PAX is a three-day game festival for tabletop, videogame, and PC gamers. We call it a festival because in addition to dedicated tournaments and freeplay areas we've got nerdcore concerts, panel discussions, the weekend-long Omegathon event, and an exhibitor hall filled with booths displaying the latest from top game publishers and developers. Even with all this amazing content the best part of PAX is hanging out with other people who know their shit when it comes to games.

The three-day pre-registration rate is $45, which is a $5 discount from the at-the-door price. Details and the pre-registration link can be found here. We'll be mailing pre-reg badges the second week of August, so when you register, make sure to think ahead when you enter your mailing address.

Your PAX badge is all-access, and is good for all events, concerts, parties, panels, and freeplay areas. Only "sealed deck" tournaments, which require new physical product in order to be played, will have any sort of additional fee. You don't have to buy "tickets" for individual activities. Just show up and enjoy the whole festival!

If you've got a group of 10 or more people, feel free to send an email to rkhoo@penny-arcade.com.

Hard to say. The exhibitor hall, freeplay areas, and tournaments are open all three days of PAX. Concerts are Friday and Saturday nights, the final round of the Omegathon is Sunday.

Yes! Check out our hotels page for more details.

Pre-registration packets will be mailed out two weeks before PAX. They'll contain everything you need to walk right into the show--no need to stand in line to buy a ticket, Mr. Proactive.

Nope. But if you're under 13, please make sure your parents know where you are.

The Seattle Tacoma International Airport. The airport code is SEA.

If you've pre-registered, that means you've received your pre-registration packet with the appropriate identification to get you in the door. If you're buying tickets the day-of, just head to the registration desk near the main entrance.

Yes! But you need to pre-register first, so we can reserve your space--don't just show up at the event with a computer under your arm. Bring-your-own-computer registration will take place a few months after general PAX pre-registration opens, and those who pre-register will get first dibs on BYOC slots. So when you pre-register, make sure to register an email ad dress you actually check.

Don't bring anything that would annoy another attendee or set us up for a crazy lawsuit. PAX is not an event run by some giant corporate entity; it's a big party we throw for the gaming community in general and PA readers in particular. Have fun, but be cool.

Your pre-reg packet and badge, comfortable shoes, and ID. PAX is great for just meeting new people and having fun, so consider also bringing your handheld game system, favorite CCG, minis, or tabletop game.

Even with three times the square footage of last year's PAX, over half of the exhibitor floor has already been booked. So get in touch right away by contacting Mike Fehlauer.

The Omegathon is a three-day elimination tournament. Twenty Omeganauts are chosen from those who pre-order PAX passes, and compete in games from every category (tabletop, console, PC) culminating in a live championship match on the big stage during PAX closing ceremonies. The final game is always out of left field: first year was PONG, second year was Atari's COMBAT, third year was Tetris, and last year was Halo 3. The grand prize is equally ridiculous; last year's prize was an all expenses paid trip to Japan for Tokyo Game Show 2007.