The gaming world turns its eyes to Boston this weekend as PAX East 2025 lights up the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center from May 8–11. One of the most beloved events in gaming, PAX East is more than just a convention—it’s a cultural moment, bringing together thousands of fans, developers, creators, and industry icons to celebrate all things gaming.
PAX East 2025 Brings Over 280 Exhibitors
This year’s Expo Hall features more than 280 exhibitors ranging from heavy hitters to indie darlings. Names like Larian Studios (Baldur’s Gate 3), The Pokémon Company, Devolver Digital, and FUNCOM (Dune: Awakening) are all in the mix.
One of the weekend’s most buzzworthy attractions? Pearl Abyss is giving fans the first North American hands-on demo of Crimson Desert, a sprawling open-world action-adventure title set to drop later this year on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Mac.
For analog lovers, the Tabletop Expo is a dream, with aisles of board games, card games, and RPG experiences. Whether you’re rolling the dice or flipping the cards, there’s plenty of action off-screen, too.
Panels, Live Shows, and Community Vibes
The weekend’s panel lineup is strong, kicking off with Storytime with Greg Miller, hosted by Final Fantasy XVI’s own Ben Starr. Other can’t-miss events include:
- Gearbox Main Theater Show (Friday)
- Acquisitions Incorporated LIVE! (Saturday)
- The First Descendant Dev Livestream (Sunday)
- Dungeons & Dragons preview of the new “Legends of Greyhawk” campaign.
PAX East Nightlife
When the sun goes down, the energy stays high. PAX East concerts are free with your badge and absolutely worth your time. Here’s the breakdown:
- Thursday: Jonathan Coulton and Paul & Storm bring their iconic gaming-centric comedy rock.
- Friday: Bit Brigade shreds classic NES/SNES soundtracks live while a speedrunner beats the games on stage, opened by the barbershop quartet-meets-BioShock group, BioShop Infinite.
Competitions, Freeplay, Indie Spotlights
You’ll find plenty more to explore beyond the main events. Competitive gamers can hit up PAX Arena for tournaments, while those looking to chill can drop into Console Freeplay, the Handheld Lounge, or community meetups. Don’t skip the PAX Rising Showcase, which always features the next big thing in indie games.
Omegathon is a multi-round mystery competition where randomly selected attendees go head-to-head in games across generations. You never know what games they’ll play or whose going to take the stage by storm.
PAX East: Know Before You Go
- Location: Boston Convention & Exhibition Center – 415 Summer St, Boston, MA
- Dates: May 8–11, 2025
- Expo Hours: 10 AM–6 PM daily
- Badge Required: All concerts and events are included with entry
- Download the PAX Nav app to stay on top of the schedule, maps, and last-minute updates.
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Feature Image Credit: Branden Skeli (@branden_skeli) | Unsplash Photo Community
