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{{Other uses|Pax (disambiguation)}}
{{Short description|Series of gaming culture festivals}}
{{Short description|Series of gaming culture festivals}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2018}}
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| status = Active
| status = Active
| genre = Gaming (video game, tabletop, [[Collectible card game|CCG]], role-playing)
| genre = Gaming (video game, tabletop, [[Collectible card game|CCG]], role-playing)
| venue ={{collapsible list
| venue = {{collapsible list
| framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
| framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
| title = Various
| title = Various
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| PAX West:
| PAX West:
| [[Meydenbauer Center]]}}
| [[Meydenbauer Center]]}}
| location ={{collapsible list
| location = {{collapsible list
| framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
| framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
| title = Various
| title = Various
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| [[Melbourne]]
| [[Melbourne]]
| PAX Unplugged:
| PAX Unplugged:
| [[Pennsylvania]]
| [[Philadelphia]]
| PAX West:
| PAX West:
| [[Seattle]]
| [[Seattle]]
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| PAX Unplugged:
| PAX Unplugged:
| November 17–19, 2017}}
| November 17–19, 2017}}
| last = PAX Unplugged:<br>December 2–4, 2022 {{collapsible list
| last = PAX Aus:<br> October 11–13, 2024{{collapsible list
| framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
| framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
| title = Other PAX(s)
| title = Other PAX(s)
⚫
| PAX Aus:
| October 7–9, 2022
| PAX West:
| PAX West:
| August 30–September 2, 2024
| September 2–5, 2022
| PAX East:
| PAX East:
| April 21–24, 2022
| March 21–24, 2024
⚫
| PAX Unplugged:
| December 1–3, 2023
| PAX South:
| PAX South:
| January 17–19, 2020
| January 17–19, 2020
| PAX Dev:
| PAX Dev:
| August 27–28, 2019}}
| August 27–28, 2019}}
| next = PAX East:<br>March 23-26, 2023{{collapsible list
| next = PAX Unplugged:<br> December 6–8, 2024{{collapsible list
| framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
| framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
| title = Other PAX(s)
| title = Other PAX(s)
⚫
| PAX East:
| May 8–11, 2025
| PAX West:
| PAX West:
| August 29–September 1, 2025
| TBA 2023
| PAX Aus:
| PAX Aus:
| TBA 2023
| TBA 2025}}
⚫
| PAX Unplugged:
| TBA 2023}}
| organizer = ''[[Penny Arcade (webcomic)|Penny Arcade]]''<br>[[RELX]]
| organizer = ''[[Penny Arcade (webcomic)|Penny Arcade]]''<br>[[RELX]]
| website = {{URL|www.paxsite.com/}}
| website = {{URL|www.paxsite.com/}}
}}
}}


'''PAX''' (originally known as '''Penny Arcade Expo''') is a series of [[gaming culture]] festivals involving [[Tabletop game|tabletop]], [[Arcade game|arcade]], and [[video game|video gaming]]. PAX is held annually in [[Seattle]], [[Boston]] and [[Philadelphia]] in the United States; and [[Melbourne]] in Australia. PAX was previously held annually in [[San Antonio]] in the United States.
'''PAX''' (originally known as '''Penny Arcade Expo''') is a series of [[gaming culture]] festivals involving [[Tabletop game|tabletop]], [[Arcade game|arcade]], and [[video game|video gaming]]. PAX is held annually in [[Seattle]], [[Boston]], [[Philadelphia]], and [[Melbourne]]. Previously, it was also held in [[San Antonio]].


