This was the fourth time I've been to a PAX, and the thing that strikes me about the show, even more than the incredible costumes or the so-thick-you-can-barely-move crowds, is the big smile on everyone's face. At a show like GDC or E3, there are plenty of happy faces, but also plenty of scowling, just-here-for-business types. The Penny Arcade Expos aren't like that. Almost everyone you pass seems like they have died and gone to their gaming nerd heaven, even if they are stuck waiting in a two-hour line to watch an Assassin's Creed video. Even the exhibitors seem genuinely thrilled to be among so many of their own kind. Here's a small sample of what the show feels like from the inside.
PAX East 2013
Another fun saying on the entryway sign: "The reason your IT guy called in 'sick.'"
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
Another fun saying on the entryway sign: "The reason your IT guy called in 'sick.'"
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
TO ENTER THE EXPO HALL YOU FIRST MUST BEST ME IN FIVE FEATS OF STRENGTH!
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
These cosplaying ladies were distracted by a line of people entering the theater as I took this shot. I think it makes them look mysterious.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
Definitely the most impressive cosplay I saw during the show, this Transformer towered over onlookers and was decked out with light strips.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
If you don't recognize this excellent cosplay, you need to play Super Mario RPG like RIGHT NOW.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
The Proto Man (Woman?) in this shot is actually arguing with the couple about a $1 tip they tried to give her for a picture. "I have nowhere to put it!"
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
A more proper shot of the well constructed Proto Woman.
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PAX East 2013
I don't remember the scene in Alice in Wonderland where they met by the coat check, but I'd read that fanfiction.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
I'm not sure why Iron Man was assigned to protect these pictures. Maybe they're worth more than I thought...
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
It was too loud for me to ask from afar how she made that orange plastic omni-tool, but I wish I knew.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
There seemed to be more males dressing as female characters this year, maybe due to the presence of a panel on transgender people in the gaming community at PAX.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
This Prince of All Cosmos practically begged me to take his picture by pressing himself up against this window right in front of me.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
This enthusiastic horse was trying desperately to get picked for a spot on Video Game Jeopardy as part of Game Show Night.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
PAX East is the kind of place where people in ridiculously amazing costumes stop to take pictures of people in other ridiculously amazing costumes.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
This Firefall statue started making extremely loud noises and emitting steam every few minutes. The crew manning the registration desks was complaining about it.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
Minecraft was an especially cheap and easy costume idea, especially among the younger set.
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PAX East 2013
OH MY GOD WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR HEAD SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION QUICKLY!
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
Believe it or not, this three-year-old Pikachu said she was at her third PAX East. Way to start life off right!
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
Portal/Uncharted crossover CONFIRMED for PlayStation 4.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
For a game that isn't out yet, BioShock Infinite was a surprisingly popular costume inspiration.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
I heard a few people muttering "Who is that supposed to be?" as I took this picture. They will know soon enough, I reckon...
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
If you need a copy of the Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt combo cartridge, this dealer has at least 25 of them. I'm betting he left the conference with every single one of them, too.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
In the land of tabletop gamers, the man selling dice is a king.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
A scene from the upcoming Dance Central: Arkham City.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
Is it me, or does this costume pairing suggest the guy likes to get, er, thrown around by the girl?
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
The presence of this odd inflatable jousting game at the Entertainment Consumer Association booth does not, in fact, mean there's a new classic American Gladiators game coming out, unfortunately.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
These guys earned themselves a picture when I passed by and realized they were going for "PokeTron." And yes, they confirmed that the pun was intentional.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
This girl was very "Brave" (see what I did there) but obviously tired of posing for pictures by the time I got to her.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
Divekick was the surprise hit of the show, drawing deep crowds of onlookers and waiting players with its two-button take on fighting games.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
My lens wasn't nearly wide enough to capture the entire BYO Computer LAN area. This picture will have to do.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
The show organizers converted some of the lunch tables into card/board gaming tables this year. People were eating on the floors, but they didn't seem to mind much.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
Anyone doubting the power of web video should have seen the crowds that gathered around the Twitch TV booth, clogging up aisles constantly.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
Wut?
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
Crews break down the expo floor at the end of a whirlwind weekend.
Kyle Orland
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PAX East 2013
"...how about the power... to move you?" *killer guitar riff*
Bruce Webster
Listing image by Kyle Orland
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