PAX 2008

Just got back from Seattle yesterday. Went over there for a friends wedding, to get my Smart car serviced, and to check out the Penny Arcade Expo.
PAX is now the largest gaming convention in North America. In 2007, there were 37,000 attendees and this year the Washington State Convention center in downtown Seattle felt very crowded. I understand they added at least 20% more space over last year and doubled the Exhibition hall space.
This was my first year and I had multiple things going on with the Smart car to take care of, the wedding to go to (and a last minute present to pick up) so I didn't get to spend the time to experience the full craziness of 40,000+ gaming nerds hanging out and doing weird nerd things.
The exhibition hall was what was coolest with literally 100's of gaming vendors showing off brand new or unreleased games and handing out tons of SWAG. I didn't have lots of time to make the SWAG rounds or play a lot of games. I saw Warhammer Online and it looks interesting, but I wasn't uber-impressed. Lich King looks like more of the same from Blizzard(i.e very good, but nothing earth shattering), but I'll probably buy it anyway. I didn't see any D3 stuff. I'm guessing they're saving the good stuff for their own show in October.
I tried to go by the Valve and Ubisoft booths, hoping to see some Animation folk at Valve and maybe Prince of Persia at Ubisoft, but Valve only had Left 4 Dead (and a huge line!) and ubisoft had some weird Wii game with crazy rabbits....seemed like more of a kids game.
I never did see the G4 crew, though I heard that Adam was there. I did see Wil Wheaton, not that it's anything to write home about :) Lots of people with interesting costumes and crowds everywhere. I don't do crowds all that well, but mostly it just tires me out.
I managed to pick up a t-shirt and a limited edition PAX 2008 razer mouse which is a really nice mouse.
Hopefully I can talk a bunch of folks into going as a group next year.
Now back to your regularly scheduled madness :)

--mb