Day Five - August 5

Leaving Las Vegas

7:30 a.m. PDT - Fan Faire 2007is officially over and I just made it through the longest airport security line I've ever seen.

Apparently, half of Las Vegas leaves on Sunday - at the same time. I thought the line for the banquet was long.

Sony Online Entertainment put on a good show for its customers. This was the first year SWG was allowed to participate, and the team did a good job.

There were a few bugs here and there (we are talking about SWG after all), but I was really impressed with how smoothly everything went. I'm already looking forward to the next one.

Hats off to SOE and to LucasArts for making this happen.

My plane is boarding now, so it's back to the real world ... at least until I get home.

- Sabrehawk

Day Four - August 4

A Good Time Was Had by All

11:25 p.m. PDT - The closing banquet was a rousing success ... well, except for the part where they forgot to set aside tables for SWG and Vanguard players. We managed to commandeer a few tables ... after all, who wants to take on Virrago and a pair of Wookiee females?

The costume contest was a lot of fun. As expected, there are lot of talented people here and they like to dress up. Also as expected, there were lots of EverQuest and EverQuest II costumes, even a gnome or two. They just made the others stand out from the crowd.

From the Star Wars Galaxies crew, there were a Dark Jedi and an Entertainer with a remarkably accurate bandfill. The Dark Jedi made the final 10.

There was also an Agent and a Zionite from the Matrix Online and a handful of pirates from the Pirates of the Burning Sea. Fortunately, no ninjas showed up.

Aside from the Dark Jedi, the costume that drew the most reaction was a familiar face to the Fan Faire crowd ... or a familiar beard, anyway. Brasse was chosen as the winner of this year's contest, a well-deserved honor since she spent most of Fan Faire in her dwarf armor, helping with the EQ live quests.

On a side note, why are all dwarves Scottish?

The main event at the banquet was the wedding of two EverQuest II players. Escorted to the main stage by Lord Vader and a small Stormtrooper contingent, along with Firiona Vie and Antonia, the costumed couple was married on the main stage, then in game in the first simultaneous real-world, virtual wedding.

I'm ashamed to say I didn't catch the names of the newlyweds, but I do wish them all the good fortune in the world. Here's hoping they receive lots of phat lewt.

And here's hoping I can get some sleep. 5 a.m. will be here very soon.

- Sabrehawk

Feeding the Masses

7:15 p.m. PDT - If you've never seen 1,600 people lined up for a buffet - from the back - it's a little frightening.

The only other time I've seen this many people in a line, there was a football game at the other end.

Mixed in with the crowd are all the costume contest entrants, all geared up and ready to show off their creations. Dwarves, elves, an SWG entertainer and a Dark Jedi - and, jumping the gun a little - several pirates are all ready to strut their stuff on the big stage.

Here's hoping they cooked plenty of food. Now ... how do I get to the bar without a snowplow?

- Sabrehawk

There Can Be Only One

6:55 p.m. PDT - What can I say about The Gathering? It was like all the panels rolled into one. Smedley sat in for the first hour, but all the attention was focused on the development team.

Well, nearly all. LucasArts producer Jake Neri and DeadMeat handed out prizes for answering trivia questions, and several players walked away with replica lightsabers and blasters,as well as the occasional T-shirt.

After the panel, Rhino and I had to stick around for a few more minutes for our scheduled interviews with DeadMeat, Blixtev, Tunso and Pex.

We finished up just as Damien Metz, the 501st commander who helped GreyPawn during the Live Quest, showed up with a couple of other folks to help with the special wedding that's scheduled to take place during the final banquet, along with the costume contest.

Speaking of which, I'm getting hungry.

- Sabrehawk

Wanna Fight About It?

4:17 p.m. PDT - After the Testing panel, we headed to "Let's Not Fight About Combat".

The room was packed. Seems like nearly everyone had something to say about combat, whether PvE or PvP. It was an interesting discussion, to say the least. More on that later.