PAX was originally created in 2004 by [[Jerry Holkins]] and [[Mike Krahulik]], the authors of the ''[[Penny Arcade (webcomic)|Penny Arcade]]'' [[webcomic]], because they wanted to attend a show exclusively for gaming.<ref>{{cite web|title=PAX East History|url=http://east.paxsite.com/what-is-pax|website=PAX East|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301014352/http://east.paxsite.com/what-is-pax|archive-date=March 1, 2016}}</ref> Defining characteristics of the shows include an opening keynote speech from an industry insider, game-culture inspired concerts, panels on game topics, exhibitor booths from both independent and major game developers and publishers, a [[LAN party]] [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]], tabletop gaming tournaments, and video game freeplay areas.
PAX was created in 2004 by [[Jerry Holkins]] and [[Mike Krahulik]], the authors of the ''[[Penny Arcade (webcomic)|Penny Arcade]]'' [[webcomic]], because they wanted to attend a show exclusively for gaming.<ref>{{cite web|title=PAX East History|url=http://east.paxsite.com/what-is-pax|website=PAX East|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301014352/http://east.paxsite.com/what-is-pax|archive-date=March 1, 2016}}</ref> The shows include a keynote speech from an industry insider, game-culture inspired concerts, panels on game topics, exhibitor booths from both independent and major game developers and publishers, a [[LAN party]] [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]], tabletop gaming tournaments, and video game freeplay areas.


== History ==
== History ==
The first PAX, known at the time as the ''Penny Arcade'' Expo, was held on August 28–29, 2004, in [[Bellevue, Washington]], at the [[Meydenbauer Center]], and was attended by approximately 3,300 people. The event was then held annually in August, at the same venue, for the next two years. Attendance grew rapidly, with over 9,000 attendees in 2005, and over 19,000 in 2006. In 2009, Penny Arcade partnered with ReedPOP.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Venables|first=Michael|title=How Pax Became The Biggest, Greatest Fellowship Of Gamers, Geeks And Civility in the World|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelvenables/2013/09/02/how-pax-became-the-biggest-greatest-fellowship-of-gamers-geeks-and-civility-in-the-world/|access-date=2021-09-05|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=September 2021}}
The first Penny Arcade Expo was held on {{start and end dates|2004|8|28|2004|8|29}}, at the [[Meydenbauer Center]], and was attended by about 3,300 people. Renamed PAX, it became an annual event. Attendance grew rapidly, topping 9,000 in 2005 and 19,000 in 2006.


By 2007, the event had outgrown its previous venue, and moved to the [[Washington State Convention and Trade Center]], with a total attendance of 39,000.<ref>{{cite web|last= Magrino |first= Tom |title= PAX 2010 descends on Boston |url= http://www.gamespot.com/news/6197016.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091124114641/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6197016.html |work= Gamespot |publisher= [[CBS Interactive]] |date= August 29, 2009 |archive-date= November 24, 2009 |access-date= September 7, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> Attendance continued to grow to 58,500 in 2008, and 60,750 in 2009, and 70,000 in 2011. The show stopped reporting attendance numbers in 2011, citing difficulties in tracking attendance in a multi-day event.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ellis |first1=Tim |title=How Penny Arcade manages PAX ticket sales – and why your crazy idea to fix them won't work |date=May 13, 2015 |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2015/how-penny-arcade-manages-pax-ticket-sales-and-why-your-crazy-idea-to-fix-them-wont-work/ |publisher=Geekwire |access-date=11 July 2019}}</ref>
Outgrowing the Meydenbauer Center, the event moved to the [[Washington State Convention and Trade Center]], where it drew some 39,000 in 2007,<ref>{{cite web|last= Magrino |first= Tom |title= PAX 2010 descends on Boston |url= http://www.gamespot.com/news/6197016.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091124114641/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6197016.html |work= Gamespot |publisher= [[CBS Interactive]] |date= August 29, 2009 |archive-date= November 24, 2009 |access-date= September 7, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> 58,500 in 2008, 60,750 in 2009, and 70,000 in 2011. The show stopped reporting attendance numbers in 2011, citing difficulties in tracking attendance in a multi-day event.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ellis |first1=Tim |title=How Penny Arcade manages PAX ticket sales – and why your crazy idea to fix them won't work |date=May 13, 2015 |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2015/how-penny-arcade-manages-pax-ticket-sales-and-why-your-crazy-idea-to-fix-them-wont-work/ |publisher=Geekwire |access-date=11 July 2019}}</ref>


In 2009, Penny Arcade partnered with ReedPOP.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Venables |first=Michael |title=How Pax Became The Biggest, Greatest Fellowship Of Gamers, Geeks And Civility in the World |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelvenables/2013/09/02/how-pax-became-the-biggest-greatest-fellowship-of-gamers-geeks-and-civility-in-the-world/ |access-date=2021-09-05 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=September 2021}}
⚫
PAX Prime 2013 was the first four-day PAX and took place from August 30 to September 2, 2013. Passes for PAX Prime 2013 sold out within six hours.


