Category Archives: PAX 2008

Before yesterday’s announcement of the new E3, many considered Penny Arcade Expo to be “the new E3.” So, now that the industry’s best-known conference has popped a few pills and stormed out of the ICU, is PAX feeling the heat? Nope. Not even a bit.

“I … can’t imagine it stealing any of our thunder,” Penny Arcade co-creator Mike “Gabe” Krahulik told Edge. “We have a ridiculous amount of thunder and honestly if they were to steal some of it we probably wouldn’t even notice.

“I don’t see it having any effect on PAX, no. E3 has always been and looks like it will continue to be about the industry. PAX is about the community around games as much as it’s about the games themselves.”

However, competition or not, Krahulik offered a few fighting words for the E3 and the ESA.

“I assume what they want is publicity for their games and a chance to get the word out about what they’re working on. I just think they’re coming at it from the wrong angle.”

Power to the people. Click through the link for the full interview.

By Nathan Grayson

Speaking at PAX, inFAMOUS producer Brian Fleming’s adding a fair bit of detail to inFAMOUS’s setting, including the fact the protagonist, Cole, will have side-kicks in the game.

The third-person action adventure sees Cole take on electricity-related super-powers, which are stocked up by sucking powers from the city’s general supply.

There’s more in the there as well about friendly NPCs, villains and so on. Watch the video after the link.

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According to this BigDownload story, 58,500 people attended this year’s PAX, trouncing last year’s record of 37,000 attendees.

More people means more problems, obviously. Like over-crowding.

“Regarding the overcrowding, it was definitely a symptom of the popularity of the show, but not one that can’t be overcome,” said Penny Arcade biz guy Robert Khoo.

“At two or three of the main theatre events, 3-4% of the line wasn’t able to make it, but we hear those 3-4% loud and clear. We have a few ideas to manage that problem for 2009 including wristbands for popular events or just a straight-up hard count of people in line. The worst thing is if people line up for something and end up not getting in.”

More through the link.

Want to know what it’s like to play the Wii version of Sam and Max Season One? Wonder no longer. Destructoid had a go on the new version – set to release this autumn, or “soon” – at PAX last week, and wrote this as a result. In a nushell:

Visually, the game doesn’t look quite as sharp as it would on some high-end (and maybe even some “low-end”) PCs, but it doesn’t look awful running on the Wii; Telltale’s quirky style and visual comedy still comes through.

More through there.

There’s a movie on GameVee of the Major doing a presentation of Xbox Experience at PAX. There’s plenty of info in there about migrating groups within the Live update, Avatars, and so on. Worth watching.

Xbox Experience launches in November, says the internet.

Lionhead Studio’s Sam Van Tilburgh has told Kotaku at PAX that Fable 2 is on the verge of final master. Which is odd, seeing at Big Pete proclaimed the game as “finished” at E3.

“We have one or two bugs that are keeping us from going gold,” Van Tilburgh said.

In addition, Van Tilburgh said that the game’s official site is to soon contain a web-based game for gathering pre-launch Fable 2 gold, much like the recently released XBLA pub games. From this piece:

When the game’s official website relaunches it will include a web game or two that allows you to earn Fable 2 gold and unlock goodies like dye pots and a chicken suit for the game. All told, gamers will be able to unlock six to seven special items through the website, Van Tilburgh said. You can also earn coin through the games.

Game’s out at the end of October.

PAX has been pretty news-free so far, truth be told, but AddictGaming did snap something called Halo 3 Mythic on the Microsoft stand.

Here’s the only info known so far:

• There’s a Dev System underneath, which could mean a fair few things.
• The options in the menu are Multiplayer only, no Campaign options.
• The version of the game is 1.2 (Retail Halo 3 is currently 1.1)

No one seems to know what it is, basically. More through the link.

BioWare’s announced the first proper details of the content creation tools in upcoming RPG Dragon Age: Origins this morning, the first proper announcement from PAX 08.

In a nutshell:

• Create Original Adventures – Using the rich set of Dragon Age assets and locations as starting blocks, users can modify these stunning areas by adding new quests, characters and scripting to craft their own adventures, fate-defining conversations and cut-scenes.
• Powerful Script Editor – Users can fully customize combat and creature AI, allowing them to create detailed action sequences full of heart-pounding party-based tactical combat.
• Content Creators Community – BioWare plans to have a dedicated community area online where content creators can share content easily and get content updates for the toolset.
• On-Going Toolset Content Updates – BioWare plans to release additional assets and features for the toolset in the future, allowing for expanded creation of new areas.

Sounds groovy. Game’s out for PC early next year.

Press release after the link.