We've got a few minutes before the final panel, "Star Wars Galaxies: The Gathering", a two-hour discussion which will feature most of the development team, along with SOE president John Smedley.

I think I saw sign that said "No weapons".

- Sabrehawk

Face Time with the Dev Team

11:55 a.m. PDT - It's been a nice, relaxing morning so far.

The first SWG panel of the day isn't until 1 p.m., so we've been hanging out in the Legends Lounge with members of the development team. Turns out they're really a fun bunch (even if some were suffering a few after effects from last night's pool party.

GreyPawn is just as funny in person as he is on the forums, and Virrago ... well,he hasn't banned anyone yet, even when the guys from Bloodfin came around.

We're headed to lunch, then the Testing 1-2-3 discussion panel. Should be interesting.

- Sabrehawk

Is it time to get up already?

9:18 a.m. PDT - It's another morning here in Las Vegas, and Rhino and I are headed off to the Rio for the final day of Fan Faire.

More panel discussions, developer interviews and the costume contest are on today's agenda.

Wish us luck.

- Sabrehawk

Day Three - August 3

Fat Bottomed Girls

12:15 a.m. PDT - Alright ... I understand there's video of this, so I might as well own up to it now.

I sang Queen's "Fat Bottomed Girls" with the karaoke band Metalsome Monday at the pool party. I wanted to do "Baby Got Back", but it wasn't on the list.

Anyway, we survived the party relatively intact. Rhino's busy editing video, I'm writing and uploading pictures and we're both wishing it was a lot earlier.

I'm going to bed ... eventually.

- Sabrehawk

Smed Speaks

6:55 p.m. PDT - So here's the deal ... SOE has made yet another EverQuest game.

This one, called Legends of Norrath, is a collectible card game with a twist. It's played in game, and players of EverQuest and EQ II can actually issue challenges and play each other, without logging out.

Cards will be added as loot drops in both games, and special item cards can be used to customize a player's avatar.

So why do we care? One word - cross-server Sabacc tournaments. After the address, I tossed that idea Smedley's way and he seemed to agree it would be a cool idea ... if they can get LucasArts excited about it.

Idiot's Array, anyone?

Anyway, I'm hungry and the poolside party starts at 8 p.m. I hear there's an open bar and a live karaoke band. I may not survive.

- Sabrehawk

The Big Announcement

5:15 p.m. PDT - After the space panel, we had a few minutes before the big community address from SOE president John Smedley, so we spent some time talking to fellow SWG players, making guesses about the coming "top-secret announcement" concerning a new game from SOE.

The rumors are running rampant, but I guess we'll find out shortly.

- Sabrehawk

Slightly Awkward Surpise

3:45 p.m. PDT - After talking to Brenlo, I took a trip to the facilities.

On the way in the door, I noticed a familiar face on his way out - fantasy artist Larry Elmore.

Larry and I go way back, to my days as a convention coordinator for a pen-and-paper RPG company. We spent a summer on the convention circuit and I got a chance to get to know him.

He's always been one of my favorite artists, ever since his days working with TSR on various Advanced Dungeons and Dragons products, magazine covers and book covers.

He was at Fan Faire as a player selection for his work on the EverQuest titles, and after hearing me talk about him, Rhino scoped out his booth and is now the proud owner of his own Elmore print.

Next up, the Space panel.

- Sabrehawk

Waiting for Crosby

2:32 p.m. PDT - After the art panel, Rhino and I headed over to the Everquest Best of the Best Tournament, where SOE director of community management Alan "Brenlo" Crosby was acting as master of ceremonies.

During a short break, Alan told us he'd have a chance to talk to us around 3 p.m. So until then, we'll be here hanging out with SOE Associate Producer David "Vapor" Jones, SWG designers Travis "Shadowbrak" Hicks and Mark "Tunso" Halash, SOE forum king Paul "Virrago" Williams, new community management specialist Kelly "Valara" Knox and QA supervisor Taylor Haley.

