The organizers of the fifth annual Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) today announced key details of the upcoming gaming festival, to be held Aug. 29-31, 2008 at the Washington State Trade and Convention Center in Seattle.

Noted game designer, screenwriter, and playwright Ken Levine will provide the keynote address. Mr. Levine is currently best known for his work on the critically-acclaimed BioShock, developed by 2K Boston (formerly known as Irrational Games). Mr. Levine is currently President and Creative Director of that development studio, and has been a coveted speaker at game industry-related events, discussing storytelling and player engagement in gaming. "Obviously, Ken is pimp supreme," said Penny Arcade’s Robert Khoo, "We’re super excited to have him open up the show."

Another highlight of PAX is the Omegathon, in which twenty randomly-selected PAX pre-registrants compete against each other in tabletop, videogame and computer games each day of the annual gaming festival. Organizers revealed that this year’s "Omeganauts" will battle for the ultimate prize: a trip for two to the Tokyo Game Show, along with $5,000 in spending cash and an incredible, almost supernatural home theater system. The 2008 Tokyo Game Show will be held Oct. 11-12 at the Makuhari Messe convention center near Tokyo. In Japan.

In addition to the numerous panels and game demonstrations, Omegathon, Exhibition Hall, and The PAX 10 independent games showcase, PAX offers attendees a musical lineup that spans two nights, delivering an uncompromising selection of acts to tantalize the gamer palate. Returning musical guests include MC Frontalot, mc chris, FreezePop, the MiniBosses, Jonathan Coulton, and The OneUps. New for 2008 are Vancouver, B.C.-based Horror Rock outfit The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets, as well as New York City’s bitpop heroes, Anamanaguchi.

As if all of this weren’t enough, PAX organizers further confirmed that this year’s Exhibition Hall is officially sold out, leaving any industry professionals waiting until the last minute to request space with only the option of peddling their wares on the sidewalk outside the festival venue. Exhibitors interested in getting a jump on PAX 2009 can contact Mike Fehlauer at mikef@penny-arcade.com for more information.