Sakura img by [heathbar]

I only sit upon the periphery of gaming culture. That is to say, I date a gamer, and so have a window in, but am rarely a participant. Thus, when I saw the flags around downtown announcing the Penny Arcade Expo [paex], I knew what it was, but that’s about it. Enter wikipedia [wiki] (what ever did we do before the Internets?).

The ExpoPAX starts today at 2, but there were gamers hanging about the convention center as early as 8 a.m. this morning when I rolled into the office. I have to say my first thought about the gamer-geeks I saw was that thankfully they had not overcrowded my coffee shop as many conventioneers are wont to do. Point: gamers. The second thought was to remark to myself that it was interesting that gamers are as recognizable as the Sakura-Con people, but far less flashy [wiki].

So, I just went down for another stroll to see what’s going on in the final minutes before launch and there’s a weird tour bus sitting outside with The Spoils emblazoned upon its side. Band? Apparently not. Nope, it’s a tournament card game [spoils]. Okay, there’s another bit of geek culture that I had been heretofore unaware of. At this point, I really feel like I’m in the deep-end.

But what is this I see? Scrolling through the schedule for this weekend, a shining beacon of geek pierces through my outsider’s fog: one Wil Wheaton, who is giving this year’s Keynote Address [wwdn]. Oh if only our little blogging enterprise here had warranted me a press-pass. Alas, if I want to see Wesley Crusher (@ 4 p.m.), I’ll have to shell out the $30 daily fee just like everyone else.

Other notable events for today [paex]:

• 7:00 - 8:00 Girls and Games, the Growing Role of Women in the Game Industry

• 8:30 - 10 Trivia! Okay, I only ever get 1 point on the quizzes in the back of the EGM, but I do so love trivia.
• 9:30 - 2 a.m. the first night of the PAX Nerdcore Concert Series:
  “Break out your cell phone and handheld gaming screens to welcome Freezepop and the OneUps as they join our PAX musical guest veterans Optimus Rhyme and the NESkimos for night one of our PAX Nerdcore Concert Series. The first 4,000 attendees at PAX on Friday afternoon will receive wristbands for guaranteed entry, with the remaining seats being given away on a first-come, first-served basis.”

Nerdcore definitely sounds like it’s in Seattle’s wheelhouse. So, who’s going to this? Any thoughts or recommendations from ExpoPAX veterans?

Update: I’m such a dork. I called it the wrong name! What little credentials I have are gone. Thanks for the head’s up.

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4. Gamers Make Pilgrimage to Seattle for PAX
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