Not a bad bunch to spend some time with.

- Sabrehawk

Saber juggling, puzzles and Mon Calamari Operation

12:18 p.m. PDT - After we grabbed some breakfast, we headed over to the Rio and arrived just in time for the SWG Live Quest.

This involved several groups of 10 people completing a series of physical and mental challenges set up by SWG Events Manager Jason "Pex" Ryan and staffed by various other devs, along with members of the Neon City Garrison of the 501st Legion in full costume as various Jedi, stormtroopers and Boba Fett.

Of the physical challenges, saber juggling seemed the most fun. Players had to use plastic lightsabers to keep a balloon in the air for 30 seconds. No player could hit the balloon more than three consecutive times. Things seemed to go better when SWG Community Manager Joe "GreyPawn" Pishgar (who was sporting his best Emperor Palpatine cloak) allowed players to hold the sabers by the blade.

It actually did work better that way, and only a few folks lost fingers.

Among the other challenges were Mon Calamari Operation for the medics, Lego shipbuilding for the traders, blaster training for the combat types and Lorin"DeadMeat" Jameson's trivia challenge.

Next up is the SWG art panel, "Bringing Star Wars to Life".

- Sabrehawk

I Hate Mornings

9:10 a.m. PDT - It's Friday. Fan Faire Day. It's also early. I don't like early.

On the other hand, today's the day we get to speak with SOE global community manager Alan Crosby, as well as sit in on our first discussion panels. It could be fun.

I'll let you know when I wake up.

- Sabrehawk

Day Two - August 2

10:30 p.m. PDT - The Voodoo Lounge is pretty cool.

By cool, I mean high. By high, I mean on the roof of the Rio. Well, outside on the 51st floor anyway.

The reception was pretty cool, with free food, loud music and more gamers than you could shake a nerf bat at.

We ran into SOE global Community Manager Alan Crosby, SWG Community Manager Joe GreyPawn Pishgar, producer David Vapor Jones, Events Manager Jason Pex Ryan, a bunch of Planetside devs, EverQuest II WarCry Site Manager Kenn White and a whole passel of SWG players.

We also had an incredible view of Las Vegas at night. Thank goodness it didn't rain.

Tomorrow morning, Fan Faire starts in earnest. If nothing breaks, we should be all set. We'll see what happens.

- Sabrehawk

Red Shirt, Blue Shirt

6:30 p.m. PDT - Our trip to Best Buy turned out to be a bust.

We found a camera that would work, but it was sold out. Then we found another. Sold out. This went on for a bit.

Finally, we left the blue shirt standing there with her sold-out display and went next door to Circuit City. First one we looked at? In stock. Winner? Red shirt.

Of course, Rhino had to complain a bit, since he got downgraded from a professional DV camera to a handheld, but he seems way less disgruntled.

So,sort of an up-and-down day so far. On the good side, we got registered and received our SOE gift bags. On the bad side, all the footage we shot earlier in the afternoon turned out to be unuable. We'll have to make it up on the back nine.

For now, we're off to the Voodoo Lounge on the roof of the Rio for the SOE Welcome reception.

Party on!

- Sabrehawk

Registration, Side Trip, Video Lessons

5:05 p.m. PDT - After rousing ourselves from our long sleep, we headed over to the Rio at about 3 p.m., where the SOE folks were busy setting up the registration booth.

They only had an hour left, and the line already stretched from the convention all the way back to the restaurant area. Since we didn't want to stand in line and I had this great idea to interview players while they waited in line, Rhino broke out the video gear, mic'd me up and off we went.

Here's where it gets fun ... About halfway down the line (which boasted way more EverQuest and EverQuest II players than anything else), Rhino checks the playback on his professional camera.

"I think we need a head cleaner."