⚫
PAX Prime 2013, the first four-day PAX, was held on {{start and end dates|2013|8|30|2013|9|2}}; passes sold out in six hours.
⚫
===Expansion to additional cities===
⚫
In 2010, Penny Arcade hosted its first event outside of Seattle. PAX East was held in Boston, from March 26–28, 2010, at the [[Hynes Convention Center]]. With an attendance of 52,290, PAX East rivaled the newly dubbed "PAX Prime" in Washington, which saw 67,600 attendees in 2010. This venue was moved to [[Boston Convention and Exhibition Center]] in 2011. An agreement reached in early 2012 committed Boston as the home of PAX East until 2023.<ref>{{cite news |author=Herald Staff |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2012/02/15/pax-east-commits-to-boston-for-10-more-years/ |title=PAX East commits to Boston for 10 more years |work=[[Boston Herald]] |date=February 15, 2012 |access-date=December 8, 2020}}</ref>


⚫
===Expansion to more cities===
⚫
2013 marked the first international expansion for PAX. PAX Australia 2013 was held July 19–21, 2013 at the [[Melbourne Showgrounds]]. The following year it moved to the [[Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre]], where it has been confirmed to remain until at least 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=PAX Australia on Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/paxaus/status/1500984673018990592 |publisher=[[Twitter]] |access-date=March 8, 2022 |date=March 8, 2022}}</ref>
⚫
In 2010, the first PAX East was held at the [[Hynes Convention Center]] on {{start and end dates|2010|3|26|2010|3|28}}, drawing 52,290 attendees. The first PAX Prime drew 67,600 attendees in 2010. PAX East moved to [[Boston Convention and Exhibition Center]] in 2011; a 2012 agreement cemented Boston as the home of PAX East until 2023.<ref>{{cite news |author=Herald Staff |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2012/02/15/pax-east-commits-to-boston-for-10-more-years/ |title=PAX East commits to Boston for 10 more years |work=[[Boston Herald]] |date=February 15, 2012 |access-date=December 8, 2020}}</ref>


⚫
The first international event was PAX Australia, first held {{start and end dates|2013|7|19|2013|7|21}} at the [[Melbourne Showgrounds]]. The following year, it moved to the [[Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre]], where it remains.<ref>{{cite web |title=PAX Australia on Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/paxaus/status/1500984673018990592 |publisher=[[Twitter]] |access-date=March 8, 2022 |date=March 8, 2022}}</ref>
⚫
The first PAX South was held in [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]] at the [[Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center]] on January 23–25, 2015. It set a PAX record for highest attendance for an inaugural year.<ref>[https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/01/26/pax-south-attendance-breaks-records PAX South Attendance Breaks Records]. [[IGN]]. January 25, 2015.</ref> In October 2021, ReedPop announced that PAX South would be discontinued, citing that the event had not seen significant growth since its inaugural edition.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rodriguez|first=Megan|date=2021-10-30|title=PAX South gaming convention in San Antonio canceled for 'foreseeable future'|url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/PAX-South-cancelled-San-Antonio-16577453.php|access-date=2021-10-31|website=San Antonio Express-News|language=en-US}}</ref>


⚫
The first PAX South was held in [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]], at the [[Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center]] on January 23–25, 2015. It set a PAX record for highest attendance for an inaugural year.<ref>[https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/01/26/pax-south-attendance-breaks-records PAX South Attendance Breaks Records]. [[IGN]]. January 25, 2015.</ref> But the event saw little growth in later years, and was cancelled in October 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rodriguez|first=Megan|date=2021-10-30|title=PAX South gaming convention in San Antonio canceled for 'foreseeable future'|url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/PAX-South-cancelled-San-Antonio-16577453.php|access-date=2021-10-31|website=San Antonio Express-News|language=en-US}}</ref>
=== New verticals ===


