It’s official: PAX East is returning to Boston on April 21-24, 2022.
After a year sidelined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, PAX East is resuming in-person activity at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) for four days of video games demos, panels, and tabletop gaming.
The news comes from show organizers ReedPop and Penny Arcade, who also announced that badges will go on sale “in the coming weeks.” This year’s event will take significant health and safety precautions, including proof of full vaccination status and mandatory masks within the venue.
What Is PAX East?
The largest video game convention on the East Coast, PAX East welcomes tens of thousands of fans annually. It originated as a spin-off of PAX West (formerly PAX Prime), and has since grown into its own marquee event. Past exhibitors have included Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Ubisoft, and Square Enix.
We’ve covered PAX East extensively here at The Punished Backlog. Those who follow us know we’re located predominately on the East Coast, with several of our writers in Boston. So, covering the biggest upcoming games at PAX has become a bit of a tradition.
Curious what we’ve talked about in the past? Here’s a sampling of our previous coverage:
- Top 10 Games of PAX East 2020
- What We Liked, Loved, and Hated About PAX East 2019
- Sparklite Is a Wonderful Mix of The Legend of Zelda and Bastion
- One Step From Eden is a Mega Man: Battle Network Fan’s Dream
- Weekend at Dave’s – PAX East 2019 Edition: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4
- Weekend at Dave’s – Episode 4: Open-World Games, Google Stadia, and PAX East
- Top 10 Indies From PAX East 2017
When Is PAX East 2022?
PAX East 2022 will take place from April 21, 2022 to April 24, 2022. As with recent PAX East events, the show will take place across four days.
Where Is PAX East 2022?
PAX East 2022 will be held in Boston’s seaport district, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC).
Are PAX East Badges on Sale?
As of writing, badges for the show are not yet listed for sale. ReedPop tends to start selling any time from early October to late December.
Your best bet? Bookmark the page and check in regularly. Even if you miss the initial window, odds are you’ll be able to secure tickets in some capacity due to the four-day nature of the event. (Tip: Saturdays do go quickly, however.)
What Games Can I Expect to Play?
That’s anyone’s guess at this point. It’s worth noting that PAX East tends to draw less of a AAA presence than other video game trade shows. Whereas PAX West and San Diego Comic Con have the benefit of sharing a summer with E3—and thus receive many of the same demos—PAX East is an outlier on the industry calendar. Don’t expect major game reveals, and calibrate your “hype” accordingly.
That’s not to say you won’t play great games. PAX East thrives on its buzzing indie presence, and 2021 should be no different. Devolver Digital, Yacht Club Games, Supergiant Games, and other indie studios have demoed titles in the past. Smaller creators have also congregated to show off their passion projects.
What games would you like to see at PAX East 2022? Share your picks in the comments below.
