Monday, September 1, 2008

PAX 08 & August Digital Bonanza

We just got back from a Labor Day Weekend trip to Seattle, which included an afternoon spent at the Penny Arcade Expo. It was pretty cool, but a little smaller than I had expected (the booths were tiny). There wasn't anything completely new unveiled at the show, but there were plenty of upcoming games on display and playable, if you were willing to brave the lines. I wasn't. I did get to watch a few cool things being played, though: Left 4 Dead, Mirror's Edge, Fallout 3, Starcraft II, Gears of War 2, Rockband 2, Guitar Hero World Tour, Wii Music, Puzzle Quest: Galactrix, Yakuza 2, and a whole lot more.


This is me beside a V.A.T.S. (I think that's how it's written) from Fallout 3. I don't know what the acronym stands for, but I'm looking forward to find out!

This is one of the panels we went to (yes, I did drag my wife along--no, I don't think she was all that interested). Left to right: Perrin Kaplan, formerly of Nintendo, Jon Davison, former EGM/1-UP head honcho, Cheryl something or other, author of Grand Theft Childhood, and Newsweek's game writer N'gai Croal. This panel was on games' treatment of sex and violence, and how the industry should improve it, while also keeping parents well-informed of which games contain what content.

It was a good time, and I got to meet some cool folks, like Jon Davison there, and also Cheapy D of Cheap Ass Gamer and the CAG-cast, and Scott Benson, the host of Evil Avatar Radio (WACV), the game-related radio show/podcast. All very nice guys, and very generous, considering they provide me with hours and hours of entertainment each week for $0.00.

Below is my August gaming haul. No physical product! The revolution has come, and GameStop shall be first against the wall!







7 comments:

Catherine said...

*jealous*

BTW I just picked up a PSP for my birthday, after falling in love with Loco Roco, what would you recommend? :)

Count Elmdor said...

Hey! I think you posted even before I was done editing and stuff!

Congrats on your new toy. Recommendations? I think it's safe to assume you can be pretty hardcore, so I'd say check out Jeanne D'Arc, Valkyrie Profile, and Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions for your RPG/Strat fix.

For other interesting puzzler types: Every Extend Extra, Lumines (1 or 2, both are awesome), Patapon (very Loco Roco art-style, rhythmic action game), and Puzzle Quest, if you can't get the Xbox Live Arcade (or PC) version.

I'm sure there are a ton more, just depending on what genres you like.

Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

Looking good dude!

@linliel:

Check out echochrome. amazing game. really fun brain-bending illusions.

Catherine said...

Haha, my RSS reader stalks you good!

And thanks for the game recommendations, I will totally get them (I was going to get Patapon but I couldn't find it -- they haven't released FFT here it seems :( So uh I might hax0r my PSP and find it through alternate means :P ) I saw the box for echochrome in the shop and it looked interesting but I thought I might check out some reviews before I snagged it :)

Cheers!

Anonymous said...

hey pimp,

long story short, I hurt my back so I haven't been able to hobble to the post office and mail your game yet. I will soon, I promise.

Count Elmdor said...

No worries, I have way too much stuff to play as is. You should get Castle Crashers so we can kick ass in co-op!

Soulless Toast said...

Glad you had a good time at PAX and got to meet Scott! Next year fish and I will have no excuse not to go!