When Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik of webcomic Penny Arcade hosted the first Penny Arcade Expo, or PAX, in Seattle in August 2004, they couldn't know that the 3,300 attendees was just a taste of things to come. But PAX has grown consistently in the nearly a decade since, and this celebration of gaming and gamers — be they video, computer, card, board, or role-playing — is now held every spring in Boston and fall in Seattle, attracting up to 70,000 fans from around the world.
The third annual PAX East was held in Boston over the weekend of April 6. Kicking off with a keynote speech by Prince of Persia creator Jordan Mechner, the show offered an extensive expo hall in which publishers showed off their upcoming hits for 2012; dozens of panels, speeches, and workshops for gamers interested in learning more about the industry; competitions and tournaments; a bean bag-filled handheld gaming lounge; arcades of both coin-ops and Kickstarter-funded indie games; and more.
For highlights from the show, check out the below image galleries of PAX East 2012.
PAX East 2012
Gamers queue to enter the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The first PAX East was held at the Hynes Convention Center, which proved far too small for so popular an event.
Gamers queue to enter the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The first PAX East was held at the Hynes Convention Center, which proved far too small for so popular an event.
A Katamari Damacy ball, sold to me by the cookie brigade to benefit Child's Play.
A Katamari Damacy ball, sold to me by the cookie brigade to benefit Child's Play.
Wayne with a 5.25" floppy of Karateka for Jordan Mechner to sign.
Wayne with a 5.25" floppy of Karateka for Jordan Mechner to sign.
Jordan Mechner, creator of Prince of Persia, was the PAX East 2012 keynote speaker. His next project will be a reimagining of his first published software title, the Apple II game Karateka, featured on this shirt.
Jordan Mechner, creator of Prince of Persia, was the PAX East 2012 keynote speaker. His next project will be a reimagining of his first published software title, the Apple II game Karateka, featured on this shirt.
Jordan Mechner, creator of Prince of Persia, gave the PAX East 2012 keynote speech.
Jordan Mechner, creator of Prince of Persia, gave the PAX East 2012 keynote speech.
Fans excitedly greet a panel of speakers from Rooster Teeth, the animation house and comedy troupe responsible for the machinima series Red vs. Blue, which debuts its tenth season this spring.
Fans excitedly greet a panel of speakers from Rooster Teeth, the animation house and comedy troupe responsible for the machinima series Red vs. Blue, which debuts its tenth season this spring.
The tabletop gaming area was often the last place to find gamers at the end of each day of PAX, with games often being played until 2 AM.
The tabletop gaming area was often the last place to find gamers at the end of each day of PAX, with games often being played until 2 AM.
Bean bags littered the handheld lounge, inviting gamers to relax among friends.
Bean bags littered the handheld lounge, inviting gamers to relax among friends.
In the retro console room, gamers can check out cartridges, floppy disks, and CDs for their favorite classic gaming systems. Here, an attendee plays one of the many Mega Man games Capcom released for the 8-bit Nintendo.
In the retro console room, gamers can check out cartridges, floppy disks, and CDs for their favorite classic gaming systems. Here, an attendee plays one of the many Mega Man games Capcom released for the 8-bit Nintendo.
The American Classic Arcade Museum of Funspot in Laconia, New Hampshire, hauled a sampling of their extensive classic coin-op collection, all set to free play, to PAX East.
The American Classic Arcade Museum of Funspot in Laconia, New Hampshire, hauled a sampling of their extensive classic coin-op collection, all set to free play, to PAX East.
PAX attendees find themselves transported back to the 1980s with games like Life Force, Gyruss, and Crystal Castles, while Journey plays in the background.
PAX attendees find themselves transported back to the 1980s with games like Life Force, Gyruss, and Crystal Castles, while Journey plays in the background.
A few years ago, Zeboyd Games was an indie developer publishing choose-your-own-adventure text games for the Xbox 360. Now they're a renowned publisher of retro RPGs like Cthulhu Saves the World, which earned them the contract to develop Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode 3. Here, founder Robert Boyd addresses a fan's question about how he made the transition from English teacher to self-taught programmer.
A few years ago, Zeboyd Games was an indie developer publishing choose-your-own-adventure text games for the Xbox 360. Now they're a renowned publisher of retro RPGs like Cthulhu Saves the World, which earned them the contract to develop Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode 3. Here, founder Robert Boyd addresses a fan's question about how he made the transition from English teacher to self-taught programmer.
I'd known Rob for 15 years, but this was the first time we'd met in person!