I should have known right there that things were going downhill, but I remained optimistic. Rhino managed to find some alcohol and cotton swabs for an emergency cleaning, and things were looking up again.

Until he noticed the broken head. The camera checked out fine before he left, he said, but, apparently, something happened between there and here.

At this point, Rhino is pretty p***ed off, but I manage to stay positive, mutter something about improvising, adapting and overcoming and manage to keep him calm. So, off we go to Best Buy in search of an emergency replacement camera.

Hopefully, we'll be back before registration closes.

- Sabrehawk

Late Sleepers

2:00 p.m. PDT - After I checked the schedule again, I realized registration didn't open until 4 p.m. so we got a chance to sleep in.

Definitely a good idea, too, since now I'm all refreshed and ready to go. Rhino, on the other hand, is rapidly becoming weather-obsessed. See, it's still threatening to rain even more here in the desert.

Must be the rainy season.

- Sabrehawk

Day One - August 1

Knights, Ladies and More Slots

12:10 a.m. PDT - Finally, we make it back to the room.

After less-than-stellar afternoon excursion to the casino, we decided our time might be better spent taking in a show or two. Also, we were thinking about dinner.

The Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur fit two of those categories, so off we went to check out the knights of old and their authentic, medieval plastic mugs of Pepsi products.

All in all, the show wasn't bad. It was a little cheesy, but that was for the kids. We also had bad seats.

On another note ... someone should tell these people that diners in Middle Ages used knives and the occasional spoon at the table. We had to eat with our fingers. According to the brochure, this was in an effort to add "to the authenticity of the times." Never mind the plastic mugs and bowls.

Afterward,we still had some energy left, so we rolled next door to the Luxor pyramid, where Rhino again tried his hand at the slots, making a 42 percent profit ... on $10.

It was nearing time for Fantasy at the Luxor and we had tickets, so after a few fortifying, purely medicinal beers (and some kind of strange strawberry drink for Rhino, we headed in.

Awesome show. That's really all I can say, except that the ladies were quite lovely and apparently a little chilly.

On the way back, Rhino hit the penny slots. This was not a good idea.

At any rate, Fan Faire registration opens tomorrow morning, and we'll be ready to go (if I can get Rhino down from the rafters - he's convinced the elevators are haunted).

- Sabrehawk

Three-card Poker; Rhino finds the slots

2:33 p.m. PDT - Poker with three cards sounds easy enough. You ante up, the dealer hands you three cards and takes three of her own. You're trying for high card, pair, three-of-a-kind or a straight flush. Once you see what you have, you can bet or fold.

This looked like fun, so I tried my hand. I was up $25 before they changed the dealer. I ended up walking away with a $5 chip.

Meanwhile, Black Rhino, my trusty cameraman and sidekick, made a unique discovery over by the bar. Black Rhino slots!

That would almost have to be a sure thing, right? Not so much. I did get a chance to have a beer while Rhino was beating on the touchscreen with a chair.

I'll check in again later. Word is, there's jousting on the menu.

- Sabrehawk

Early Morning, Arrival, Weather Woes

12:23 pm. PDT - I woke up way too early this morning.

My flight left at 7:05 a.m., which meant I had to get up at 5. Now, for most people, that's not so bad. For me, well ... that's normally when I start thinking about going to bed.

I did receive a pleasant surprise when I got the airport ... some nice ticket agent had upgraded me to first class. Thank you, nice lady!

That nice seat turned out to be even nicer once the plane landed in Vegas. We were stuck about 200 yards from the terminal for about 45 minutes, because - now pay attention here - the lightning was too dangerous for the ground crew to move the plane that was in our slot.

That's right ... we flew all the way to the desert and it starts raining, an almost Biblical rain. There were flash flood warnings. They were building an ark by the Luxor pyramid. I saw animals pairing up on the side of the road.

All this rain kind of kills my plan of walking around and exploring. Oh, well ... I guess we can explore the hotel casino.

- Sabrehawk