PAX venue will triple in size in 2007

by Ross Miller { Aug 15th 2006 at 7:25PM }

According to a press release sent out today, the 2007 Penny Arcade Expo will be "triple the size of [the 2006 venue], and we've already begun to receive reservations for booth space from AAA publishers." Despite the massive growth, Penny Arcade's resident business guru, Robert Khoo, expressed a desire to keep PAX about the community. "We don't want to be E3," he said.

This years, over 17,000 people are expected to attend PAX. With triple the venue size, we can presume triple the attendance (the demand will be there, we suspect). A 2007 Penny Arcade Expo with around 51,000 attendees, puts it just under the size of E3 2006 (60,000 people). With such an influx of people and a growing list of major publishers, can Tycho and Gabe, Inc., manage to keep the sensationalism out?

The 2006 Penny Arcade Expo runs from August 25 to 27 in Bellevue, Washington.

Penny Arcade Comments on Evolving PAX Role In View of Mini E3

Seattle, WA-August 14, 2006-There has been much discussion in the industry about what event, if any, will take the place of the event formerly known as E3. Robert Khoo, Penny Arcade's Director of Business Development, responds to widespread speculation about the growing role of the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX), now in its third year:

"PAX has clearly been growing in leaps and bounds. Even before the demise of the 'old' E3, this year's PAX was on track to attract more than 17,000 attendees with a big presence from Microsoft and Nintendo and scores of other big names in gaming. But PAX is all about the community, and Penny Arcade is committed to keeping it that way. We don't want to be E3. PAX is a place that hardcore gamers, whether they work in the industry, or not, come to be completely immersed in game play, game music and game culture.

There will be some changes in store for PAX next year. In 2007, PAX will move to a venue triple the size of 2006, and we've already begun to receive reservations for booth space from AAA publishers. Based on recent conversations with our exhibitors and potential new exhibitors, we do expect publishers to continue - perhaps even more so than in the past - to reveal developmental phase games to hardcore game fans in order to get their direct input on unfinished products. In a way, PAX is like a giant 3-day beta test, which works really well for both developers and publishers. We're also seeing an increase in PAX interest from the media - both gaming and mainstream."

Tags: PAX, penny arcade, penny arcade expo, PennyArcade, PennyArcadeExpo

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Copper @ Aug 15th 2006 7:45PM

Having dealt with these guys many times, I can assure every skeptic that they will indeed not succumb to sensationalism -- they are about the community, not about a force-fed marketing blitz.

qbix @ Aug 15th 2006 7:49PM

The question is, where will PAX 2007 be held? Being a California resident, E3 was quite convenient, but now that it is no more, I need to find not only the money to enter but also the money to get there. I guess the term "hardcore gamer" is very appropriate if you are willing to whip out the cash for an event like this.

RyanH @ Aug 15th 2006 7:55PM

I would guess it will be held somewhere in Seattle.
Bigger venues, more hotels.

Tiago @ Aug 15th 2006 7:58PM

Being in Europe I don't see myself going there wherever it is. Must be pretty cool though :)

HaloBreaker @ Aug 15th 2006 8:00PM

Good luck to them, I hope they keep it more convention'esq than the BIG MEDIA look that E3 had. Since they've focused on games and gamers mostly I don't think they'll change. Until somebody says "If you give you this FAT check will you let us do what ever we want?"

Vexorg @ Aug 15th 2006 8:03PM

There are really only a couple of venues in the area larger than Meydenbauer Center: The Washington State Convention Center and the Qwest Field Event Center. Of those two, I suspect the latter would be better equipped to accomodate an event of this size.

Blax @ Aug 15th 2006 8:23PM

The venue has already been announced. PAX 07 will take place in Seattle at the WSCTC

http://www.wsctc.com/

Drew @ Aug 15th 2006 8:31PM

From what I've seen this convention is all about the gamer unlike E3 which caters to freeloading journalist or bloggers. If they can keep the gamer the focus of this event it will succeed no matter how big it gets. It will be a chance for publishers to interact with their core audience and actually sell games, posters, and other merch. All the while raising awareness of soon to be released games or bringing attention to overlooked games. Gamers get to try out a ton of games and have a good time, Publishers can reach their intended audiences and maybe make a little money. sounds like a win for everybody.

