Penny Arcade Expo 2009
This past weekend, I had a chance to attend the 2009 Penny Arcade Expo (aka PAX) in Seattle, Washington. I’ve always wanted to attend but it’s usually been on the same weekend as my anniversary so it just didn’t work out before now. PAX is pretty much SXSW for the videogame set….including conference sessions, a massive tradeshow floor and tons of nerds.
The exhibit halls were filled with computers and videogame consoles showing the latest games – many not yet available. People would line up for HOURS in order to get a few minutes playing a new game before the rest of the world gets to. Nearly every booth also had some kind of game themed swag they were giving away. I think I was handed seven different free t-shirts in the span of about 20 minutes.
The exhibit halls were massive…so many games to see and try….not to mention the overstimulation of so many booths and displays…including a new take on the mechanical bull ride complete with fog machine:
It was a lot of fun…next year I hope to go again…although will definitely have to make better arrangements that don’t involve leaving home way too early to get down to Seattle first thing in the morning.
You can view my full set of photos from PAX09 on Flickr.
So did you play Wow Cataclysm? You can use flying mounts in the old kingdom!! The worgen/goblin addition is cool too
I didn’t play Cataclysm…it’s wasn’t fully playable, just the starting areas for the worgen/goblins so no flying mounts or anything…those that were playing seemed to be MUCH better than me…didn’t want to have a hundred people watching me run around with a level 6 ;)
Cool – looks like a lot of fun. So close, a pack of us Canucks should make plans to go next time.
There was a small pack of Canucks that did ;) We just had logistical issues meeting up until the last minute thanks to sketchy wifi and expensive SMS/data.
You went to PAX? I’m so jealous. :( You get swine’d while you were there?
Yup, the swine flu came free with all swag bags at the door. Kimli & I both got it. :(