PAX South 2017 just kicked off in San Antonio Texas today, offering gaming fans loads of tabletop and video gaming experiences.
Over the years PAX has gotten bigger and bigger spreading out from its Seattle, WA roots to add shows in Boston, Melbourne Australia and San Antonio, Texas. Now they are expanding again, but this time they are trying something a little different.
This November (17th – 19th) Penny Arcade and ReedPOP will be launching the first-ever tabletop gaming focused event, PAX Unplugged at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
So What is PAX Unplugged?
According to the show’s organizers, “PAX Unplugged will take all the elements that have drawn millions of gamers to PAX – the chance to play and see the reveal of highly anticipated upcoming games, attend game-inspired music concerts, participate in tournaments and watch panels with industry leaders – but with a renewed focus on fostering the best event for the burgeoning tabletop gaming community.
PAX Unplugged will be a destination for attendees to share their common passions and socialize over board, card and other tabletop games, which have experienced a renaissance in recent years.”
“With the rise of popularity of board games, we wanted to provide a dedicated space where fans can come together,” said Jerry Holkins, co-founder, Penny Arcade. “We will continue to have tabletop games at every PAX, but Unplugged will focus on stepping away from the TV, monitor and phone to foster face-to-face multiplayer experiences.”
I personally think this sounds like it will be an awesome new event for tabletop gaming community. I love spending time in the Tabletop area during PAX East and to have another tabletop gaming offering here on the East Coast will be fantastic. The only downside I can see is that it does appear that PAX Unplugged show is likely to conflict with very popular BGGCon held in Dallas, so if you are a consumer, publisher or designer who traditionally attends that show, some tough decisions may need to be made.
If you are interested in attending the inaugural PAX Unplugged, badges will go on sale this Spring.
Keep an eye on http://unplugged.paxsite.com/ for more details.