Of course publishers need to keep booths simple and low cost or all is naught. Publishers so far act like they aren't the ones that drove E3 down the tube.

heavyness @ Aug 15th 2006 8:42PM

i've been to the first 2 PAXs and going to #3. first day, the place is crazy busy and there isn't much room to breathe! the place they are having it isn't setup for this kind of event. by late day 2, space opens up and it's a little more comfortable.

i for one look forward to more room to game in. and i don't see PAX turning into a E3. as long as they keep the LAN gaming going and tournaments, the exhibits will still be secondary to people just wanting to game.

but this is also a positive thing, the more money they get from exhibitors, the more "free play" areas they can setup for anyone to sit down and play some Halo, Tekken, Super Smash Bros, and maybe book some more entertainment!

we all win in the end!

Keith L. Dick @ Aug 15th 2006 8:43PM

I think all the big name companies are really tired of spending all those millions to impress everybody so a slimmed down venue like this would be financially to their liking and be a bit easier for visitors to actally get a better grasp on the products and not the Amusement Park Surroundings like at E3... Don't get me wrong all the times I went to E3 I had fun but I really didn't take in everything that was there because of the Dark Gloomy Look of the main hall and all the loud music going on...

Silver R. Wolfe @ Aug 15th 2006 9:00PM

Best thing about PAX would be that it is in Washington. And it would only be a 2 hour drive for me.

If I ever decide to go that is.

Judd @ Aug 15th 2006 9:10PM

Why are the cool things in the West Coast? E3 was in L.A., PAX will be in Washington, the Comic Con is in San Diego, CES is in Las Vegas. I live in New Jersey and I was wondering if you guys knew of anything ever happening in New York City. I mean considering it's America's biggest city, and the business capital of the world you'd think they'd have something there. Ok, forget about NYC what about anywhere in the Eastern Time Zone. I know they had something in Philadelphia a few months ago, but is there ever anything big that the average guy can go to in the area?

Kevin @ Aug 15th 2006 9:24PM

Why the hell does this thing get so freaking big? It's set up by 2 stupid cartoon characters. This just blows my mind.

vaylen @ Aug 15th 2006 9:32PM

Why are all cool things on the west coast? I'd like to see a taping of Conan O'Brien or The Daily Show. Heck even seeing the NFL draft would be fun once... You always want what you don't have.

Willie @ Aug 15th 2006 9:45PM

HOLD IT IN NEW YORK CITY NEXT YEAR!!!

OH GOD PLEASE!!

Undertaker @ Aug 15th 2006 10:06PM

You know, I love Penny arcade, just today got there second book as a matter of fact, and one day I plan to attend Pax. But, I can't resist it, I must stab at the ego of one Mr. Jack Thompson.

Remember jack, you tried to put them in jail, look at how well it worked out, now there gonna have over 30,000 at there next event, and you can't do better then getting on G4, a network you once labelled as "a network for morons".

Rock on PA, you guys rule. Heres hoping I get up the money next year to travel to Pax.

valisol @ Aug 15th 2006 10:26PM

Ross, I think you meant "This year" and not "This years".

I think.

Blax @ Aug 15th 2006 10:28PM

For you East Coasters: According to Khoo there will be an East Coast PAX in 2008 (pretty sure of the year, correct me if I'm wrong), though it will not replace the West Coast one.

Sean DL @ Aug 15th 2006 11:46PM

If WizardWorld(Wizarduniverse.com) can have events for each "coast"(Philly, L.A., Texas(Dallas), Chicago(original)) then I'm sure we will have PAX "coast events" too...

On NYC events, NYC has plenty of cool convention events, hell they have TWO tech events open to the public..So don't go saying NYC doesn't get stuff...

I'm just grateful that WizardWorld pick Philly three years ago and brought Video Games Live concert with them this year.