Penny Arcade Expo 2007 (PAX07) - The OCModShop Experience

OCModShop.com is attending PAX 07, and we have tons of information about the latest game announcements, as well as the latest products.  We also cover the keynote speeches, panels, LAN parties, tournaments, and other gaming events... and what game convention would be complete without all the Booth babes and Gamer Babes?  We got you covered like a Jimmy Hat.

What we have listed isn't everything we plan on covering... we'll be adding tons more, so check back often.

Last updated Monday, Auguest 29, 8:05 am PST

General PAX Information:

• Indianapolis 500 Legends Hands-on Preview
  Destineer is a game publisher that has focused a lot on Nintendo platforms, from the Gameboy Advance to the DS and now the Wii. They have several upcoming games to be released this November, right before the Christmas rush. I was able to speak with Jeremy Zoss, who is the Communications Manager at Destineer, who demonstrated all of their companys game lineup.
  
  Their biggest game was Indianapolis 500 Legends for the Nintendo Wii. This game covers the Indy history from 1961 to 1971, so racing buffs can recreate famous moments in history. There are 33 official Indy cars in the race, organized by era. Each races difficulty increases with each year, as more advanced cars are mixed in, and the AI becomes more aggressive.
• Halo ActionClix Miniatures Hands-on Preview
  If you've been gaming for a long while, then perhaps you remember the time when what now are popular video games were played exclusively with paper and dice. Dungeons and Dragons, BattleTech, Lord of the Rings, and many other gaming franchises were originally games that took many hours to play. Now, one hour of checking the rulebook, rolling dice, calculating hits, and logging damage are simulated by the computer in just a few seconds.
  
  In an unusual twist turn, a popular video game franchise has been brought to the tabletop, in the form of WizKids' Halo ActionClix. Since Halo ActionClix aims to bring the frenzy of PvP to the tabletop, and thus the rules are simplified to make for quick gameplay (by tabletop standards).
• The Lovely Ladies of PAX 2007
  Walking around the exhibition floor at PAX can be rather exhausting. There are crowds of people in the way, but luckily there are lots of hot gamer ladies to bump into "accidentally". I'm quite a big guy, so it was only a matter of time before I would make some of these gaming mavens a little uncomfortable. Many were happy to pose and show off their costumes and clever T-shirts.
  
  Since PAX was nearly three times larger than last year, there were more booth babes. Only a few booths had true models, but many of the game PR managers and producers were beautiful women, and are more than happy to talk with everyone.
• Wil Weaton Keynote Address
  Here is the summary of the absolutely awesome keynote by Wil Wheaton. It has been rephrased, but here is the summary. The complete audio file is available for download in the article, as well.
  
  The keynote address was absolutely amazing. It was genuinely entertaining. Not only was it as good as any stand-up comedy act, but it left everyone with an exhaulted feeling of pride, and I learned a few things about myself in the process. Kudos to Wil Wheaton... he has a deep passion for video games, and appreciates them for what they truly are: modern art
  
• Dragonball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 Hands-On Preview
  Dragonball Z Games have not had the best reputation in the past. Many reviewers usually give them lackluster reviews, which usually results in numerous angry letters from die-hard DBZ fanboys. This trend may soon change, as we were given a hands-on preview of the latest Dragonball Z game for the Nintendo Wii.
  
  Yes, Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is yet another fighting game, but this time its on the Wii, and sports a whole new control mechanism. Although the Wii has limited horsepower compared to the other next-gen consoles, it is the most powerful system a DBZ game has ever run on. Because of the upgraded silicon, this new game looks as close to the classic anime series as you can get.
• Q & A With Uwe Bolls: Director of Postal, Bloodrayne, and House of the Dead
  Mr. Bolls was an unscheduled appearance, and showed up at PAX on Friday evening.  Although he is an established filmmaker, he was met with jeers and a generally hostile crowd.
  
  Postal is based on the controvertial 10-year-old franchise by Running with Scissors games, in which a deadbeat from a trailer park goes on a shooting spree that's filled with macabre and sick humor. Regardless of its qualifications in taste, Postal has been a cult classic video game, and has fueled policital debates about video game censorship.
• FAQ: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness
  Hothead Games today announced that its highly anticipated Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness episodic game series will debut on Xbox LIVE(R) Arcade - the premier destination for digitally distributed, high definition original and classic games - in early 2008.
  Date: Sunday, August 26, 2007
  
• BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer) Information for the LAN Parties
  
• PAX 2007 Gallery
  General photos from PAX 2007 in Seattle at the Washington University Convention Center.  Right now we have photos from Friday (Day 1)
  
• Get to Know Your Omeganaughts
  Learn where they're from and what they're doing... like this tasty morsel:
  Hometown: Marshall, Michigan
  Age: 24
  Favorite Game: Guitar Hero
  Worst Game: Mario Kart
  Greatest Accomplishment in Gaming: The first time I played Expert Mode in Guitar Hero I was able to get about a 70,000 score.