=== Specialty events ===
⚫
In 2011, Penny Arcade launched PAX Dev, a new event exclusive to the game developer community to "speak freely and focus entirely on their trade".<ref name="PAX Dev FAQs">{{cite web |url=http://dev.paxsite.com/faqs.php |title=PAX Dev FAQs |publisher=dev.paxsite.com |access-date=April 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331161611/http://dev.paxsite.com/faqs.php |archive-date=March 31, 2012 }}</ref> Differentiating itself from other game developer events like [[Game Developers Conference|GDC]], PAX Dev does not allow press. 750 people attended in 2011.


⚫
From 2011 until 2020, Penny Arcade held PAX Dev, an annual event meant to allow the game developer community to "speak freely and focus entirely on their trade".<ref name="PAX Dev FAQs">{{cite web |url=http://dev.paxsite.com/faqs.php |title=PAX Dev FAQs |publisher=dev.paxsite.com |access-date=April 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331161611/http://dev.paxsite.com/faqs.php |archive-date=March 31, 2012 }}</ref> Unlike other game-developer events like [[Game Developers Conference|GDC]], PAX Dev did not allow press. 750 people attended in 2011.
⚫
At PAX South 2017, Penny Arcade and ReedPop announced that a new event type, PAX Unplugged, would be held on November 17–19, 2017 at the [[Pennsylvania Convention Center]], in [[Philadelphia]]. The event was designed as a tabletop-exclusive convention, a gaming segment which was only incidental in other PAXes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://unplugged.paxsite.com/|title=PAX Unplugged - Philadelphia, PA Nov. 17 - 19, 2017|website=unplugged.paxsite.com|access-date=March 14, 2017}}</ref>

⚫
At PAX South 2017, Penny Arcade and ReedPop announced that a new event type, PAX Unplugged, would be held on November 17–19, 2017, at the [[Pennsylvania Convention Center]]. The event focused on tabletop games, a type that was only incidental in other PAXes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://unplugged.paxsite.com/|title=PAX Unplugged - Philadelphia, PA Nov. 17 - 19, 2017|website=unplugged.paxsite.com|access-date=March 14, 2017}}</ref>


=== Name of PAX in Seattle ===
=== Name of PAX in Seattle ===


PAX was originally known as the "Penny Arcade Expo," a Seattle-only event, but quickly became known by its acronym "PAX". As part of an expansion into new cities, Seattle's PAX was renamed "PAX Prime" in 2010. On November 18, 2015, it was silently confirmed that PAX Prime was being renamed to ''PAX West''.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|last1=Khoo|first1=Robert|title=Robert Khoo on Twitter: "@skelevader b/c if i make an announcement people will read too much into it. Besides, press releases are lame. PAX WEST FOR LIFE."|url=https://twitter.com/rkhoo/status/667122653820542976|website=Twitter|access-date=February 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160226054359/https://twitter.com/rkhoo/status/667122653820542976|archive-date=February 26, 2016|url-status=live|date=November 18, 2015}}</ref>
PAX was originally known as the "Penny Arcade Expo", but quickly became known by its acronym "PAX". Seattle's PAX was renamed PAX Prime in 2010 and PAX West in 2015.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|last1=Khoo|first1=Robert|title= @skelevader b/c if i make an announcement people will read too much into it. Besides, press releases are lame. PAX WEST FOR LIFE. |url=https://twitter.com/rkhoo/status/667122653820542976|website=Twitter|access-date=February 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160226054359/https://twitter.com/rkhoo/status/667122653820542976|archive-date=February 26, 2016|url-status=live|date=November 18, 2015}}</ref>


== Activities ==
== Activities ==
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=== The Omegathon ===
=== The Omegathon ===


