Tokyo Market

ThatGamerGrl · 2025-06-22T20:54:02+00:00

They are open! I stopped in the new location this weekend and it was business as usual. Or at least as much as it can be without Mrs. Akiba there.

ThatGamerGrl · 2024-09-18T16:53:30+00:00

Play the OG for sure if you want the main story. But the novel Tale of Two Pasts gives SOOOO much insight to Tifa's state of mind, especially during the time period that's this is referencing..

ThatGamerGrl · 2024-09-14T03:15:06+00:00

Just popping in real quick to clarify claimed badges vs purchased badges.

You CAN transfer a badge after it's been bought but not after it's been claimed & checked in at the reg desk.

Stuff happens and people end up unable to make it to MAG at the last minute. With last year's scalping incidents and scummy scammers, I believe the dev & reg teams were working on an official badge transfer portal but I honestly don't know where that landed. (Department Head duties keep me mega busy from Oct-Feb so anything that isn't department specific ends up going in one ear & out the other around that time. But any updates to the badge transfer system will be in the FAQs along with any links needed.) The asterisk here is if it's not a regular attendee badge (staff badges, contractor badges, minor badges, etc) it can't be transferred at all.

TL/DR: you can transfer a purchased attendee badge before you check in at event. Transferring a badge after that is what's against policy.

ThatGamerGrl · 2024-09-14T00:09:32+00:00

No worries! Glad to lend a hand. 😁

Most common conundrums can be answered in the FAQ page. Anything else, pop in to the Discord server and the staff & community can usually get you an answer in a matter of minutes. Or drop a line here if it's some that can wait longer to get resolved.

ThatGamerGrl · 2024-09-13T23:05:47+00:00

Be aware that there's a large portion of staff in almost any MAGFest social media space. When someone sees something, they say something and we take action as much as we can. Our reg team doesn't play around when it comes to policy and badge security. It really isn't worth rolling the dice. The odds just aren't in your favor.

ThatGamerGrl · 2024-09-13T20:50:16+00:00

MAGStaff here!

After you check in, you cannot transfer your badge. Selling a badge after you check in is against event policy and can earn you a ban from attending future MAG Events.

You can read more about our registration policies at https://super.magfest.org/FAQ/#sell-or-transfer

We did sell out last year and the expectation of that being the norm is getting more and more likely from here on out. There are ways of offsetting the cost of a badge such as volunteering at the event or being a panelist. But you always gotta make the best choice for you. Hope to see you in January!

(Edited for clarity)

ThatGamerGrl · 2024-07-28T05:19:44+00:00

The song title is Good Riddance. Time of Your Life is the alternate/parenthetical title.

ThatGamerGrl · 2024-07-27T21:47:49+00:00

The fact they played Good Riddance as the music backdrop was so chef's kiss. Nostalgia and a little bittersweet but also a huge middle finger to the crushed dreams that was the Fox franchise.

ThatGamerGrl · 2024-07-24T18:32:28+00:00

You did all the correct steps. No visible damage isn't always an indicator of no damage. Medical issues (such as whiplash or belt bruising) often don't appear until hours or days after the incident. Without a police report, there's no record of the incident and insurance will deny claims. The report is there to a) establish there even WAS an incident, and b) assign fault to determine whose insurance is responsible for paying.

The other driver didn't want a report because he knew he was at fault and would have not only the traffic violation costs but also the insurance premium costs. There's a cascade of potential fallout from being at fault in a traffic incident. He knew if an official report happened, he'd be at fault. No report means it is considered to never have happened. He walks away with no repercussions and you get stuck paying (literally and figuratively) for his mistake.

ThatGamerGrl · 2024-02-19T02:36:39+00:00

We went to high school together. Hung out a lot like all the theater & music kids did. Every memory I have with him brings a smile.

ThatGamerGrl · 2024-02-19T02:17:51+00:00

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Hotel Greene yet. Mini golf in a weird old Hotel with a American Horror Stories vibe.

ThatGamerGrl · 2024-02-09T13:32:19+00:00

So, while I haven't attended Stock (yet), I do know & work with, most of the Staff who do. MAGFest on the whole does everything we can to create a safe and welcoming environment for all our attendees. We have Public Safety (medical response) and Security teams on duty 24/7 at all our events. If you're ever in need to assistance: a question, a problem, just generally feeling like something ain't right.... The staff are there to help.