Breaking Gaming News, Previews and Exhibitions:

• Telltale and GameTap Announce Sam & Max Season Two
  Sam & Max Season Two follows the highly successful and critically-acclaimed debut that ran from Fall 2006 through Spring 2007. Each episode will premiere exclusively for play on GameTap, followed by a downloadable release on Telltale's website the next day.
• Halo ActionClix Collectible Miniatures Fact Sheet
  The Halo ActionClix collectable miniatures game (CMG) brings the incredible content of the Halo universe to players tabletops via the award-winning Clix miniatures game engine. Players are able to replicate the exciting multiplayer action from all three Halo games using high-quality pre-painted, plastic miniatures of Halo characters and vehicles.
  
  
• FullMetal Alchemist TCG Fact Sheet for Nintendo DS
  A completely accurate translation of the popular Fullmetal Alchemist trading card series by Press Pass, Inc (formerly JoyRide Entertainment), the Fullmetal Alchemist Trading Card Game brings the collectible strategy game to the Nintendo DS with nearly 500 cards, a variety of play modes, and extensive Touch Screen support.
  
• Indianapolis 500 Legends for Wii Fact Sheet
  Fight to the finish in a hand-built speed machine racing 3 inches off the ground at nearly 170 mph through a moving minefield of crashes, spinning cars, rolling tires and 32 rivals on the worlds most famous racetrack in Indianapolis 500 Legends, an arcade-style racing experience set in a dynamic era spanning 1961-1971. Players will experience the traditions, rivalries, terrifying speeds, jaw-dropping maneuvers and infamous events that characterized this historic period at the world-famous Indianapolis 500 race.
• WordJong Fact Sheet (Nintendo DS)
  Scrabble and Mahjong meet to create a hard-to-resist puzzle sensation in WordJong, which has already amassed a fan base around the world with its downloadable and cell phone versions. Now the Nintendo DS version is set to reach a whole new audience with new features and classic, addictive WordJong play for the best version of the popular casual puzzle game yet!
• Homiez Rollers Fact Sheet (Nintendo DS)
  The wildly popular Homies characters take to the streets and in their favorite pimped-out rides in Homie Rollerz, a fast-paced, mayhem laden kart racer for your Nintendo DS! The core play mechanic of Homie Rollerz is Trick Out and Roll Out: Trick out your engine for more horsepower, jack up your hydraulics for more bounce, and customize your car with spoilers and paint jobs for the edge and style youll need to be the best racer on the street!
• John Deere: Harvest in the Heartland Fact Sheet (Nintendo DS)
  Harvest Moon meets SimCity in John Deere: Harvest in the Heartland, a hands-on real-time farming game for the Nintendo DS. The core play mechanic is Sculpt the Heartland Craft virgin soil into a profitable, prize winning, and picturesque farm. Prepare land and livestock to produce goods with which you can profit and purchase John Deere equipment, land, or livestock to improve your farm. Neglect the farm and you will reap what you sow.
• Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness Coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade
  Hothead Games today announced that its highly anticipated Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness episodic game series will debut on Xbox LIVE(R) Arcade - the premier destination for digitally distributed, high definition original and classic games - in early 2008.
  
• Ubisoft Announces CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Hard Evidence for Xbox 360, PC and Wii
  Today, Ubisoft announced that it will be releasing CSI:CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION Hard Evidence for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the Nintendo Wii Fall 2007. This release marks the first time CSI fans will be able to play a CSI video game on the Xbox 360 and Wii. Players will be able to use the Wii Remote to navigate through a crime scene, or experience cinematic-style graphics on the Xbox 360. The user interface has been completely redone with a console audience in mind, making the game more like the show than ever. The PC version of Hard Evidence will ship simultaneously with the Xbox 360 and Wii.
  