Each PAX features an event called the "Omegathon," a festival-long tournament consisting of a group of randomly selected attendees competing in a game bracket for a grand prize (which has varied from a large game bundle, to a trip to Japan, to a trip to any PAX in the world). The final round of the Omegathon makes up part of the closing ceremonies of PAX. Past games for the final round of the Omegathon have included ''[[Tetris]]'', ''[[Pong]]'', ''[[Halo 3]]'', and [[skee-ball]].
Each PAX features an event called the "Omegathon", a festival-long tournament consisting of a group of randomly selected attendees competing in a game bracket for a grand prize (which has varied from a large game bundle, to a trip to Japan, to a trip to any PAX in the world). The final round of the Omegathon makes up part of the closing ceremonies of PAX. Past games for the final round of the Omegathon have included ''[[Tetris]]'', ''[[Pong]]'', ''[[Halo 3]]'', and [[skee-ball]].


=== Enforcers ===
=== Enforcers ===


Early PAXes were largely run by a large group of volunteers, which the show calls "Enforcers". Now a paid role, most Enforcers are still not professional conference organizers or temps, but rather selected from an application available to attendees on the PAX website.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://west.paxsite.com/enforcers |title=Enforcers - PAX West |publisher=PAX |access-date=11 July 2019}}</ref>
Early PAXes were largely run by a large group of volunteers, which the show calls "Enforcers". Now a paid role, most Enforcers are still not professional conference organizers or temps, but rather selected from an application available to attendees on the PAX website.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://west.paxsite.com/enforcers |title=Enforcers - PAX West |publisher=PAX |access-date=11 July 2019 |archive-date=July 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711083616/https://west.paxsite.com/enforcers |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Events==
==Events==
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===Active PAX Events===
===Active PAX Events===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="90" style="text-align:left">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="90" style="text-align:left">
File:Logo_of_PAX_West.svg|PAX West (Formerly PAX Prime) has been held annually in [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], [[United States]] since 2004.
File:Logo of PAX West.svg|PAX West (Formerly Penny Arcade Expo, then PAX and later PAX Prime) has been held annually in [[Seattle]], Washington, United States, since 2004.
File:Logo_of_PAX_East.svg|PAX East has been held annually in [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], [[United States]] since 2010.
File:Logo of PAX East.svg|PAX East has been held annually in [[Boston]], Massachusetts, United States, since 2010.
File:Logo_of_PAX_Aus.svg|PAX Aus has been held annually in [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria, Australia|Victoria]], [[Australia]] since 2013.
File:Logo of PAX Aus.svg|PAX Aus has been held annually in [[Melbourne]], Victoria, Australia, since 2013.
File:Logo_of_PAX_Unplugged.svg|PAX Unplugged has been held annually in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[United States]] since 2017.
File:Logo of PAX Unplugged.svg|PAX Unplugged has been held annually in [[Philadelphia]], Pennsylvania, United States, since 2017.
</gallery>
</gallery>

===Former PAX Events===
===Former PAX Events===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="90" style="text-align:left">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="90" style="text-align:left">
File:Logo_of_PAX_South.svg|PAX South was held annually in [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]], [[United States]] between 2015 and 2020.
File:Logo of PAX South.svg|PAX South was held annually in [[San Antonio]], Texas, United States, between 2015 and 2020.
File:Logo_of_PAX_Dev.svg|PAX Dev was held annually in [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], [[United States]] between 2011 and 2019.
File:Logo of PAX Dev.svg|PAX Dev was held annually in [[Seattle]], Washington, United States, between 2011 and 2019.
File:Logo_of_PAX_Online.svg|PAX Online was held virtually online between 2020 and 2021 due to the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
File:Logo of PAX Online.svg|PAX Online was held virtually between 2020 and 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
</gallery>
</gallery>


