[PAX] Prime 2012 [updated]

 
Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) is a series of gaming conventions created by the Authors of the highly popular Penny Arcade webcomic, Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulic. The two decided to have a go at making a gamer con simply because they wanted to attend an event that equally supported console gamers, computer gamers, and tabletop gamers. This particular event, "PAX Prime" is one of 3 of the main events in the PAX series, specifically taking place in Seattle, Washington in the USA with an attendance of 70,000 plus.



The show floor was similar to E3 as there were many companies like 2K, Nintendo, Gearbox, and more with their own unique areas displaying their latest games. Above you can see the Borderlands 2 and XCOM areas.


Since 2004 PAX has mainly been viewed as a festival and recognition of gamer culture. 
Unlike E3 there are no enormous world-wide televised press conferences and the general focus isn't always on the latest and greatest- but as an appreciation of all things gamer.
The defining elements of the event include opening speeches from industry insiders, panels related to gaming topics, many exhibitor areas that range from indie games to the major developers and publishers, gamer-culture inspired concerts, tabletop game tournaments, LAN parties, and the Omegathon which happens at every PAX. 
The Omegathon would best be described as a long tournament with various randomly selected attendees all competing for a grand prize- in which the final round marks the end of a PAX event.
Let's take a look around PAX Prime 2012 shall we?


As with all events, cosplayers are still a sight to behold.


A fabulous Zelda and Midna duo from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.


Amazing cosplay of Legion from the Mass Effect series.
At first I thought it was a normal Geth, but you can see Legion's signature scarred armor on his right side. Not too visible in this photo. but its there.


Ness from Mother 2: Gyiyg no Gyakushū (MOTHER2 ギーグの逆襲) also known as "Earthbound" outside of Japan- getting his shopping on. Still awesome to see folks who like this classic series. 
Did you ever play any of the Mother games?


Not totally sure who this guy is, but he looks awesome. Reminds me of Balder from Thor.


A look at the insides of a Creeper from Minecraft. This thing was incredibly popular, since PAX Prime 2012 I've seen numerous amounts of photos of this thing popping up all over the web.
Creepers are creatures in Minecraft who deliberately seek out the player and follow them until they are close and then "blow up" causing great damage to any nearby structures and usually killing the player. 
They are one of the most notorious evil creatures in modern-day gaming, and have even inspired a rise in "Minecraft culture" selling large amounts of Creeper and Minecraft based merchandise in their likeness- which, is somewhat of a phenomenon really.


A close up of the Creeper..
Here's a look into how they are born...(not really but its funny)


Looks like we have Jin Kazama in his demon form and Riri (リリ) aka Lili, from the Tekken series here.


Some of the Disco Zombies from Plants VS Zombies.  Plants VS Zombies is one of the best selling and most popular iPhone games to ever exist next to Angry Birds, Doodlejump, etc...
I played it a couple years ago when it first came out, however I've heard that it has since been expanded a bit. May need to check that out soon, its a highly addicting and great game.


An area off to the side for The Walking Dead series.
Pretty sure this was mainly for The Walking Dead game.


Some cosplayers playing The Walking Dead game.
Can you spot who they are from behind?


One of the most unique cosplay groups I've seen- the Steampunk Mario group!




Crystal Graziano most commonly known as "Precious" is a professional cosplayer sponsored by Red 5 Studios and FireFall. You may have seen her with the Firefall crew at many events like PAX, Anime Expo, and more.


Red 5 Studios (who are developing the FireFall game), has launched a large campaign across many events and expos to promote their upcoming PC game. These displays and promotions usually consist of a FireFall "stage" with several cosplayers who are sponsored with amazingly high-quality looking gear- to cosplay FireFall characters and promote the game.
The game itself is said to be a PC free-to-play mix of MMORPG/MMOFPS genres when it is released. 
As of April the game is currently in beta testing, appeared at PAX where they released an NDA, and was previously demo'd at RTX 2012 back in July. 
Unless I'm wrong (please tell me if so) there has been no confirmed release date for FireFall yet.


The game has been in development for several years. 
A YouTube search reveals trailers from 2 years ago- not sure what's taking so long.
Personally I'm looking forward to the game as I'm a techie and sci-fi fan, and some of the gear and tech in the story and universe of the game looks awesome, but as a critic and a journalist I think the game looks a bit generic, and that the cosplayers and general FireFall merch and propaganda used to promote the game seem are a bit more aesthetically pleasing than the game itself.
They seem to be spending a considerable amount of time working on the game. It has been looking better since I first saw it in 2010. 
You never know though, it could be great.




The FireFall bus which you may have seen outside of Anime Expo.


