After 8 years of solo development in Unity (C#), I finally brought my 2.5D Farm Sim RPG Cornucopia to life at PAX EAST 2025.
Humbling. Exhausting. Raw.
And one of the most rewarding moments I’ve ever had as a solo developer.
I learned a lot. Made mistakes. Here’s what worked, what flopped, and what I’d do differently—especially if you’re ever planning your own gaming expo booth.
This game has been my baby. I designed and coded almost everything myself, and project-managed a rotating team of part-time artists and musicians from around the world — all funded slowly, out of pocket, one piece at a time.
This was my second PAX event. I showed at PAX West 2024 (~Sept 1st), which gave me a big head start. Still—nothing ever goes perfectly. So here’s everything I learned, and everything I wish someone had told me:
🔌 Setup & Tech
Friction kills booths.
I used save files that dropped players straight into the action: pets following them, crops growing, tools ready to go. No menus. No tutorials. No cutscenes. Just sit down and play.
The difference? Night and day.
(That said, 5–10-year-olds still managed to save over them constantly. 😂)
Steam Decks = attention.
I had two laptops and two Steam Decks running different scenes. Some people came over just to try it on Deck. Others preferred the larger laptop screens for easier group viewing. Both were valuable.
Make your play area obvious.
At first, I had a giant standee blocking the play zone. Big mistake. I moved it behind the booth and angled the laptops and Decks for visibility. Huge improvement in foot traffic.
Make screens visible to onlookers.
People watching someone else play get intrigued. For next time: I’ll raise screens to head height or higher. Especially if you’re doing minigame competitions—TV up high is a must.
Next time: “Available Now on Steam” must be impossible to miss.
Many people didn’t realize Cornucopia was already released. Even with signage. I’ll go bigger and bolder next time.
Looped trailer = passive pull.
I ran a short gameplay trailer on a 65” TV using VLC on a MacBook Air. People stopped. Watched. Then sat down.
OST playback helped.
I ran the soundtrack through a Bluetooth speaker starting Day 2. Gave the booth life and identity—but only worked reliably after I started charging it overnight. Plugging it in during the day wasn’t enough.
Lighting matters.
Bring overhead clamp lights for your banner. Some booths looked like caves—it killed their vibe.
Backups. Always.
Bring extras of everything: surge protectors, HDMI, USB-C, chargers, duct tape, Velcro ties, adapters. Forget something like a DisplayPort cable and you’re scrambling with no parking.
Plan for blocking from certain angles.
Lesson: Think in 360° visibility. Add side-facing signage next time.
Observe. [Important]
Watching players was pure gold. I saw what excited, confused or made them laugh or walk-away. I even caught a major controller bug with the tools—something I'd never have found without real-time observation, and will be fixing immediately.
Pens & checklists = survival.
Your brain will be fried. Write down what needs fixing, who to contact, and tomorrow’s prep list. Don’t rely on memory.
Hydration & food.
Bring bottled water (ideally Reverse Osmosis) and protein-rich snacks. Next time we’ll prep meals in advance—Costco packs + disposable containers to save money and time.
Arrive early. Seriously.
Friday traffic was brutal. Early arrival saved my setup window.
You will be on your feet 9+ hours.
Wear comfortable shoes. Look presentable. Sleep well. By Day 3, my feet were dead—but it was worth it.
Best bathroom time?
15–20 minutes before doors open. No lines. You’re welcome.
👥 Booth Presence & People
I avoided pitching. And focused on being present.
I didn’t “sell.” I didn’t chase. I tried to stand calmly, make eye contact, and helped only when it felt right. When people came over, I asked about them—what games they love, where they’re from. That part was magic. Talking to people was the best part of the entire expo for me!
Ask more than you explain.
– “Are you from around Boston?”
– “What are your favorite games of all time?”
I didn't have any canned lines, I was trying to be natural. Real questions created real connections, it was not just about the game but about connecting with people.
🎥 Streamers, Interviews, and DMs
I handed out a few Steam keys and did three spontaneous interviews when asked on the spot over the four days. I was a little nervous before one of them, but I went for it anyway—and it turned out to be a fun experience.