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|from=2004
|from=2004
|to=2023
|to=2024
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|PAXEast-boxcolour=#D9272D
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|PAXDev-boxcolour=#02b7ab
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|PAXAus-boxcolour=#f4b223
|PAXAus-boxcolour=#f4b223
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|PAXSouth-boxcolour=#ee5b00
|PAXSouth-boxcolour=#ee5b00
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|PAXUnplugged-boxcolour=#904799
|PAXUnplugged-boxcolour=#904799
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|PAXOnline-boxcolour=#02bb72
|PAXOnline-boxcolour=#02bb72
|PAXOnline-border=none;border:2px solid #02bb72
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|row1=timeline
|row1=timeline
|row1-style=styleDefault
|row1-style=PAXWest
|row1-1-to=2004
|row1-1-text=PAX
|row1-2-text=PAX West
|row1-1-to=2010
|row1-2-to=2020
|row1-2-text=PAX Prime
|row1-2-style=PAXWest
|row1-2-to=2015
|row1-3-to=2021
|row1-3-text=PAX West
|row1-4-to=2023
|row1-3-to=2020
|row1-4-style=PAXWest
|row1-4-to=2021
|row1-4-style=styleDefault

|row1-5-from=2021


|row2=timeline
|row2=timeline
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|row2-2-style=PAXEast
|row2-2-style=PAXEast
|row2-3-to=2022
|row2-3-to=2022
|row2-4-to=2023
|row2-4-from=2022
|row2-4-style=PAXEast
|row2-4-style=PAXEast


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|row4-2-style=PAXAus
|row4-2-style=PAXAus
|row4-3-to=2022
|row4-3-to=2022
|row4-4-to=2023
|row4-4-from=2022
|row4-4-style=PAXAus
|row4-4-style=PAXAus


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|row6-2-style=PAXUnplugged
|row6-2-style=PAXUnplugged
|row6-3-to=2021
|row6-3-to=2021
|row6-4-to=2023
|row6-4-from=2021
|row6-4-style=PAXUnplugged
|row6-4-style=PAXUnplugged


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|row7-style=styleDefault
|row7-style=styleDefault
|row7-1-to=2020
|row7-1-to=2020
⚫
|row7-2-text=PAX Online
|row7-2-to=2022
|row7-2-to=2022
⚫
|row7-2-text=PAX Online
|row7-2-style=PAXOnline
|row7-2-style=PAXOnline



|row8=scale
|row8=scale

|caption=Timeline of PAX Events 2004 - 2022
|caption=Timeline of PAX Events 2004 - 2024
}}
}}


==See also==
==See also==
⚫
* [[DreamHack]]
* [[E3]]
* [[E3]]
* [[China Digital Entertainment Expo & Conference|ChinaJoy]]
* [[China Digital Entertainment Expo & Conference|ChinaJoy]]
⚫
* [[DreamHack]]


==References==
==References==
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{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:PAX (event)]]
[[Category:Conventions in Australia]]
[[Category:Annual events in Boston]]
[[Category:Conventions in Boston]]
[[Category:Conventions in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Culture of Seattle]]
[[Category:Culture of Seattle]]
[[Category:Esports tournaments]]
[[Category:Esports tournaments]]
[[Category:Festivals in Melbourne]]
[[Category:Festivals in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Festivals in Seattle]]
[[Category:Festivals in Seattle]]
[[Category:Gaming conventions]]
[[Category:Gaming conventions]]
[[Category:Video game conventions]]
[[Category:LAN parties]]
[[Category:LAN parties]]
[[Category:Multigenre conventions]]
[[Category:Multigenre conventions]]
[[Category:Penny Arcade (webcomic)|Expo]]
[[Category:Penny Arcade (webcomic)|Expo]]
[[Category:Recurring events established in 2004]]
[[Category:Recurring events established in 2004]]
[[Category:2004 establishments in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Seattle Area conventions]]
[[Category:Seattle Area conventions]]

Latest revision as of 12:26, 12 November 2024

For other uses, see Pax (disambiguation).