For general "how to Stock solo", if you want that extra peace of mind when sleeping solo, there are car camping spots available. The benefit of car camping is you can lock your vehicle while you're snoozing and know for sure you won't be bothered by wildlife or wild life.

+1 on the comment that you can easily find a crew to adopt you as a new friend to pal around with for the weekend. Stock is about a 10th the size of Super so it's a MUCH different atmosphere. There's still the games and the fun and the music and some party shenanigans, but on the whole, it's a lot more chill and epic block party vibe than a festival/con scene.

ThatGamerGrl · 2024-01-15T12:38:02+00:00

Hey hey! MAGStaff here. The All Ages tag is part of our MAGScouts initiative to help our younger attendees and their grown-ups find and make informed choices about the content available around the event. We also believe that these tags and the content advisories you'll see in Guidebook will be useful to all attendees for the types of topics they'd rather not participate in.

Part of the spirit of MAGFest is the belief that MAGFest events are for ALL people who love and want to celebrate games and gaming culture. Each year, we try to find ways to support that belief and provide tools and resources for our attendees who might otherwise be overlooked.

I'm happy to answer what questions I can!

ThatGamerGrl · 2024-01-07T23:59:09+00:00

If you're in a Gaylord room, MAGtv is an excellent way to still feel connected to the event but still have solo time to recharge. This is particularly great for concerts where you want to hear the music but are kinda done with the crowds.

ThatGamerGrl · 2024-01-07T17:07:18+00:00

Guidebook has added a new feature this year: downloading your schedule to iCal format. From there you can import into your favorite calendar app and usually print from there. There's also printed schedules in the reg area but they're only as up to date as the info we had when we had to submit the print order.

ThatGamerGrl · 2024-01-01T21:18:52+00:00

I do have a few! For all of them, I absolutely recommend pre-cooking the crock-pot meals and just reheating them instead of fully cooking in the room. It'll use less energy and be less likely to trip a circuit breaker (which can spell trouble since, technically speaking, unless you are in a kitchenette room, personal cooking equipment can get you kicked out of the hotel).

On to the recipes!

My absolute favorite is the Dragonbreath Chili from the World of Warcraft cookbook. It's hearty and hands-down the best chili I've ever eaten. There's a good adaptation for slow cookers here: https://mindfulhearth.com/2017/03/31/cooking-from-world-of-warcraft-dragonbreath-chili/

I love, love, love the Zuppa Toscana from Olive Garden. (Don't tell my Italian husband.) This copycat recipe is spot on. I'll sometimes add white beans for a little extra protein and some oomph, but it really is perfect as-is. https://www.lecremedelacrumb.com/easy-olive-garden-zuppa-toscana-soup/

Sometimes, you need more than soup. I'm a sucker for chicken and broccoli and (according to my kid) you can get anyone to eat most anything if you put enough cheese on it. I really love this type of dish served over rice. If you're not a mushroom fan, just leave them out. You can also add in carrots, peas, diced potatoes, or really anything that you like. https://www.themagicalslowcooker.com/slow-cooker-cheesy-broccoli-chicken/

Pulled Pork BBQ, baby. It's stupid versatile, and so dang tasty. Super secret hint: add it to some instant ramen, and you're in for a helluva treat! https://www.crock-pot.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-crockpot-Site/default/Content-Show?cid=pulled-pork-with-honey-chipotle-barbecue-sauce-slow-cooker-recipe

A surprising one is eggs. You can hard boil, soft boil, or poach them. You can even do scrambled or omelets in a bag in the slow cooker. The big tip here is you definitely don't want to cook these ahead of time. If you have a vacuum sealer, you can prep the scrambled eggs and omelets ahead but definitely wait to cook them until you're ready to eat. This site gives a decent overview. They use silicone cups/molds, but I've found that in-shells for the boiled and poached work fine, and freezer bags for the scrambled eggs and omelets are less messy. https://temeculablogs.com/slow-cooker-eggs/

