The Expo was very well thought out. There was a main exhibition hall that was one huge light and noise show. Companies did what they could in the space allotted, vying for the attention (and future dollars) of the gaming community. It was easy to tell the posers from the people who actually knew their market. GameTrailers.com thoughtfully set up carpeting with lush padding underneath for all the feet tired of concrete. They even had a couch in front of a big screen to play on. It was a very popular booth. Army.com was doing a brisk business, smartly setting up near some of the war games. Very few of the booths were selling anything; instead they were building their customer base. Most had giveaways of one kind or another.
In addition to the main gaming hall, various companies rented their own rooms. These were actually more interesting to me because they were significantly less noisy and crowded. In one, my boys played a simulcast game alongside hundreds of others. They play online with hundreds of other people all the time, but there’s something a lot more fun about standing up, looking over your monitor, and gloating to the guy across from you that he’s going down. In another room, the would-be next Dungeons and Dragons game set up tournaments and play, complete with the requisite beautiful instructor to draw in the players.
As the evening drew to a close in the exhibit hall, the nerdcore concerts began. Having left my ear plugs at home, we decide to call it a night. The party goes on officially until 2 am each night, but unofficially it doesn’t stop. Enforcers (their version of Security) abounded and kept things in line. We didn’t see a single problem, and were very impressed at the way gamers conducted themselves.
With the commitment from the gaming companies, the gaming community, and the precision with which it is run, PAX is destined to become THE gaming event in North America. Next year, we’ve decided to make it a family vacation.
Julie Gentry is the Deals blogger for Families.com. She is also a geek-by-choice, which is completely different than a nerd-by-birth!