It was also really cool meeting cozy game streamers like Payton (Payton’s Corner) and Min (Min’s Meadow), both of whom had played Cornucopia before. One particular clip of Min playing the game over a year ago still cracks us up—so meeting her in person was funny to me:
👉 Funny Clip of Min and Charlotte
They also gave a panel talk on cozy games at the event (which I sadly missed!). Meeting streamers—especially ones who already knew the game—was super fun. Several of them even shared their favorite moments, like being stalked by Naomi in-game, which led to some great laughs.
I regret I didn't take photos with some streamers who stopped by!
Next time: I’ll come prepared with a stack of Steam keys for streamers and fellow devs.
And if I promise someone a key, I’ll write it down and follow through.
Integrity is non-negotiable.
🪪 Bring Two Types of Business Cards
– Game card: Steam logo, big QR code, “Available Now” messaging
– Personal card: name, email, role (optional phone number)
🗣 People Will Compare Your Game
I heard everything from:
– “It’s Stardew but in 3D”
– “Basically just Stardew but in 2.5D?”
– “3D Stardew!”
– “Stardew Valley 2? I wonder if it's by the same developer.”
– “OH! It's like Harvest Moon - so cute!”
– “Harvest Moon with Octopath graphics”
– “Paper Mario meets Harvest Moon”
– “Minecraft!”
– “Farmville” (lol)
I tried to just listen and learn.
Next time: I’ll try to make a banner listing what makes Cornucopia unique—and personal notes for myself. I literally forgot most of the mechanics I programmed (for example, the card system, auction house, in depth soil mechanics, etc).
🤝 Some People Just Love Meeting Dev
More than a few people said meeting the creator was meaningful.
You don’t have to be charismatic—just be real and genuinely interested in them. And I was genuinely interested in the people I met. That was enough.
When someone enjoys your game and meets you, that moment matters.
💬 Positive Feedback Changed Everything
The reception was overwhelmingly positive.
At first, I felt like an imposter.
By Day 4? I left buzzing with excitement and confidence.
🎮 Let People Stay
Some played 30 minutes to an hour.
Some kids came back multiple times.
If they’re into it, let them stay.
🎁 Giving Stuff Away Is Fun
I gave out free temporary tattoos (and ran out).
People loved it. It sparked conversation and added energy to the booth.
Note: PAX doesn’t allow stickers.
📇 Bring Enough Cards
Both personal and game-specific. Clear QR codes. Steam logos.
I ran out and had to print more overnight at Staples. It worked—but not ideal.
🎤 Community & Connection
Talk to other devs. It’s therapy.
I had amazing conversations with fellow exhibitors and game devs. We shared advice, marketing tips, and raw life wisdom. These moments were just as valuable as anything else.
When you’re deep in conversation, ask and listen.
Attendees, streamers, booth neighbors. Ask about their games. Where they’re from. What they do. You’ll walk away wiser.
🛡 PAX Enforcers Deserve Love
Special shoutout to our PAX Enforcer Christopher—a genuinely awesome guy who helped us out and made the experience better.
I hope we get him again at PAX West.
💡 Final Thoughts
PAX EAST 2025 WAS AMAZING!
Exhausting. Rewarding. Grounding. Ultra inspiring.
It reminded me that every player is a real person—not just a download stat or analytics number.
And that hit me deep.
Thank you to everyone who came by the booth.
Meeting you all was the highlight.
It’s been years since I’ve felt this excited about Cornucopia.
Were you at PAX? Or just curious about the game? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear from you.
With Lots of Love,
David ❤️🌼
🌽 Try Cornucopia on Steam
Thanks for stopping by the booth — or just reading this.
If you enjoy cozy farming games with animals, magic, and pixel charm, Cornucopia might be for you.
👉 Play on Steam
💬 Join the Discord
Truly grateful for all the support. The journey’s just beginning.
💬 Enjoying Cornucopia?
Leave or update your Steam review — it helps more than you know!