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Trixie360′s hot. She sounds hot. She may not be hot. Go and find out! You can meet all the chaps from the Major Nelson podcast, including the man himself, e and Trixie at PAX if you’re in Seattle this weekend. Details from Nelson’s blog:

• Who: Me, e, litheon, Trixie360 some of the Gamerscore blog folks and who ever else we can round up from the Xbox team
• What: Great burgers…need I say more?
• Why: Because you need to eat
• Where: The Red Mill at 1613 W Dravus St in Seattle [+1 206 284 6363] (Directions)
• When: Friday, August 29th from 1pm-2pmish.

Do it, PAX people. Send us pictures of Trixie.

The US PlayStation Blog’s setting up camp at PAX in Seattle later this week, so if you’re going along be sure to take your PSP for free digital stuff.

Coffee and doughnuts are also going gratis from the Sony kids, so don’t miss the opportunity to make your weakling heart beat faster for half an hour.

More info through the link.

Microsoft’s published its demo schedule for PAX 08, and there should be plenty there to keep you happy. Assuming you’re going to Seattle next week, obviously. And you’re into Marcus Fenix.

Gears 2 and a showing of Xbox Experience are both on show, neither of which made Leipzig last week, but there’s no sign of Halo Wars, Banjo, Viva 2 or Fable II.

Full thing through the link.

High Voltage Software has announced that the heavily hyped action shooter, The Conduit, will be shown by Nintendo at this year’s Penny Arcade Expo which takes place August 29-31 in Seattle.

“PAX is jam-packed wall-to-wall with passionate game fans,” High Voltage CEO Eric Nofsinger said.

“We are incredibly honoured to be featured there at Nintendo’s booth. It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to receive input and feedback directly from other gamers.”

Full release after the drop.

By Mike Bowden

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According to an announcement today, BioWare will be “presenting its upcoming dark heroic fantasy”, Dragon Age: Origins at Games Convention in Leipzig next week, as well as other “marquee” games show in the coming months.

If you’re anywhere near Indianapolis, Indiana, you can see the game at Gen Con from as early as tomorrow. You lucky people. Dragon Age will also make the trip to PAX in Seattle at the end of this month.

The words BioWare and RPG always equal “win” in our book, and judging by the E3 teaser and all the information that followed, that doesn’t look like it’s going to be changing any time soon.

Full press release after the drop.

By Mike Bowden

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Valve’s announced that Left 4 Dead’s going on a bit of a road trip before it releases in November, with playable versions on offer at Games Convention, France’s Festival du Jeu Video and PC Gamer Showdown in the UK.

The 360 version’s going to be on show at PAX, apparently.

“It sounds cliché, but in many ways you have to play this one to truly appreciate what we’re attempting,” said company boss Gabe Newell.

“So, to give gamers a chance to sample this new type of experience first hand, we’re taking Left 4 Dead on the road.”

Thanks, Edge.

Here. Sorry, we’re a bit late on this. PAX 2008 takes place in Seattle on August 29-31, and we’re not going, unfortunately. This means we’re going to miss a Dawn of War II presentation and a look at EndWar, but we’re going to Leipzig, so that’s fine.

Take a look.

According to this Gamespot report, PAX 2008 pre-registration for PAX 2008 has already supposed that total attendance of last year’s show.

The event, which takes place on August 29-31 in Seattle, has beaten last year’s figure of 39,000 with two weeks to go.

Join the crowds. It’s supposed to be a great show. See on the official site.

Speaking on its site, Bungie’s confirmed that its working on “brand new Halo 3 multiplayer conent” – which will be shown at PAX – as well as “three distinct projects underway within Bungie – some familiar, some not. Some on a closer horizon, some quite far off.”

The new Halo 3 stuff is not the pulled Halo game announce from E3.

“For the record, we have no plans to make any big announcements or huge reveals at PAX this year,” said the firm.

“While we will have some Halo 3 multiplayer stuff for you to check out, this is not going to be the ‘big announcement’ many of our fans are clamoring for.

“Rest assured that when the time is right, we will be making announcements and talking about the stuff we’re currently working on.”

Read the full thing through the link. PAX takes place in Seattle on August 29-31.

We so want to go to PAX 2008. The Penny Arcade showed announced its list of attending companies today, and it’s looking good. The show itself is taking place from August 29-31 at the Washington State Trade and Convention Center in Seattle.

After the link.

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Penny Arcade Expo has confirmed that BioShock dev supremo Ken “Mean” Levine is to keynote this year’s event.

The show, which seemingly goes from strength to the strength each year, will be held on August 29-31 at the Washington State Trade and Convention Center in Seattle.

Check the official site for more info.

Here. PAX 10 is an indie games section to PAX 2008, apparently, to be held at the expo on August 29-31 in Seattle.

Indie developers have until May 7 to sign up and try to get their games exhibited. Here’s the PAX site, but we can’t find the registration bit for PAX 10. Maybe you’ll have better luck than us.