SEATTLE -- They're a peculiar sight -- the costumed characters who showed up in downtown Seattle Friday, but walk inside the Washington State Convention Center and you enter a world of fantasy.
"It is growing. It is so huge this year, I was shocked, and so tickets sold out in about six minutes this year," said Stephanie Villanueva, who showed up dressed as Hatsune Miku, a character popular among the tens of thousands of people who are attending the PAX Prime convention, where vendors show off the latest video gaming technology.
This is also where they debut titles which could turn out to be the next hit.
According to the Entertainment Software Association, close to 60% of Americans play video games and they spent more than $21 billion in 2013, roughly double what Americans spent at the box office.
Video gaming is big business, an endless competition for the best consoles, software, accessories and costumes.
"It makes it so much more fun, makes it great when you're in costume that everybody recognizes," said a woman dressed as Lara Croft from Tomb Raider.
PAX Prime runs through Monday. If you didn't get tickets this year, you'll have to wait until 2015.
