This past weekend was the Penny Arcade Expo 2009, a video game convention for gamers, by gamers. Besides a showcase of upcoming games, PAX offers a host of events, tournaments and social events to bring the gaming community together. Despite being catered towards the gamers rather than the press, this annual three day event in Seattle  is fast becoming one of the premier videogame events, and this year was no exception for big announcements.

This was my first time at PAX, and I spent the majority of my time in the exhibition hall, trying out the latest games on the horizon. The past few blog posts cover a few of the games I tried out, though PAX is much more than just a new games showcase. Half of the titles at PAX have already been shown at E3 or other shows, and save for a few instances, the content at the expo is not exclusive.

Unfortunately, I treated PAX like I would E3, so I don’t think I got the full benefit of the exhibition. For one, PAX is a gathering of the gaming community, and while I met a few new friends, I didn’t feel like I maximized the social aspect of PAX. That’s why I am starting to consider PAX East. Here I would be out of my element, in a new city at a conceivably less crowded event with more time to really absorb the gaming culture. I started this blog to be more than just an editorial review site, I want to examine the gaming industry and the culture that supports it.  Spending all your time waiting in line for a game that is coming out in a few months doesn’t seem like a great way to spend time at one of the largest community events of the year. I would have loved to connect with some of the groups like Joystiq Podcast Appreciation Group Podcast (Yes, they are a group that makes a podcast about a podcast, awesome right?).

Don’t misunderstand me, I had a blast at PAX, and I would recommend the conference to anyone in a heartbeat. I just think it is more than just a convention, and I regret not experiencing the rest of it.  I am excited about the prospect of attending PAX East, we will see in the coming months if I can seriously make it happen! For all the PAX photos, check out our Facebook Fan Page.