I’ve been to the '05 expo, and this year’s. I was wondering if anyone else here has gone, or plans to in the future? I have to fly all the way from Philly to Seattle, so I don’t think it’s going to be a yearly thing for me.
For those who aren’t in the know, PAX is a yearly convention (held in late August) put on by the creators of Penny Arcade, the most successfull web comic, which primarily comments on events in the gaming industry and player community. The cleverly written editorials by Jerry Holkins that accompany each strip are as integral to the success of the site as their excellent strips. PAX was started to be the ultimate convention for gamers. Frustrated by (the former) E3’s blitz of superficial marketing, and the lack of any big con for the general public, they decided to hold their own, and living in the Seattle area, they were able to get a lot of big-name guests for panels and the exhibitor hall.
In their own words, the con’s pretty much become it’s own beast now, much to their delight. The first year had about 3,000 guests, the second 7,000, the third over 10,000, and this year they had something in the vicinity of 30,000 people!* This year was also the first year in the excellent Seattle Convention Center, whereas the previous 3 where crowded into the Meydenbauer Center out in Bellevue. What’s really impressive about the whole thing is how everyone gets along. There’s no fighting (except a fight between two trained kendo practitioners using those pricey toy Light Sabers you can buy from the Sharper Image during a break in one of the concerts!), no drunks making a scene, etc. While the convention center did have some staff overseeing the admissions, the bulk of the work is done by an all-volunteer staff of “enforcers” who’s only compensation are unique black versions of the yearly con T-Shirt with the title on the back, some tchochkes, and a wrap-party with the PA staff after the last day.
My favorite parts? The panels with Mike and Jerry (Gabe and Tycho), & the last two Omegathon rounds (“public performance” and “secret round”). @ '05 the Game Ideas panel was awesome. @ '07 the Assassin’s Creed sneak preview was really cool, and of course Wil Wheaton’s keynote was incredible.
Disappointments? The concerts, I hate to say; I love many of the acts they get, but the acoustics in the show rooms are terrible, so performers who’s songs are bass heavy (Minibosses, MC Frontalot, etc) are completely drowned out in a wall of low-pitch echoing noise. This is really frustrating for me because Frontalot and the Minibosses in particular are both really good live shows, and they’re working their asses off on-stage. John Coulton this year was fantastic, but his singing and acoustic guitar don’t suffer the sound-problems the other acts do. Ditto for the woman who played pieces from various Final Fantasy games on piano at '05.
So, any other posters who’ve gone? What are your thoughts?
*these numbers are rough approximations from the top of my head. If a fellow PA fan wants to correct them, feel free.
