PAX South: Come For the Atmosphere, Stay For the Atmosphere

If you’re a gamer and you’ve never had the pleasure of attending any of the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) events, you should probably look to rectify that as soon as possible.

This year’s PAX South in San Antonio, Texas builds on the tradition in a very real way, delivering a gaming focused convention that doesn’t care what genre tickles your fancy – they’re all here with amazing representation.

Want to see some of the latest hardware from various computer vendors? Or find out what’s new in tabletop games? Maybe you just want to find out what Nintendo has up their sleeve next. PAX South 2017 answers all of those questions and more (Dell’s Alienware line actually looks like it might not suck any longer, it’s ridiculous how many new table top games there are, and the Nintendo Switch had a 4+ hour wait to demo it.)

But the real focus of the event isn’t the event itself. It’s the people and the community. One of the biggest issues I’ve seen at comic-con type conventions is the ridiculous amount of assumptions of consent due to cosplay. This has gotten so pervasive that Dallas Comic Con last year literally had signs up saying “Cosplay is not consent.” It can make for a wearisome day when that’s the vibe you’re trying to defeat.

PAX does not have that vibe. The PAX vibe is “Hey, we’re in line together and we don’t know each other but let’s play this card/dice game to kill time.” It’s “everyone’s a gamer and that’s awesome.” It’s “you’re new to the community so let’s welcome you.” It’s inclusive, loving and welcoming. All things that every convention should be.

Is there a point to this? Maybe, maybe not. But point yourself over to www.paxsite.com to keep informed as to when the upcoming PAX events are. If you’re a gamer, they’re required attending.”

Chris Grucza is a gamer, nerd, musician. Not always in that order.