Penny Arcade Expo aka PAX

Geeking out is the way to go and PAX is the place! PAX is a welcoming environment that celebrates play, intellect, and geek culture. I’ve gone to PAX for years (even when it was out in Bellevue) plus I always attend Mike and Jerry’s charity fundraiser for Child’s Play at the holidays. What I like best? The PAX founders rarely dress up past jeans and tee shirts, that they teach gamers to play nice with others, and that they truly appreciate the fanboys and fangirls around them. PAX is a legend, the convention that grew out of gamers true love for their playtime and for their adoring audience.
The huge Expo hall is filled with gaming consoles, displays, and swag. (This year they had a Tru Blood station in addition to normal gaming freebies.) It’s a good place to learn about the newest games, like awesome Bioshock 2, through videos and through playing. Its also a good place to take novice gamers so they can get a feel for the energy of PAX and the draw of games… just make sure not to overwhelm them, only an hour or two before the eyes glaze over.
PAX has several areas set up for free gaming, from board games to card games to video games. These are best late night, when people are amped off the geek love and competitive nature of the place. I tend to camp out in front of some of the less popular stations. But it’s a trip to be a spectator for Rock Band and other group games. Guys playing guitar behind their backs, new vocalists jumping in to harmonize, lots of interactive energy.
And, of course, they have panels. Most popular seem to be the podcast shows, which often broadcast straight from the convention center and usually incorporate lots of audience participation. But it runs the gamut, from women in gaming to career development to state of the industry talks.
The best parts of the weekend, in my opinion, are the peoplewatching. From witnessing the puppy love of dozens of awkward, geeky teens as they share Nintendo DS games to watching the crowds wait in line for Omegathons, its an accepting environment that has lots of different types. Whats more, it’s a very communicative place. People strike up conversations in line and are very polite.
Second best? Omegathon tournaments. There are several rounds of game play throughout the weekend that match randomly selected competitors for rounds of games throughout the weekend. Connect 5, Boom Blox, Halo, Rock Band… the games vary widely, which can make the playing field about randomness and luck. The weekend ends with one last competition between the two finalists. And the energy is massive. Being in the audience for the Halo battle royale at PAX 2008 was insane. Like teenage girls to Miley Cyrus, the energy was pumping and the screams peeled the paint off the walls. This year’s arcade game was less hysterical but no less kinetic.
In terms of food, convention center has delicious crepes and a Taco del Mar, which easily beat out the poor-​quality pizza and long Subway lines. Short walk to Bambuza for asian fare or Pacific Place food court for many other options. Pike Place is nearby but some seem to think its too far for walking. Cheesecake factory and Daily Grill always have super-​long lines. You could just call in take-​out from them and pick it up to eat back at the center.
Get your tickets early. Wear comfy shoes. Have fun.

PAX is a three-​day (for now) game festival for gamers. It covers tabletop, videogame, and PC games. There are tournaments, concerts, panels, exhibitor’s hall (where you can try out new games, often before they are released). Additionally there is lots of swag (free stuff).
If you are a gamer or even a generalist geek PAX is a top notch convention. Frequent guests include: Will Wheton, McFrontalot, and of course the makers of the webcomic Penny Arcade (
): Jerry «Tycho“Holkins and Mike «Gabe» Krahulik.
Having just completed my first PAX as an Enforcer (volunteer) I can tell you it is an excellent convention. I enjoyed this one more than Emerald City Comic Con and Sakura Con, even though I am not that big of a gamer.
If it is your first time attending be sure to get enough sleep, bathe and eat regularly, and consider taking multivitamins. There is a illness known as «the POX» which often hits people after this convention and recently there was an outbreak of swine flu… but that is to be expected when 70K geeks hang out in one place.
Even sitting here, possibly with swine flu, I am giving 5 stars to PAX… well worth the yucks.