PAX triples in size

While the Electronic Entertainment Expo downsizes, other gaming conventions around the world are expanding to pick up the slack. But perhaps none more so than the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX), which this year is going to triple its exhibit space from previous years with a move to Seattle's Washington State Convention & Trade Center.

Organizers of the event today announced that booth space for the show is completely sold out now, with a lineup of exhibitors featuring Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, and Ubisoft. While the show has its roots in the game-centric Web comic Penny Arcade, it touches on a number of tangentially related fields, such as tabletop board gaming and pen-and-paper role-playing games.

In addition to game publishers' booths, the show will also feature concerts from such artists as Jonathan Coulton and Freezepop, tournaments, contests, and game-related discussion panels. This year's keynote address will be delivered by actor Will Wheaton, best known as Ensign Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

PAX is set to take place August 24-26, with three-day passes available for $45 in advance. Last year's event attracted more than 19,000 attendees. For more on the show, visit the event's official Web site.