2k Games Goes Big at PAX East 2013

2K Games may not be showing anything at PAX East this year, they're still going to be roaming the floor. Well, roaming the floor until it's time for one of their three panels at the show.

The first panel is called "Strategy Masterminds Mega Panel - Behind the Scenes at Firaxis Games" on Saturday, March 23, from 4:30-5:30 PM in the Phoenix Theatre. On hand will be Jake Solomon (Lead Designer, Firaxis), Greg Foertsch (Lead Artist, Firaxis), Ed Beach (Lead Designer, Firaxis), Dennis Shirk (Senior Producer, Firaxis)and the panel will be moderated by Russ Pitts. In the panel, attendees will learn the recipe to making incredible strategy games from the teams behind the critically acclaimed XCOM: Enemy Unknown and the Civilization franchises. And if that's not enough, the panel will also offer the world premiere of the first gameplay for Sid Meier's Civilization V: Brave New World.

The second panel is called "From Shodan to Big Daddies to Elizabeth: The Evolution of an AI Companion with Irrational Games and IGN" takes place Saturday, March 23 from 12:00-1:00 PM in the Phoenix Theatre. Panelists will include Casey Lynch (Head of Brand and Community, IGN), Ken Levine (Creative Director, Irrational Games), Drew Holmes (Writer, Irrational Games), John Abercrombie (Lead Programmer, Irrational Games), Amanda Jeffrey (Level Designer, Irrational Games), Courtnee Draper (Voice Actress) and Heather Gordon (Motion Capture Actress). The panel will offer fans an inside look at the making of Elizabeth, your companion in BioShock Infinite.

Finally, "Inside Gearbox Software," taking place on Sunday, March 24, from 12:30=1:30 PM in the Main Theater. On the panel will be Randy Pitchford (CEO of Gearbox Software), Mikey Neumann (Chief Creative Champion at Gearbox Software), Anthony Burch (Lead Writer for Borderlands 2 at Gearbox Software) and Paul Hellquist (Creative Director for Borderlands 2 at Gearbox Software). Fans will be able to get a behind the scenes look at Gearbox Software and all their favorite Gearbox games including Borderlands 2.

Full panel list below.

Strategy Masterminds Mega Panel - Behind the Scenes at Firaxis Games

Phoenix Theatre: Saturday 3/23 4:30PM-5:30PM

PANELISTS:

Jake Solomon (Lead Designer, Firaxis), Greg Foertsch (Lead Artist, Firaxis), Ed Beach (Lead Designer, Firaxis), Dennis Shirk (Senior Producer, Firaxis), Moderator: Russ Pitts

Why you should attend:

• Learn the recipe to making incredible strategy games from the teams behind the critically acclaimed XCOM: Enemy Unknown and the Civilization franchise
• World premiere of the first gameplay for the recently announced Sid Meier’s Civilization V: Brave New World
• Find out what’s next in line for the XCOM: Enemy Unknown team
• Get your hands on a PAX East exclusive Firaxis Games poster

Inside Gearbox Software

Main Theatre: Sunday 3/24 12:30PM-1:30PM

PANELISTS:

Randy Pitchford (CEO of Gearbox Software), Mikey Neumann (Chief Creative Champion at Gearbox Software), Anthony Burch (Lead Writer for Borderlands 2 at Gearbox Software), Paul Hellquist (Creative Director for Borderlands 2 at Gearbox Software)

Why you should attend: 

• Get a behind the scenes look at Gearbox Software and all your favorite Gearbox games including Borderlands 2.
• Announcement and details on the 6th playable character class
• Discussing additional fun surprises
• Because it’s Borderlands anyway

From Shodan to Big Daddies to Elizabeth: The Evolution of an AI Companion with Irrational Games and IGN

Phoenix Theatre: Saturday, 3/23 12:00PM-1:00PM

PANELISTS:

Casey Lynch (Head of Brand and Community, IGN), Ken Levine (Creative Director, Irrational Games), Drew Holmes (Writer, Irrational Games), John Abercrombie (Lead Programmer, Irrational Games), Amanda Jeffrey (Level Designer, Irrational Games), Courtnee Draper (Voice Actress) and Heather Gordon (Motion Capture Actress)

Why you should attend:

• An inside look into the making of Elizabeth, your companion in BioShock Infinite
• A panel that includes the voice and motion capture actress who brought Elizabeth to life
• Insight from Ken Levine on the evolution of AI companion characters from System Shock 2 and the original BioShock
• Exclusive behind the scenes clips and images