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58,500 flock to PAX 2008

By Tom Magrino, GameSpotPosted Sep 2, 2008 11:52 am PT

Attendance record smashed at webcomic creators' open-to-the public event in Seattle.

It may have started as a niche gaming event, but the Penny Arcade Expo has quickly ascended to worldwide prominence. In no small part, that fact is due to major publisher support from the likes of Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Electronic Arts, and Activision Blizzard. The other half of that equation is thanks to show organizers Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins--creators of the influential Penny Arcade webcomic--who from the onset established the event as open to the public.

With this year's show wrapping up on Sunday, PAX organizers announced today that more than 58,500 attendees flocked to the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in downtown Seattle. As event organizers predicted after robust preregistration ticket sales, this year's turnout smashed last year's record of 39,000 attendees.

PAX 2008 was anchored by a keynote address from BioShock creator and 2K Boston head Ken Levine. The event also offered a number of panels helmed by industry veterans, covering such topics as the rise of democratized game design, the pitfalls of player feedback, Ryan Payton post-Metal Gear Solid, and women in the game industry.

GameSpot also caught up with Krahulik and Holkins, who spoke at length on the growing popularity of the show, the second episode of the duo's adventure game Penny Arcade Adventures, and PAX East Coast, which will set up shop in Boston beginning in 2010.

For more of GameSpot's coverage from the event, check out the PAX 2008 landing page.

24 Comments

  • division_9

    Posted Sep 22, 2008 4:33 am PT

    60,000 no life nerds at one conventon?!?!?!?!!?, Cool.

  • ashuncc2

    Posted Sep 4, 2008 8:46 am PT

    I enjoyed it. I would recommend that they allow Media at least a couple of days for their time on the floor. The show is supposed to be for gamers, but there were so many Media badges jumping lines. It made it tough to get to see everything we wanted to see.

  • dyaballikl

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 9:13 pm PT

    i was there, it was great!

  • AnthonyZ

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 1:12 pm PT

    This years PAX was outstanding. The best thing about PAX is that two gamers basically run the thing - let's hope it stays that way, as once corporate money starts to get involved it will start sucking.

  • _JPH_

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 11:06 pm PT

    I was there. It was awesome. Left 4 dead is the best game I have played. And the most impressive engine was the Far Cry engine definitely.

  • xophaser

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 9:18 pm PT

    This was in my backyard and I didn't go. My buddy played or saw Starcraft 2 and said it was a complete game. Well, I was in LA and didn't go to E3, even though I said I would. I will next year.

  • RobertSilcox

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 9:15 pm PT

    pax is got to be one of the best events i have been here in seattle it was great to get to meet alot of people from all around the world that came to this even this year. i have been going to this even from day one when it started but the only down fall is the fact that there was sooooooooo many people that lines to get to play and see this was really bad but getting to see so many things and get to talk to the people who are making our games and see how much the love showing the fans this type of thing was just great. All i have to say is E3 what........ lol

    also thank you to the fall out guys for showing off such a great demo at the show i just can't wait to get my copy of fall out and thank you for the signed poster and puppit

  • Oloryn

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 5:12 pm PT

    After years of not being able to attend E3, by the time I could, they downgraded it to what we have now, but fortunately I was able to attend PAX this year, and its great to see some developers and organizations give a show back to the people that make them their money, the gamers, and with the expansion to the East coast, it'll be awesome to know that even more gamers will have a chance to take part. Good news and good times all around!

  • lamprey263

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 5:03 pm PT

    I've had to miss the last two PAX events because of work, and I live right near the convention center but maybe next year, I keep telling myself

  • I1yodsyo1I

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 5:01 pm PT

    PAX is going to get bigger and bigger; lets see how many people attend PAX in 2010! (when it expands to Boston)

  • okassar

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 4:42 pm PT

    Oh ma Gawd,that is such a major increase in attendance over last year,PAX rivaled E3 last year,and does it even more this year.No matter how good PAX is,and even if it does eventually surpass E3,you gotta' give E3 some respect,you can't dispel it now.MS's show @ E3 made the whole event worth it I hope next year,just like PAX,E3 will improve itself, and,hopefully,Nintendo and Sony put up as good shows as MS put up this year.

  • mixelplixed

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 4:27 pm PT

    I only went for a single day but wish I went for all three, especially considering the demo lines in the exhibition area. It was a lot of fun nonetheless.

  • iLoveGrapedrank

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 4:03 pm PT

    pax is the next e3, only if big companies understood that!

  • PolskaKing

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 3:23 pm PT

    Mmm pretty good I would like to go to a trade show one day.

    @tiggerboy: Thats sweet man and just try man just try being #1

  • Holdwick

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 2:35 pm PT

    I was there and it was awesome!!! I really enjoyed the event and would recommend it to any video game enthusiast!

  • raahsnavj

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 2:34 pm PT

    With E3 dieing it is good to see another avenue to flock to.

  • Super-Mario-Fan

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 1:47 pm PT

    I wonder if E-For All can get that big.

  • tiggerboy

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 1:18 pm PT

    I was number 37,213 of 58,500 but next year I will be #1! It was awesome!!!!!

  • Kh1ndjal

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 1:11 pm PT

    that's almost a 50% increase in attendance

  • football_legend

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 1:10 pm PT

    The whole Expo is so awesome! This is probably the only event in the US where people can get to try games before they are released. Count me in for the PAX 09

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