PAX
StatusActive
GenreGaming (video game, tabletop, CCG, role-playing)
Venue
Various
Location(s)
Various
CountryUnited States
Australia
InauguratedPAX West:
August 28–29, 2004
Other PAX(s)
  • PAX East:
  • March 26–28, 2010
  • PAX Dev:
  • August 24–25, 2011
  • PAX Aus:
  • July 19–21, 2013
  • PAX South:
  • January 23–25, 2015
  • PAX Unplugged:
  • November 17–19, 2017
Most recentPAX Aus:
October 11–13, 2024
Other PAX(s)
  • PAX West:
  • August 30–September 2, 2024
  • PAX East:
  • March 21–24, 2024
  • PAX Unplugged:
  • December 1–3, 2023
  • PAX South:
  • January 17–19, 2020
  • PAX Dev:
  • August 27–28, 2019
Next eventPAX Unplugged:
December 6–8, 2024
Other PAX(s)
  • PAX East:
  • May 8–11, 2025
  • PAX West:
  • August 29–September 1, 2025
  • PAX Aus:
  • TBA 2025
Organized byPenny Arcade
RELX
Websitewww.paxsite.com

PAX (originally known as Penny Arcade Expo) is a series of gaming culture festivals involving tabletop, arcade, and video gaming. PAX is held annually in Seattle, Boston, Philadelphia, and Melbourne. Previously, it was also held in San Antonio.

PAX was created in 2004 by Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik, the authors of the Penny Arcade webcomic, because they wanted to attend a show exclusively for gaming.[1] The shows include a keynote speech from an industry insider, game-culture inspired concerts, panels on game topics, exhibitor booths from both independent and major game developers and publishers, a LAN party multiplayer, tabletop gaming tournaments, and video game freeplay areas.

History

[edit]

The first Penny Arcade Expo was held on August 28–29, 2004 (2004-08-28 – 2004-08-29), at the Meydenbauer Center, and was attended by about 3,300 people. Renamed PAX, it became an annual event. Attendance grew rapidly, topping 9,000 in 2005 and 19,000 in 2006.

Outgrowing the Meydenbauer Center, the event moved to the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, where it drew some 39,000 in 2007,[2] 58,500 in 2008, 60,750 in 2009, and 70,000 in 2011. The show stopped reporting attendance numbers in 2011, citing difficulties in tracking attendance in a multi-day event.[3]

In 2009, Penny Arcade partnered with ReedPOP.[4][better source needed]

PAX Prime 2013, the first four-day PAX, was held on August 30 – September 2, 2013 (2013-08-30 – 2013-09-02); passes sold out in six hours.

Expansion to more cities

[edit]

In 2010, the first PAX East was held at the Hynes Convention Center on March 26–28, 2010 (2010-03-26 – 2010-03-28), drawing 52,290 attendees. The first PAX Prime drew 67,600 attendees in 2010. PAX East moved to Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in 2011; a 2012 agreement cemented Boston as the home of PAX East until 2023.[5]

The first international event was PAX Australia, first held July 19–21, 2013 (2013-07-19 – 2013-07-21) at the Melbourne Showgrounds. The following year, it moved to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, where it remains.[6]

The first PAX South was held in San Antonio, Texas, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on January 23–25, 2015. It set a PAX record for highest attendance for an inaugural year.[7] But the event saw little growth in later years, and was cancelled in October 2021.[8]

Specialty events

[edit]

From 2011 until 2020, Penny Arcade held PAX Dev, an annual event meant to allow the game developer community to "speak freely and focus entirely on their trade".[9] Unlike other game-developer events like GDC, PAX Dev did not allow press. 750 people attended in 2011.

At PAX South 2017, Penny Arcade and ReedPop announced that a new event type, PAX Unplugged, would be held on November 17–19, 2017, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The event focused on tabletop games, a type that was only incidental in other PAXes.[10]

Name of PAX in Seattle

[edit]

PAX was originally known as the "Penny Arcade Expo", but quickly became known by its acronym "PAX". Seattle's PAX was renamed PAX Prime in 2010 and PAX West in 2015.[11]

Activities

[edit]

PAX consists of the following activities:[12]

  • Freeplay, further broken into: Console, Classic Console, Handheld, PC, VR, and Tabletop.
  • Tournaments, further broken into: Console and Tabletop. Some PAXes feature additional tournaments hosted by vendors.
  • "Bring Your Own Computer" or BYOC, a LAN Party.
  • Panels, talks, signings, and similar events.
  • Concerts.
  • PAX Arena, an eSports tournament.
  • The Omegathon.
  • An Exhibition Hall, which includes game studios, merchandise, and the Indie Megabooth.

