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Above: PAX attendee Anthony Richards, 23, of Victoria, British Columbia, awaits the opening keynote. Dressed as Mario.
SEATTLE -- All you need to do is set foot into the convention center, and you know: PAX is way, way bigger this year.
It's not just the sea of humanity that you find yourself thrown about in, inextricably, as soon as you set foot into the exposition hall. It's what's in that hall. Last year, Telltale Games had a little table on which were arranged a few copies of its* Sam and Max* games. This year, its booth is the first thing you see when you walk in the front doors, and it is a massive shrine to Strong Bad.
There's a giant aluminum trailer with a plastic mannequin family out in front of it for Fallout 3. There are two huge stages where people can rock out to* Rock Band* and Guitar Hero in front of crowds of... well, dozens. PAX might not be the "new E3" -- but it has most definitely arrived.
I haven't had the chance to do much besides roam the expo floor for half an hour, and then watch the Ken Levine keynote. Saturday's a big day: If you're here, be sure to come to our panel at 1:30!
Image: Stephen Brashear/Wired.com
