E3Expo’s refocus as a smaller show is giving other gaming-oriented events the opportunity to beef up. Already CEA — whose annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is already a massive affair — has announced that it’s considering its own gaming event, and now Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) has announced plans to expand.
PAX is now in its third year. An outgrowth of the enormously popular Web-based comic strip created by Jerry “Tycho” Holkins and Mike “Gabe” Krahulik, this year’s PAX takes place in Bellvue, Wash. from August 25 – 27, 2006.
PAX was already on track to attract more than 17,000 attendees, according to Robert Khoo, Penny Arcade’s director of business development. It had also attracted vendors including Microsoft and Nintendo. What’s more, this year’s “Omegathon III” gaming tournament will give away a Scion xB vehicle equipped with gamer gear.
“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,” said Khoo.
Although Khoo is careful to caution that PAX has no intention of becoming another E3, the company announced that in 2007, the event will move to a venue triple its current size, and it’s already receiving reservations for booth space from leading gaming publishers.