The Omegathon

[edit]

Each PAX features an event called the "Omegathon", a festival-long tournament consisting of a group of randomly selected attendees competing in a game bracket for a grand prize (which has varied from a large game bundle, to a trip to Japan, to a trip to any PAX in the world). The final round of the Omegathon makes up part of the closing ceremonies of PAX. Past games for the final round of the Omegathon have included Tetris, Pong, Halo 3, and skee-ball.

Enforcers

[edit]

Early PAXes were largely run by a large group of volunteers, which the show calls "Enforcers". Now a paid role, most Enforcers are still not professional conference organizers or temps, but rather selected from an application available to attendees on the PAX website.[13]

Events

[edit]
Main article: List of PAX events

Active PAX Events

[edit]
  • PAX West (Formerly Penny Arcade Expo, then PAX and later PAX Prime) has been held annually in Seattle, Washington, United States, since 2004.
    PAX West (Formerly Penny Arcade Expo, then PAX and later PAX Prime) has been held annually in Seattle, Washington, United States, since 2004.
  • PAX East has been held annually in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, since 2010.
    PAX East has been held annually in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, since 2010.
  • PAX Aus has been held annually in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, since 2013.
    PAX Aus has been held annually in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, since 2013.
  • PAX Unplugged has been held annually in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, since 2017.
    PAX Unplugged has been held annually in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, since 2017.

Former PAX Events

[edit]
  • PAX South was held annually in San Antonio, Texas, United States, between 2015 and 2020.
    PAX South was held annually in San Antonio, Texas, United States, between 2015 and 2020.
  • PAX Dev was held annually in Seattle, Washington, United States, between 2011 and 2019.
    PAX Dev was held annually in Seattle, Washington, United States, between 2011 and 2019.
  • PAX Online was held virtually between 2020 and 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    PAX Online was held virtually between 2020 and 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Timeline of PAX Events

[edit]
PAX
PAX Prime
PAX West
PAX East
PAX Dev
PAX Aus
PAX South
PAX Unplugged
PAX Online
│
2004
│
2005
│
2006
│
2007
│
2008
│
2009
│
2010
│
2011
│
2012
│
2013
│
2014
│
2015
│
2016
│
2017
│
2018
│
2019
│
2020
│
2021
│
2022
│
2023
│
2024
Timeline of PAX Events 2004 - 2024

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "PAX East History". PAX East. Archived from the original on March 1, 2016.
  2. ^ Magrino, Tom (August 29, 2009). "PAX 2010 descends on Boston". Gamespot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 24, 2009. Retrieved September 7, 2009.
  3. ^ Ellis, Tim (May 13, 2015). "How Penny Arcade manages PAX ticket sales – and why your crazy idea to fix them won't work". Geekwire. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
  4. ^ Venables, Michael. "How Pax Became The Biggest, Greatest Fellowship Of Gamers, Geeks And Civility in the World". Forbes. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  5. ^ Herald Staff (February 15, 2012). "PAX East commits to Boston for 10 more years". Boston Herald. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  6. ^ "PAX Australia on Twitter". Twitter. March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  7. ^ PAX South Attendance Breaks Records. IGN. January 25, 2015.
  8. ^ Rodriguez, Megan (October 30, 2021). "PAX South gaming convention in San Antonio canceled for 'foreseeable future'". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  9. ^ "PAX Dev FAQs". dev.paxsite.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
  10. ^ "PAX Unplugged - Philadelphia, PA Nov. 17 - 19, 2017". unplugged.paxsite.com. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
  11. ^ Khoo, Robert (November 18, 2015). "@skelevader b/c if i make an announcement people will read too much into it. Besides, press releases are lame. PAX WEST FOR LIFE". Twitter. Archived from the original on February 26, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  12. ^ "PAX West 2017 Guidebook". Guidebook. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
  13. ^ "Enforcers - PAX West". PAX. Archived from the original on July 11, 2019. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
[edit]
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