PAX

PAX, short for Penny Arcade Expo, began in 2004 as a two-day gathering in Bellevue, Washington, organized by webcomic duo Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik. They wanted a convention built entirely around gaming, free from the movie and TV spectacle that dominated industry trade shows. That first event drew a few thousand attendees; two decades later, PAX has become the largest fan-focused gaming convention circuit in North America, with annual events in Seattle, Boston, Philadelphia, and Melbourne, and a rotating cast of pop-up shows.

Each PAX is a multi-day festival of play. The expo hall hosts publishers and indie developers showcasing upcoming titles, while panel rooms fill with discussions on game design, industry trends, and community culture. Keynote speeches have featured figures like Tim Schafer, Todd Howard, and Reggie Fils-Aimé. Beyond the booths, PAX runs LAN parties, tabletop tournaments, freeplay areas stocked with retro and modern games, concerts dedicated to video game music, and cosplay gatherings. The volunteer staff, known as Enforcers, wear bright orange shirts and embody the event's welcoming spirit.

PAX's growth has been steady, though not without bumps. The pandemic forced a pivot to online formats in 2020 and 2021, but in-person events resumed in 2022. PAX Unplugged, focused on tabletop gaming, has gained particular traction as that segment expands. The brand's mantra, "Make friends, play games," reflects its community-first ethos, which has helped it outlast rivals like E3, shuttered in 2023, and remain a cultural touchstone for gamers across generations. [edit]