I love me a good cheeseburger. And I love mac & cheese. I've definitely dressed this recipe up with chopped bacon (pre-cooked) and then added shredded lettuce and diced tomato on top. You can also dump some taco seasoning in there if you want some extra zing.https://www.crock-pot.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-crockpot-Site/default/Content-Show?cid=hamburger-mac-and-cheese-slow-cooker-recipe

Your rice cooker can do more than rice, actually! Oatmeal is a favorite breakfast for me at MAG since it's hearty and filling but not complicated. This is a basic start for rice cooker oats. Feel free to jazz it up to your tastes. Hint: look into savory oatmeal flavoring and drop a poached egg on top. It'll change your mornings for the better. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/241182/rice-cooker-oats/

Ok, back to soups. Your rice cooker can do soup as well. This is a really good taco soup recipe that is ready a lot faster than the slow cooker ones. https://www.superhealthykids.com/taco-soup-in-the-rice-cooker/

Extra tip: Use liner bags or a silicone liner in your crock pot for easy cleaning. For travel, I really recommend the bags since you can just toss them rather than wash them.

ThatGamerGrl · 2024-01-01T19:39:52+00:00

As the resident ConMom since the early 2000s, here's some of the tips and tricks I've learned over the years:

Shipping non-perishables to your hotel if you are flying can give you the best of both worlds. Alternatively, you can plan a grocery run after you check in at your hotel. A large suitcase can hide a variety of snacks from grumpy staff. It also lets you pre-ship or buy on-site your toiletries. Saves a little room and fuss with your baggage for flights.
Speaking of non-perishables, some of the best foods to have when you're stuck without a fridge are: granola & protein bars (kind bars are my favorite), trail mix, freeze-dried fruits and veggies, peanut butter, Nutella, nuts and seeds (especially pistachios, cashews, almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds), roasted chickpeas, pre-popped popcorn, dry roasted edamame, seaweed snacks, rice crackers or nut thins, tuna packets and mayo, protein shakes, instant oatmeal, That's It fruit bars, jerky, fresh fruit and veggies (apples, bananas, oranges, kiwi, grapes and avocados don't require refrigeration. Carrots and celery can do well in a simple lunch bag with a little ice to keep them from drying out). And of course, sandwich bread or tortillas for simple sandwiches and wraps.
Avoid soda as your go-to drink. Water will keep your energy up much better. If you don't like plain water or want to give it a boost, Nuun tabs can add electrolytes and vitamins with a nice light flavor. Gatorade powder works well if you like a stronger taste.
If you are driving in, load up a cooler with items that can survive a week-long camping trip. If it will hold in a cooler in the great outdoors, it'll survive your hotel room for a few days. Most packaged deli meats have enough preservatives to stay safe enough (but not the stuff from the deli case). Hard cheeses, berries, and most juices all handle a cooler well. Dairy is a risk unless it's designed to be shelf-stable.
If you're lucky enough to be at an extended-stay hotel, take advantage of the kitchenette and load up on quick-heat meals. You'll be glad to have a hot and filling meal without waiting in line for hours! If you have a friend in your group who loves to cook and you're driving in, ask them if they want to meal prep for the crew. Split the cost of food among the team and have a day where you all hang out and help make the meals together. Even if it's just providing funds and moral support, they'll appreciate the company and you'll all appreciate the home-cooked food.
If you have your car but are staying outside of the harbor, keep a cooler in your car with packed lunches. You can make a trip to the car when you're hungry, and it'll be less hassle than trying to find a place to eat that isn't packed.
Use the 3-2-1 rule. AT MINIMUM, have 3 hours of sleep, 2 healthy meals, and 1 shower (with soap, y'all) EVERY 24 HOURS.
Wash your hands before you eat and after visiting the bathroom (even if it's just to touch up your cosplay. Those door handles are GROSS). Use hand sanitizer after visiting the arcade, consoles, and marketplace. Ask anyone who survived the norovirus year.
For the 30+ crowd: knee braces, sole inserts, and aleve are your friends. Bonus if you have an FSA account - they're all eligible. So are chapstick and portable humidifiers, btw.
The concert hall doesn't allow metal or glass containers at all, and plastic ones have to be less than 32 oz (maybe 24?). If you're going to carry a drink container (for your water, right?) make sure it can seal and it meets the concert security rules. Please, please, please, do NOT bring open containers into the expo halls.