And now for something totally random- a Madoka cosplayer wearing what looks to be the head of the robot from Destructoid.


Really love the building PAX Prime takes place in.
Reminds me a bit of Minecraft...






A homeless Stormtrooper spotted with sign that reads, "Death Star blown up by teensagers. I need money for blue milk booze."
There's also another sign on the ground that reads, "THOSE WERE THE DROIDS I was looking for".
Had a good laugh the first time I saw this guy. Creative none the less!


Above is Emily Jarrett from the Vancouver School of Theology, Michael Elliott from EA Canada and Eric Gauf who is a Moderator at the "On God and Gaming" panel.


Nearby theater that PAX uses for various events.


Lot of folks wanting in to the Theater.


Once again, I love this building's architecture.


This guy's playing Fruit Ninja Kinect.
Never tried it. Probably never will.
I have regular Fruit Ninja on the iOS though.


Awesome cosplay from Planetside.




Would you take one of these home?


Nintendo brought Super Mario Bros.U.


Castle Crashers arcade machines.


Beautiful colored dice that are used for many tabletop and card games. I myself have several colors just like these for playing tabletop and card games.


Retro Atari games!


Some comrades at the Planetside 2 area.


Here and there you'll see a lot of folks engaged in trying out new PC games that are on display for anyone to have a go at.


This reminds me of me and my parents (also gamers of their time) who taught me to play Atari and the original NES when I was 4. Gotta start 'em young!
I'll never be one of those people who say "Video Games rot your brain!" to kids. It was my passion for gaming throughout my life that not only helped me cope with many things in my life, but also taught me a lot through playing games like RPGs and Card Games where I learned Math, Problem Solving, and even Morals. 
Good vs Evil game stories have always been my favorite. 
I also have to thank my parents (mainly my mother since my no-good father abandoned us) for teaching me to appreciate good games and to not "abuse" them or let them take over my life to the point of ridiculousness or reclusiveness because anything can be abused. 
I also thank her for letting me continue to follow my passions related to gaming, because it has become such a big part of our society these days- and its generally such a positive thing!
Being a gamer is a very large part of what got me to where I am today. 

For me I'll be making sure to do the same with my children. Gaming in general is an art form, a hobby, and something magical that I cannot totally describe. 
It is in the same medium as Music and Film. Interactive worlds that are created by the creative minds of many. 
It is a wonderful creation by Mankind, and I think everyone should enjoy it. 
As I like to say- everyone in the world is a gamer, and if they say they aren't- that's because they haven't found a game they've liked yet. :)


A band playing in the halls of PAX Prime 2012.


Portal 2 cosplay!


No idea what any of them are from, but lets just say that I'll be having nightmares from the purple one in the middle.


Someone playing a GTA-esque game. Not sure if its Saints Row The Third, Sleeping Dogs, or what.


Interesting mix here as we've got Yuna from Final Fantasy X, Queen Amidala, and a Planetside cosplayer. 
Its intriguing to think what would happen if these 3 characters teamed up in something?
Precious spotted again in the background.


Another interesting mix as we've got Legion and Commander Shepard from the Mass Effect series, accompanied by someone from Halo I believe. Hmm...what would a Mass Effect x Halo crossover be like?


Game of Thrones cosplayers spotted! I especially like the Daenerys Targaryen cosplay with her dragons.
I myself am a big Game of Thrones fan as its an excellent series. 
Who else is keeping up with Game of Thrones?


More Mass Effect girls having a good time in the hall.
Looks like its two Alliance Officers (possibly their versions of Shepard) teaming up on Kai Leng over a box of Blast-O's cereal. I think I rolled on the floor a bit, laughing my head off when I saw that cereal box- its a joke on Blast-O, the first Hanar spectre, which was already an in-game joke.
 

From Mass Effect 2:

And from Machinma:

"This one doesn't have time for your solid waste excretions..."
"Enkindle this..."
 And from ME3...



Another group of folks playing video game music in the halls.


Not sure what they're from, but I have to say these cosplayers look awesome.


Free Hugs signs still going around these days.


Artist drawing Disney characters.


Had a good laugh at this one too as the character is playing itself on-screen in Persona 4:The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena (ペルソナ4 ジ・アルティメット イン マヨナカアリーナ) aka P4 Arena.


Wil Wheaton spotted. He looks very lost in thought here.


As we have arrived at the end of our PAX Prime 2012 coverage, I leave you with a shot of the "Mustache Emporium".

Thanks to these photographers on Flickr for contributing, in which photo credit goes to:
architecturegeek
cabbit
getdarwin
knight725