The PAX (Penny Arcade Expo) Prime 2013 video game trade show kicks off at Seattle’s Washington State Convention Center this weekend, with all the big names in gaming (yes, even Nintendo!) turning up to flaunt their wares and give gamers the chance to play upcoming titles as well as get some hands-on time with their newest hardware. Sony, however, appears to be taking this opportunity to throw its weight around and recently published the absolutely enormous list of games they’re taking to the show, which goes some way to explaining why the company is commandeering most of the south-west corner of the show floor.
Published on the official PlayStation Blog, Sony’s list is impressive to say the least, with all three of the company’s hardware platforms getting plenty of love.
Playable PlayStation 4 titles:
- Killzone: Shadow Fall
- inFAMOUS Second Son
- DRIVECLUB
- Knack
- Octodad: Dadliest Catch
- Hohokum
- Warframe
- Contrast
- Blacklight: Retribution
- Resogun
Playable on PlayStation 3:
- Batman: Arkham Origins
- Beyond: Two Souls
- CounterSpy
- Diablo III
- DiveKick
- Gran Turismo 6
- Puppeteer
- Rain
- Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus
But it’s the company’s handheld platform, PlayStation Vita, that’s really coming out swinging, with a whopping 20 games available to play at the show.
- Killzone: Mercenary
- Tearaway
- Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate
- Fez
- Spelunky
- Doki Doki Universe
- Hohokum
- Flower
- Kickbeat
- Dragon Fantasy Book II
- Terraria
- Lone Survivor
- Metrico
- Luftrausers
- Proteus
- Atomic Ninja
- BIT.TRIP Presents Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien
- Rayman: Legends
- TxK
- Real Boxing
Sony also tells us that 2,000 attendees (500 per day) will receive a special “PlayStation 4 passport“, which will entitle them to win prizes during the weekend, with many gamers walking away with copies of the games they played at the event.
▼ Want. So very, very want.
But wait, there’s more! Giving us a chance to rest our already RSI-addled joints, a number of panel discussions will take also place during the four-day event. And these aren’t just some “let’s talk about how wonderful our new hardware is blah blah blah” staged talks, either; the developers from games such as the stunning The Last of Us and forthcoming PS4 title InFAMOUS Second Son will be around to offer insights and take questions from the floor. Though we can’t help wondering how much the former title’s controversial ending will be the subject of discussion during that particular talk…
Check this little lot out, direct from PlayStation Blog:
Pitching The Last of Us
Panel: Neil Druckmann [Creative Director, Naughty Dog], Bruce Straley [Game Director, Naughty Dog], Arne Meyer [Community Strategist, Naughty Dog]
Date: Friday, August 30
Time: 2:00 – 3:00pm
Location: Pegasus Theatre
Description: Join Creative Director Neil Druckmann and Game Director Bruce Straley as they tell you how they successfully pitched Naughty Dog and PlayStation to develop and publish The Last of Us.inFAMOUS Second Son – Being superHUMAN in Seattle
Panel: Greg Miller [Executive Editor, IGN], Nate Fox [Game Director, Sucker Punch], Billy Harper [Animation Director, Sucker Punch], Troy Baker [Game Actor, Delsin Rowe], Travis Willingham [Game Actor, Reggie Rowe], Laura Bailey [Game Actor, Unannounced Character]
Date: Friday, August 30
Time: 5:30 – 6:30pm
Location: Kraken Theatre
Description: Sit down with the lead actors of inFAMOUS Second Son and Sucker Punch’s Game and Animation Directors as they provide insight into Delsin’s adventure. See how the real-world city of Seattle has influenced Delsin’s character and serves as the backdrop for this PlayStation 4 exclusive, capturing the city’s culture, neighborhood, music and art. Hear from Troy, Travis and Laura as they discuss how their personal relationships in real life have affected the emotionally charged scenes within Second Son, especially the relationship with his brother, Reggie.Official PlayStation Blogcast Live!
Panel: Sid Shuman [PlayStation], Nick Suttner [PlayStation]
Date: Saturday, August 31
Time: 12:30 – 1:30pm
Location: Pegasus Theatre
Description: Join us for our very first live podcast, farm fresher than ever! All the nerdy game talk and lame puns you’ve come to expect, crowd Q&A, live Mystery Themes with prizes, and much more! Hosts Sid Shuman and Nick Suttner (and a special guest or two!) will be rocking the mic, so come help us make this thing awesome! Bring your PlayStation love and your best Blasto cosplay.Gender Diversity in Games: Where Are All The Believable Female Characters?
Panel: Neil Druckmann [Creative Director, Naughty Dog], Susan O’Connor [Writer, Susan O’Connor Writing Studio], Carolyn Petit [Editor, GameSpot], and Danielle Riendeau [Reviews Editor, Polygon]
Date: Monday, September 2
Time: 2:00 – 3:00pm
Location: Pegasus Theatre
Description: As the videogame entertainment medium matures, why hasn’t its depiction of women matured with it? Many videogames portray their characters within established, and stereotypical, tropes. In particular, most female characters continue to be portrayed in notoriously unrealistic terms both in their appearance and personality, progressing at a slower pace than their male videogame counterparts. Our panel of esteemed developers, writers, and journalists will examine why this continues to be the case, and the challenges facing developers and the videogame market in developing and marketing realistic female characters.The Last of Us Autograph Signings
When: Friday, August 30, 4:00 – 5:00pm
Saturday, August 31, 2:00 – 3:00pm
Where: PlayStation Booth (#212)
Description: Neil Druckmann [Creative Director, Naughty Dog], Bruce Straley [Game Director, Naughty Dog] will be signing posters from The Last of Us at the PlayStation Booth (#212). This is a ticketed signing. Wristbands for each signing will be distributed at the show opening (10am) on the day of each signing. Come to the PlayStation booth early for your best chance to get a wristband. Signing lines will be closed as needed.
If you’re on your way to PAX Prime this year, you’re a very lucky ducky indeed.
Source/images: PlayStation Blog