PAX Unplugged Is Exactly That
Penny Arcade’s PAX Expo has grown into an industry institution, allowing video game fans across the country to experience the kind of game trade shows previously only attendable by members of the press and business insiders. Now PAX is turning its attention to the growing tabletop industry by announcing PAX Unplugged.
Under a partnership with Reed Pop, Penny Arcade will launch the event this November in Philadelphia, The director of events, Ruyan Hartman, told Polygon that his intent is not to “copy-paste” PAX as we know it and just change the products on display. “This is a chance to be able to reinvent the wheel and do some new things. … It’s going to be a PAX, but it’s going to have its own different focus.”
PAX isn’t the first to this party, however. There are already several big tabletop gaming conventions in existence, the biggest of them being GenCon every August. Hartman isn’t bothered and says his interest isn’t to compete with anyone. “Clearly Gen Con is the biggest dog in the park,” he acknowledges.
All we know now is that the show is coming — who will be there hasn’t been determined yet. Right now, Hartman is hard at work securing vendors, hotel rooms and space. We’ll bring you more information on PAX Unplugged as it becomes available.