PAX EAST 101: New England’s Fully Immersive Gaming Dream Weekend

If you don’t have your PAX weekend tickets yet, you may be out of luck but you can still try to get your badges here for Friday. Tickets start at $72.50 (including fees) and full four day badge is $261. If you love gaming, whether it is tabletop or on screen, PAX East has every category of play represented from A to X. There is: action, adventure, co-op, dice, family-friendly. fighting, first Person, free to play, horror/survival, Indie, JRPG, MMO, mobile, multiplayer, Nintendo Switch, Notebook/Laptop, PC, platformer, PlayStation, RPG, retro, roguelike, sandbox, shooter, single player, strategy, tabletop, third Person, VR, and Xbox. Whatever your Venn diagram of gaming encircles you will find something old and something new that fits neatly into your gaming life. Here are a five things to know before you go.

PAX is a lot of people, a lot of games, and a lot of space. There are plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the whole energy of the convention, but also ways to find a quiet space to recharge your self and your devices.

1-Self Preservation

To fully enjoy PAX, try to show up well rested and well stocked. That means have a water bottle ready to refill throughout the day. Bring whatever you need to re-set yourself throughout the day (a book, some headphones for music, a notepad or sketchbook). The space is large, so wear comfortable shoes for walking around. Snacks and such are a good idea as well. You can purchase some very tasty food on site, but you won’t always have the time or desire to stand in line so have some snacks on hand too.

2-Gear-Up

You will be surrounded with all kinds of gear, more than you may imagine. Some will be available to purchase and others to try out. For the gear you purchase, it is helpful to have a reusable bag (I suggest having a small foldable bag that expands on you at all times in life, but it is especially helpful here). The bag is great for any purchases and swag that you may pick up. In addition to the new things, you will want to have all your chargers and such to get you through a long day at PAX. Be aware of what things should be left at home as well.

4- Have a Plan

If you have not picked up your badges yet, you can pick them up until 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday), Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The expo hall is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, but the show itself has events and activities from 10 a.m. to midnight through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

To make the most of your time, take a look at the map and get a lay of the land. Download the app and make a plan for each day. If there is someone you are especially looking forward to seeing plan ahead and check out their schedule.

5- Let the Plan Go

After you have made as elaborate a plan as you care to, be okay with letting it go or at very least flex a bit. PAX is full of surprises and most fun if you don’t stick to a rigid schedule. Add things in, let things go, and have a symbiotic relationship with it all.

Now get to the convention center and have some fun!