



[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Gamasutra and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource GamesPress.]

SEATTLE – AUG. 15, 2019 – PAX West, the largest gaming event on the West Coast, will welcome Gary Whitta, the award-winning writer of films, books, comics, and games, to deliver this year’s opening “Storytime” keynote on Friday, Aug. 30 at 10:00 AM in the Main Theater. Limited quantities of Friday and Monday badges for PAX West 2019 are still available. Whitta came to prominence in Hollywood as the writer behind Denzel Washingtonfilm The Book of Eli and co-writer of After Earth, starring Will Smith. Whitta is a regular contributor to the Star Wars universe, penning Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, being a staff writer for Star Wars: Rebels seasons three and four, and writing the comic adaptation of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Beginning his career in the world of video games, Whitta was one of the most influential games journalists as the medium exploded into a cultural phenomenon during the 1980s and 1990s. He helped establish PC Gamer, one of the most influential and longest-running gaming magazines, and served as Editor-in-Chief of the publication’s American branch from 1994 to 2000. Whitta also has written and crafted video game narratives, contributing to the BAFTA award-winning Telltale’s The Walking Dead series, Prey, and Halo 5: Guardians, among many other titles. Whitta continues to be a prominent commentator on video games as a regular co-host on the popular YouTube channel and podcast, Kinda Funny Games Daily. “Nobody has a résumé quite as extensive and prestigious as Gary Whitta’s. Every time I hear about some cool new project in the works, it seems like he’s involved in it in some way,” said Jerry Holkins, co-founder, Penny Arcade. “We’re honored that he somehow found time in his busy schedule to open up PAX West this year and look forward to him kicking off the show.” The international lineup of PAX shows (West, East, South, Aus, Dev, and Unplugged), produced by ReedPOP in conjunction with Penny Arcade, comprise some of the world's largest gaming festivals. PAX events connect the industry's greatest creative minds from across the worlds of both video and tabletop gaming, directly to passionate audiences. For more updates on PAX West 2019, follow PAX on Twitter, Facebook, andInstagram. PAX PAX or Penny Arcade Expo is a festival for gamers to celebrate gaming culture. First held in Seattle in 2004, PAX has nearly doubled in size each successive year, with PAX Prime 2014 selling out of tickets in a matter of minutes. Connecting the world's leading game publishers with their most avid and influential fans, PAX expanded with a second show in Boston in 2010 and a third in San Antonio in 2015, making it the three largest gaming shows in North America. The first international PAX was held in Melbourne, Australia in 2013. In 2017, Penny Arcade established PAX Unplugged, its first tabletop focused show, held in Philadelphia. ReedPOP ReedPOP is a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions – the world’s leading event organizer. Launched in 2006, the group has become the number one producer of pop culture events across the globe as well as a full-service digital content provider and media company. Delivering once-in-a-lifetime fan experiences curated specifically for localized audiences, ReedPOP currently features events in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, India, Africa, and Australia, including: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), PAX West, East, South, and Australia, Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC), MCM Comic Con, BookCon, Oz Comic Con, EGX, Comic Con India, Comic Con Paris, Comic Con Seoul, Comic Con Africa, Star Wars Celebration, and ComplexCon. ReedPOP also runs and operates Gamer Network and its portfolio of leading gaming websites including Eurogamer, RockPaperShotgun, and GamesIndustry.biz. About Penny Arcade Penny Arcade has been the world’s most popular webcomic for over 20 years, with over 3.5 million readers. Started in 1998 in the living room of Mike Krahulik & Jerry Holkins, it has grown into a media empire encompassing multiple beloved properties such as Lookouts, Automata, and beloved D&D live-play series Acquisitions Incorporated. Penny Arcade was responsible for the creation of Child’s Play, a gaming charity that has raised over $45 million dollars for children across the world. They are also the founders of PAX, the number one consumer gaming festival in North America, with hundreds of thousands of loyal visitors every year. Media Contacts Kyle M. Burleson / Carter Dotson Stride PR for ReedPOP [email protected] / [email protected]