• Neverwinter Nights 2 Expansion Hands-On
  Nathan Davis lets me get my hands dirty with the upcoming NN2 Expansion
  
• Fury PvP game
  Auran CEO Tony Hilliam gives me a hands-on tour of this new FPS/MMO hybrid
  
• Destineer Shows off Nintendo Lineup
  Destineer shows off their new lineup for Wii and Nintendo DS.  They have some puzzle games, Homie Rollers, WordJong, new Full Metal Alchemist games, and an Indy 500 game for both Wii and DS.
  
• Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance
  Hands-on preview of the new Supreme Commander expansion
  
• Hands-on with Penny Arcade Episode 1: Rainslick Precipice
  
• The RoosterTeeth Booth
  The guys that bring you Red vs. Blue
  
• Namco Bandai has new games and peripherals
  I get some one-on-one time with the guys at Namco Bandai who are showing off their new games and accessories, like the new light gun for TimeShift.
  
• Telltale Games - Sam & Max Season 2 and CSI
  Telltale shows off Sam & Max Season 2 for PC and the CSI games for consoles (PC, Wii, and Xbox 360)
  
• The Goblin Game Preview from Wizards of the Coast
  The Goblin Game has progressed alot since last year, and we have a preview
  
• New PSP Lite Shown Off
  Some hot booth babes show off the new PSP Lite
  
• Wizards Showcases Digital Games at PAX
  This year Wizards of the Coast is spotlighting announcements including the Masters Edition expansion for Magic Online, single sign in for all WotC digital initiatives including Gleemax, as well as Dungeons & Dragons staff on hand to answer questions to the 4th Edition D&D reveal and D&D InsiderTM announcement made at Gen Con.
  
• The latest from Telletale games
  OCMS is meeting with Telltale games, makers of the new Sam & Max Serials
  
• Pirates of the Burning Sea info
  The latest of the new piratey MMORPG.  Not only was one of my friends, Jodi Shaw there (in a hot pirate outfit), but they had an awesome T-shirt cannon.  Here's a video:
  
• Godzilla, and Neverwinter Nights 2 Expansion
  Atari is showing off Dragonball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 for the Wii, Godzilla Unleashed for the Wii, and a Neverwinter Nights 2 Expansion for the PC.  These games will be availabe in the fall, right before Christmas, and I'll have a hands-on preview of these games up shortly.
  
• Hothead Games Launches Rainslick.com, the Official Site for Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness
  Hothead Games today announced that www.rainslick.com, the official site for its highly anticipated game title Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, has launched in conjunction with Penny Arcade Expo 2007, the game culture celebration to being held Aug. 24-26 at the Washington State Trade and Convention Center in Seattle.

Forums, Panels, and Parties:

• Penny Arcade Panel
  The guys who do Penny Arcade talk about the strip (Friday, August 24, 5:00pm)
  
• Red vs. Blue Panel  (Saturday, 11:30am)
  The team that brings you Red vs. Blue gets on stage and talks about their cult phenomenon
  
• Ubisoft Assassin's Creed Panel (Saturday, 1:00pm)
  Ubisoft fields questions about Assassin's Creed and shows off the game.  Hopefully the babealicious Jessica will be there!
  
• Penny Arcade "Make a Strip" (Saturday, 2:30pm)
  The guys prepare Monday's strip.  Full of laughs and audience participation
  
• Getting a Game Education
  More people are getting into the game industry, and now you need an edu-ma-kashun
  
• Create a Game for Under $10,000
  Fancy yourself a game designer?  Have a wad of cash in your pocket?  Here's how to make a game.
  
• History of Guild Wars
  For those of you who need to know the history of guild wars
  
• Game Design in an Hour
  Everything you wanted to know about game design in a fun-size nugget.
  
• Midway Panel: The Making of Stronghold
  Midway talks about the making of Stronghold... sounds interesting
  
• Wizard of the Coast Panel
  The makers of tabletop games (Magic the Gathering) show off their new stuff
  
• Pitch Your Game Idea
  You have 45 seconds to pitch a game idea to industry professionals... GO!
  

Gaming Events and Tournaments:

• Omegathon
  
• Nintendo DS Lounge
  Gamers from all over hang out in the lounge and socialize and play tournaments.  Lots of girls play the DS, so we'll surely bring you pix of hot gamer babes.
  
• LAN Party Tournaments
  The guys from LanpartyNW are running the LAN party tournaments.  World of Warcraft, Battlefield 2,  Counter-Strike: Source, Half-Life 2: DM, and more
  
• Guitar Hero 2 Tournaments
  That's right... guitar hero 2
  
• PC vs. Console