I'd known Rob for 15 years, but this was the first time we'd met in person!
A PAX-tagged Chrysler greets attendees outside the convention center. Several more cars were inside but without sporting the PAX brand, much to Penny Arcade marketing president of operations Robert Khoo's frustration.
A PAX-tagged Chrysler greets attendees outside the convention center. Several more cars were inside but without sporting the PAX brand, much to Penny Arcade marketing president of operations Robert Khoo's frustration.
Boston's groundskeepers have a lively sense of humor.
Boston's groundskeepers have a lively sense of humor.
It was a morning ritual to start our day with breakfast at Flour, one of Boston's best-kept secrets.
It was a morning ritual to start our day with breakfast at Flour, one of Boston's best-kept secrets.
The Wizards of the Coast booth emphasized several upcoming products that focus on dark elves, or drows.
The Wizards of the Coast booth emphasized several upcoming products that focus on dark elves, or drows.
Wizards of the Coast was on the show floor, touting many Dungeons & Dragons products that feature the dark elves known as the drow. Here, the spider goddess Lolth intimidates two PAX attendees.
Wizards of the Coast was on the show floor, touting many Dungeons & Dragons products that feature the dark elves known as the drow. Here, the spider goddess Lolth intimidates two PAX attendees.
The Wizards of the Coast booth sported a statue of Drizzt Do'Urden and his panther Guenhwyvar, stars of several Forgotten Realms novels. The characters' creator and game development house 38 Studios' co-founder R. A. Salvatore was on-hand to promote the game Kingdoms of Amalur.
The Wizards of the Coast booth sported a statue of Drizzt Do'Urden and his panther Guenhwyvar, stars of several Forgotten Realms novels. The characters' creator and game development house 38 Studios' co-founder R. A. Salvatore was on-hand to promote the game Kingdoms of Amalur.
At the Capcom booth, gamers try the third-person shooter Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, released just two weeks earlier for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and May 18 for Windows.
At the Capcom booth, gamers try the third-person shooter Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, released just two weeks earlier for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and May 18 for Windows.
The line wrapped around the Gearbox Software booth many times for a chance to see Borderlands 2, the first-person shooter being released this September.
The line wrapped around the Gearbox Software booth many times for a chance to see Borderlands 2, the first-person shooter being released this September.
I think a utilikilt is part of the Enforcers' mandatory uniform.
I think a utilikilt is part of the Enforcers' mandatory uniform.
Square's booth gave gamers a chance to play Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, a music rhythm game based on the popular role-playing game series. It releases for the Nintendo DS on July 3, 2012.
Square's booth gave gamers a chance to play Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, a music rhythm game based on the popular role-playing game series. It releases for the Nintendo DS on July 3, 2012.
Gamers who visited Ubisoft's booth were invited to get a free mohawk haircut or tattoo in the style of the character Vaas from Far Cry 3, releasing this September. Those who volunteered got a free Far Cry 3 tank top.
Gamers who visited Ubisoft's booth were invited to get a free mohawk haircut or tattoo in the style of the character Vaas from Far Cry 3, releasing this September. Those who volunteered got a free Far Cry 3 tank top.
The Gunstringer is a Kinect-enabled game for the Xbox 360 from Twisted Pixel Games, the company that developed 'Splosion Man and Comic Jumper. Players move their hands to control the strings of a puppet in a western-themed shooter.
The Gunstringer is a Kinect-enabled game for the Xbox 360 from Twisted Pixel Games, the company that developed 'Splosion Man and Comic Jumper. Players move their hands to control the strings of a puppet in a western-themed shooter.
This mysterious hand popped out from behind a black curtain to offer freebies to passersby.
This mysterious hand popped out from behind a black curtain to offer freebies to passersby.
Used games were for sale aplenty. See any rarities? How about the one that prompted Congressional hearings?
Used games were for sale aplenty. See any rarities? How about the one that prompted Congressional hearings?
Not all PAX games are electronic. An extensive tabletop gaming hall offered spaces and games for players interested in classic entertainment. Here, an attendee moves the thief pawn in a game of Settlers of Catan.
Not all PAX games are electronic. An extensive tabletop gaming hall offered spaces and games for players interested in classic entertainment. Here, an attendee moves the thief pawn in a game of Settlers of Catan.
PAX-goers could check out new and familiar games for free from the PAX game library. This group has decided to try their hand at Fallen Lands.
PAX-goers could check out new and familiar games for free from the PAX game library. This group has decided to try their hand at Fallen Lands.