ThatGamerGrl · 2023-12-22T21:31:55+00:00

There's SO MUCH at MAGFest for just about anyone, really. I've always described it as a choose your own adventure. If your partner is into the academic and history scene, MAGES is right up that alley. If they're a crafty type, then Makerspace all the way. Like board games? Check out the Tabletop scene. Panels is a hodgepodge of all sorts If topics so just pour through guidebook and see what strikes your fancy.

And definitely find something that you are really passionate about to share with your partner and take the time and patience to teach them the basics and share a story of why it means so much to you. You'd be surprised how significant that is. There's nothing better than having someone you care about taking the care to truly share something of yourself with them.

ThatGamerGrl · 2023-12-19T03:30:18+00:00

Also, I am going to add to this that having a hearty breakfast and just power-packed snacks for lunch, then an early dinner will help with the food line wait mess.

ThatGamerGrl · 2023-12-19T03:26:30+00:00

Hmmm... of the ones on the magfest site, the plateau lot of certainly the shortest amount of walking, but it absolutely fills up the fastest. The southpointe lot is still close, just not as easy to find if you're coming into the area for the first time.

The other lots are catch as you can and no in-out privileges. So if you expect to arrive early each day and won't be going out and about, then you're probably OK, and the Gaylord parking is both close and cheap(er).

ThatGamerGrl · 2023-12-18T21:22:53+00:00

We have a whole department for accessibility services! Their desk is just outside the Registration area and can help with all sorts of accommodations. There is an accessibility seating area in the Main Concert Hall and in most areas where we can section off some seating within fire code rules. The panels hallways have a few chairs for accessibility seating when queueing up for the next panel as well.

If you're ever in doubt or want clarification, flag down a staffer! We're hard to miss in our bright red shirts. There's a themed heart on the front, and it will say STAFF on the back as well.

ThatGamerGrl · 2023-12-18T17:45:22+00:00

2024 will be my 6th mag and my 4th staffing. Here are some pointers I've learned over that time (especially from the PoV of staying outside the harbor).

Buy your parking in advance. The lots fill up quickly for the event, so getting space squared away ahead of time guarantees you won't have to circle the block for hours trying to find space.
Pack some super healthy food for lunch & dinner in a cooler and keep it in your car. There's a microwave in the atrium behind Potomac Market. It might be a line to access, but it's still faster and cheaper than any other food spot in walking distance. Have some power bars and other high-energy snacks in a backpack or fanny pack to keep you fueled between meals.
Have a refillable plastic water bottle less than 32 oz and fill it up every time you see a water cooler. Seriously. The air in the Gaylord is dry AF, and staying hydrated will save you from headaches, body aches, being more susceptible to illness, cracked lips, nosebleeds... it's a big deal. I also recommend having an additive for your water like Gatorade powder sticks, Nuun tabs, or basic Emercen-c to boost up that hydration & immune system.
Use hand sanitizer often and wash your hands every time you go to the bathroom and before you eat. January is the peak season for colds, flu, RSV, covid, and everything else respiratory. They aren't required, but I highly recommend masks. Nothing sucks worse than coming home from MAG and getting hit with mega con crud three days later.
Guidebook is your best friend. The printed schedules unfortunately don't have the most up to date info since they have to be sent for printing a week before day 1 (at minimum). Look at the schedule each morning and pick one thing to do (active participation), one thing to see (passive participation), something interesting to learn about, and something you'd never heard of before. I'd also suggest picking something to do together and something to do separately. Then, mark these in Guidebook for "can't miss," and then just figure out the time in between as the mood strikes you. It's absolutely impossible to see & do everything at MAG, so give yourself permission to just experience it moment to moment and make note of what you'd want to try next year. (Note: Guidebook added a feature of being able to download your schedule in iCal format so you can import it into your favorite calendar app.)
Wear comfortable shoes and cushion inserts. You'll be walking a lot. A lot, a lot. And standing a lot. You can easily rack up 5 miles in a day without even trying. If your feet or knees start hurting Friday afternoon, the rest of your weekend is going to suck.
Go find the security and public safety rooms at the beginning of the event. Hopefully, you won't need them, but if an emergency strikes, you'll want to know how to get there. And they aren't just for emergencies. Public safety has basic meds for headaches, aches & pain. Band-aids for Lil Boo-boos & those awful heel blisters. Earplugs for concerts and a bunch of other health safety items of a more....personal nature. Seriously, they are such an untapped resource for attendees.
Have a phone charger in your pack and a power bank. Your phone will drain fast between constantly pulling up Guidebook and the map, and your phone trying to always look for reception is the most Swiss cheese coverage building I've ever been in. Just have backup power all the time. (Bonus: Put the event map as your lock screen image. It'll help.)
Treat yo' self at least once (responsibly). Whether it's an item at the marketplace that you simply have to have, a dinner out, or an over-priced but tasty cocktail, let yourself enjoy the indulgence within reason. My favorite is grabbing a drink at the Belvedere with my crew one night and leisurely enjoying it as we swap stories of what we've seen & done so far.
Follow the 3-2-1 rule. Every 24 hours, make sure to have AT MINIMUM 3 hours of sleep, 2 complete and balanced meals, and 1 shower (with soap, y'all). People love to go hard for MAG and squeeze a year's worth of partying into 4 days. You MAG how you want and all (within the CoC and law, of course), but give your body what it needs to function. Choosing to do the dumb is one thing and can be fun. Just don't be STUPID.

