By Katey Khaos

With gaming on the rise, there have been multiple conventions held to showcase the latest and greatest in video games and video game technology. PAX East 2011 ~ also known as the Penny Arcade Expo ~ will be hitting Boston on March 11 – 13 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Get ready to lock-n-load, boot-up and get your frag on!

PAX East is a three-day gaming convention dedicated to video game, PC and tabletop gamers. There’s a little something for everyone ~ from the casual gamer to the most hardcore. In addition to showing off the latest in the video game realm, PAX also offers nerdcore concerts featuring musical talents like the Video Game Orchestra, panel discussions and an exhibitor hall featuring game publishers and developers.

A PAX East badge ~ which is your ticket in to the convention ~ will run you $55 dollars for a three day pass. Single day passes are also available for $35. Your badge will get you in anywhere at the convention from the concerts and parties to discussion panels and so much more! Also, there are no age restrictions, so even the smallest gamers can get their game on!

Although there hasn’t been an official announcement as to what exactly will be showcased, previous years have included releases for new games, new content for an existing series, and new gaming technology,

For the past two years, Becker College has held a booth at PAX East. Becker College is ranked #4 in the nation for Game Design by the Princeton Review. The booth is run by Professors Paul Cotnoir and Terrasa Ulm with the help of both video game designers and programming students.  The Becker booth features information about the Game Design program offered at the college as well as actual student work designed throughout the year. The pieces featured include anything and everything from concept art to full-on games.

For PAX East 2011, Becker’s main attraction will be an iPhone game created by Senior Game Programmers Adam DeZago and Shaun Dutton with the help of Professor Terrasa Ulm.

If  you’re looking for an inexpensive, fun and different way to spend your spring break this year, PAX East 2011 definitely falls into those categories ~ even if you’re not a huge gamer … yet!

www.paxsite.com/paxeast/index.php

Pictured: PAX Logo, free play area @ PAX East. & PAX East concert.