I bumped into an old college buddy on the game room floor.
I bumped into an old college buddy on the game room floor.
Seen throughout PAX were Kickstarter-funded widget that turns regular playing cards into Tinkertoy-like building blocks. Skallops were so popular that the booth sold out of their entire inventory.
Seen throughout PAX were Kickstarter-funded widget that turns regular playing cards into Tinkertoy-like building blocks. Skallops were so popular that the booth sold out of their entire inventory.
An extensive LAN was established for PC gamers wanting to play freestyle or in tournaments.
An extensive LAN was established for PC gamers wanting to play freestyle or in tournaments.
In the style of Antiques Roadshow, gamers could bring their rare items to PAX to be evaluated. Seen here is a rare prototype of Earthbound Zero for the NES, which was translated from the Famicom game Mother but never released by Nintendo of America.
In the style of Antiques Roadshow, gamers could bring their rare items to PAX to be evaluated. Seen here is a rare prototype of Earthbound Zero for the NES, which was translated from the Famicom game Mother but never released by Nintendo of America.
A gamer brought his tabletop Popeye arcade machine to be evaluated at PAX. Since it included the battery cover but had some scratches from normal use, it was priced at roughly $100.
A gamer brought his tabletop Popeye arcade machine to be evaluated at PAX. Since it included the battery cover but had some scratches from normal use, it was priced at roughly $100.
The bigger publishers like Sega and Wizards of the Coast occupied elaborate booths, while the smaller indie developers had small tables along the hall's perimeter.
The bigger publishers like Sega and Wizards of the Coast occupied elaborate booths, while the smaller indie developers had small tables along the hall's perimeter.
The expo hall was so popular, an entire "queue hall" was dedicated to lining up to get in. Once there, attendees could get their hands on games from their favorite publishers and developers, win free swag, and marvel at being in the company of so many fellow gamers.
The expo hall was so popular, an entire "queue hall" was dedicated to lining up to get in. Once there, attendees could get their hands on games from their favorite publishers and developers, win free swag, and marvel at being in the company of so many fellow gamers.
The Kickstarter Arcade was a room dedicated to indie games that had received crowdfunding through Kickstarter. One such game was Organ Trail, which moves the classic Apple II edutainment title into a zombie-infested post-apocalyptic setting. The developers found PAX a much more successful experience than they expected, selling many preorders for their game.
The Kickstarter Arcade was a room dedicated to indie games that had received crowdfunding through Kickstarter. One such game was Organ Trail, which moves the classic Apple II edutainment title into a zombie-infested post-apocalyptic setting. The developers found PAX a much more successful experience than they expected, selling many preorders for their game.
The Kickstarter Arcade was a room dedicated to indie games that had received crowdfunding through Kickstarter. One such game was Organ Trail, which moves the classic Apple II edutainment title into a zombie-infested post-apocalyptic setting. The developers found PAX a much more successful experience than they expected, selling many preorders for their game.
The Kickstarter Arcade was a room dedicated to indie games that had received crowdfunding through Kickstarter. One such game was Organ Trail, which moves the classic Apple II edutainment title into a zombie-infested post-apocalyptic setting. The developers found PAX a much more successful experience than they expected, selling many preorders for their game.
The saucy Kathleen DeVere of LoadingReadyRun (LRR).
The saucy Kathleen DeVere of LoadingReadyRun (LRR).
Jerry Holkins (right), co-founder of Penny Arcade, Child's Play, and PAX!
Jerry Holkins (right), co-founder of Penny Arcade, Child's Play, and PAX!
Preparing for the final round of the Omegathon.
Preparing for the final round of the Omegathon.
Margaret Weis, author of many Dragonlance novels, most of which I've not read. Photo by Kurt Eng.
Margaret Weis, author of many Dragonlance novels, most of which I've not read. Photo by Kurt Eng.
Making appearances at PAX East 2012 were Robert Boyd of Zeboyd Games (Breath of Death VII, Cthulhu Saves the World, Penny Arcade: On The Rainslick Precipice of Darkness), Margaret Weis (Dragonlance), Kathleen DeVere (LoadingReadyRun, Desert Bus for Hope), coin-ops from the American Classic Arcade Museum at Funspot, Lolth the Spider Queen of Wizards of the Coast's Dungeons & Dragons setting of the Forgotten Realms, Gearbox Software's Borderlands 2, Square's Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, and more. Cosplayers included Sheik, Pyramid Head, Solid Snake, Master Chief, Chrono, and a Shy Guy.
