PAX Unplugged 2024

PAX Unplugged is a tabletop gaming-focused event specifically tailored to lovers of board games, RPGs, miniatures, cards, and more. Featuring thought-provoking panels, a massive expo hall filled with the best publishers and studios, new game demos, tournaments, and a community experience unlike any other. 

From our humble beginnings, PAX has doubled in size each year until it hit venue capacities. At that point, they partnered with Reed Exhibitions and started bringing PAX to other cities around the world including Boston, San Antonio, Philadelphia, and Melbourne, Australia.

Over the years, PAX has evolved with the times: embracing the cutting edge of technology with VR Freeplay, reaching out across the full spectrum of gamers via our Diversity Lounge, and building up immense game libraries for every genre and platform. Despite this, they’ve stayed true to our roots and a pretty surprising amount of what makes PAX what it is today existed way back in 2004. Freeplay, Tournaments, Enforcers, Expo Hall, Concerts, Panels, and the Omegathon…it was all there.  Just, y’know, on a much different scale.

PAX Unplugged came about after realizing that the tabletop sections at the original PAX shows kept growing and growing! The first PAX Unplugged took place November 17-19, 2017.

NEW AND RETURNING SHOW FEATURES!

Concerts – For the first time in Unplugged history, we’re bringing you musicians to boost your charisma points tenfold, and the best part is the concert is included with your badge – no extra ticket required!

Puzzle Room – Join the Co-Operatives and help solve one of their several puzzle room challenges.

LARP – Looking to take your roleplaying experience to the next level? Try a fully-immersive live-action experience.

Megagames – It’s back! This year we’re partnering with the Megagame Coalition to bring a massive multiplayer game to the PAX peeples!

Indie Games Night Market – Looking for something truly unique? PAX has partnered with New Mill Industries to curate a marketplace for up-and-coming game designers to share small batch, unique games.

Classic Cardboard – A whirlwind of tabletop gaming from the ‘90s on back. Classic Cardboard covers everything from family game night nostalgia to that one old CCG you barely remember.

Community Meetups – Find folks that are looking to trade board games, meet fellow cosplayers, and make new friends at the show with all the meetups taking place over the weekend!

Concerts – For the first time in Unplugged history, we’re bringing you musicians to boost your charisma points tenfold, and the best part is the concert is included with your badge – no extra ticket required!

Crokinole Zone – Our fandom of Crokinole goes back to 2012 when we used the game in the Final Round of our PAX East Omegathon, but we’ve never really had the means to create an entire department dedicated to the quirky Canadian game…UNTIL NOW.

Expo Hall – This is the place to be to see the latest tabletop designers and publishers collected for your enjoyment!

First Look – Learn, play, and shop for the buzziest games from around the world. Most games in First Look have yet to be released in North America, but are imported fresh for PAX.

Games – There are so many games to be played in the PAX Unplugged expo hall so we tried to sort them on a list to help you find them!

Learn & Play – Get your primer on modern board gaming as the hobby’s leading YouTube and podcast personalities teach you their favorite games. Learn how to play, and then enjoy a full session of each game.

Megagames – It’s back! This year we’re partnering with the Megagame Coalition to bring a massive multiplayer game to the PAX peeples!

Miniatures – Welcome to the land of small things! PAX’s Miniatures area is host to many gaming events ranging from casual to competitive.

Omegathon – A mega-tournament spanning the entire length of PAX, this event features games of all platforms and genres. We start with 20 Omeganauts and eliminate players each round until the last 2 compete in the Final Round.

PAX Rising Showcase – The PAX Rising showcase is a curated collection of stand-out indie games selected by the PAX Team and highlighted on the show floor. Be the first to experience them on the rise at PAX!

PAX Together – The gaming community is a wonderfully diverse place and the PAX Together Intersection is meant as a celebration of that. Whether you count yourself among the under-represented, or just want to learn a little more about your friends, the PAX Together Intersection is well worth a visit.

Panels – We strive to elevate all aspects of the culture around gaming, and perhaps nowhere is that more evident than our panels, with the full schedule available about a month prior to each event.

Pin Trading – Pinny Arcade is an ecosystem of pins you can collect or trade with attendees, Enforcers, and staff members throughout PAX. Get started with your collection a variety of ways, including at the Official PAX Merch Booth.

Playtesting – Learn, play, critique, and support upcoming, self-published, and crowdfunded titles, brought to you by the fine folks at UnPub.

Puzzle Room – Join the Co-Operatives and help solve one of their several puzzle room challenges.

RPGS – Continue epic campaigns or embark on a new one in this quieter area dedicated to RPG play. All players welcome, from beginner to expert. Games range from on-demand indie RPGs to organized play sessions for the most popular RPG systems. PAX’s RPG areas also feature loads of freeplay space for pick-up games, organized LARPs, and even a classic RPG library!

Special Guests – A veritable who’s who of personalities from the gaming world can be found at PAX! See them on stage during panels and meet them during scheduled autographing sessions.

Storytime Keynote – The first panel at each PAX has hosted some of the most notable names in gaming!

TCGs & CCGs – Pastimes Events brings your favorite formats to PAX Unplugged!

Tabletop Freeplay – Open seating across hundreds of tables, and a lending library stocked with thousands (literally!) of games we’ve collected over the years. If the huge variety gives you choice paralysis, just ask any of our Enforcers around the Library for suggestions!

The Workshop – Go hands-on to learn all manner of crafting techniques and level up your skills in the miniatures gaming hobby.

Tournaments – PAX features a full schedule of tournaments highlighting games from all genres and platforms. Expect the full schedule about a month before each event.