From TechNewsWorld.com:

[QUOTE]The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) focuses on the gaming industry and its media, and the Game Developers Conference revolves around ... well, developers. However, the Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle is all about those who, in the words of one PAX official, "pay the salaries."

Gamers really do rule at PAX. Despite a recession that has started slashing away at industry revenues, the fifth edition of PAX on Sept. 4 through 6 pre-sold so many one- and three-day passes to the public that for the first time in its brief history, show officials had to shut down registration before the doors to the cavernous Washington State Convention Center even opened. The crowd estimate: approximately 70,000 strong.[/QUOTE]

Full article and Hal Halpin's comments can be found [URL=http://www.technewsworld.com/story/PAX-09-For-the-Gamers-By-the-Gamers-68101.html?wlc=1252948956&wlc=1253222950]here[/URL].