to take it home that we ended up completely selling out. This does come with the caveat that you would struggle to find anyone more likely to enjoy Kingless than someone dedicated enough to tabletop games to be in the tabletop gaming hall of PAX. In turn, these same people know how to choose games they will enjoy for years to come, and many had insightful questions that showed a deep understanding of game mechanics and grew more excited the more they learned about Kingless.
Of course, PAX wasn't just about us! There were so many people, companies, and products there that I couldn't possibly give them all the time they deserved. In particular, seeing the other indie developers was fantastic, with all of them showing an outstanding level of talent and creativity. The Australian tabletop gaming industry is growing quickly, and I'm looking forward to the wonderful times that lie ahead.
Thank you so much to everyone who stopped by our stand for a game or two, purchased Kingless, asked us about the creative process, bumped into us in the hall, our fellow indie designers, and everyone who just had a chat. You're really what made PAX so special.
One thing is certain: We will be back at PAX AUS next year!
-Sebastian