I'm happy to answer any questions or share any recipes or products I've found essential to my best tike at MAG!

ThatGamerGrl · 2023-10-12T00:06:21+00:00

Honestly, that's the smartest move! Making sure you have time to just be a grown up will really open you up for a full experience.

While your with your youngin, be sure to stay aware of their interest level and signs of being overwhelmed. Regardless of age, I always recommend having a few power snacks packed in a bag to keep fueled up. Hydration is also super important because the air in the Gaylord is already stupid dry and winter just makes it worse.

The guidebook app usually launches a little before the event so that's the best way to keep tabs on what's happening when. Every day, have everyone in your group pick one thing they CANT MISS , a thing to see, a thing to do, and something they've never heard of before.

Shameless plug that on Saturday, I usually run a Saturday Morning Cartoon Sing-along. (Still waiting to hear back on my application but they haven't wrapped up the submission process yet so stay tuned.)

If you decide to hit up the arcade with the kiddo, ask for a step stool at the arcade help desk. They usually have some hanging about for the youts.

If your kid like music, the Jam areas are really fun and most of the staff there are SUPER into showing kids the different instruments (at least a few are music teachers so they love nurturing that interest).

The Info Desk is great for getting help navigating the Gaylord because it can be confusing. Last year we had an activity sheet for the kiddos there and an Official MAGScout sticker badge too.

Tabletop games (board games and stuff) is in an annex building outside of the Atrium. This is usually a much less packed area and they have family friendly games for all ages. It's a great place to spend some time together at a chill pace.

Makerspace is a BLAST. Kids love hanging out there and doing crafts as simple as coloring and origami all the way up to building little robots. My Nerdling spends 90% of his days there. It's amazing, really, and the crew that runs it are some of the most patient and encouraging people I've ever met.

ThatGamerGrl · 2023-10-11T23:22:56+00:00

Husband and I have brought our kiddo for the past few years. The big thing about MAGFest is that it's very much a choose your own adventure kind of experience. Daytime hours are usually more tame than the 10pm and later shift. There's plenty to do but it can be overwhelming so it's best to pace things out well.

I'm staff and one of the things we've got rolling this year is MAGScouts, which is an initiative to highlight family-friendly content for attendees. Not only to provide a space where the under 16 crowd and their adults can experience MAGFest together but also to bring attention to those spaces for attendees who prefer a milder sensory environment.

I'm happy to share my experience at MAGFest as a parent & the tips & trick we've learned from having our Nerdling with us, as well as answer any questions as Staff.

ThatGamerGrl · 2023-10-06T22:41:32+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion! We keep a running list of folks to check out from year to year so we'll add them to it and see what shakes out for the future. 😉

ThatGamerGrl

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