Making the Most of PAX East 2025 | Tips from Schell Games

[{"content":{"text":" I look forward to PAX East every year. I have countless memories of chatting with developers on the expo floor, meeting new friends while testing board games, losing my chill during the Final Fantasy XVI gameplay trailer launch, and laughing during the late-night panels playing Smash or Pass with the D&D Monster Manual . PAX East is special to me, and I want it to be special for you. So I\u2019ve compiled a list of tips and tricks to make the most of your time at the convention. "},"id":"c3bbd8fc-f269-44be-a2cf-9c5439a47fc7","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/m6rqvOSwFsxFtFMm"],"src":"","alt":"Final Fantasy XIV Online premiere at PAX East","caption":"Best. Day. Ever.","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"b33621a0-08c1-4fc3-84c5-8e3796812588","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":" 1. Prioritize Comfort ","customid":""},"id":"904cbb81-6234-4b99-a324-ee54bbebd2aa","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" Comfortable footwear is a non-negotiable. I recommend well-cushioned walking shoes or sneakers that you\u2019ve already broken in. Two years ago, a friend of mine decided to break in his new running shoes at the convention, and his feet had the blisters to prove it. I usually walk about 20,000 (Editor's Note: !!!!) steps a day at PAX East, which doesn\u2019t even count the amount of time you stand in lines for games and food, so comfy shoes are a must. Outside of shoes, there are other things you can bring to make your experience comfortable: "},"id":"7293b0dd-c7d0-478d-aaed-484db0e14017","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"text":" Water bottle: Hydrate or diedrate! Water bottles are so trendy right now, I feel like I\u2019m always seeing people on TikTok battling over which water bottle is the best (spoiler: it\u2019s the Owala Freesip). So bring one of those, preferably one that won\u2019t leak all over the expo hall floor if you drop it, and stay hydrated. Snacks: Outside food is allowed, which means you can stockpile snacks in your hotel room and bring them to refuel throughout the day. Not only will it save you a ton of money, but it\u2019ll also keep you from losing friends because you\u2019re hangry. A Reliable Bag: I once had a drawstring bag break the second I got through security. It wasn\u2019t fun; don\u2019t be me. Bring a bag with straps that won\u2019t dig into your shoulders and seams that can handle a full day romping around the expo hall. Entertainment: This sounds a little silly because you\u2019ll be at a convention and surrounded by games and entertainment. Why would you want to lug a console around in your bag? Well, a lot of PAX is waiting in lines, and that can get boring, so having a Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, or even a Tamagotchi will help to keep the boredom at bay. Plus, there are dedicated calmer areas of the convention center where you can take a break, get away from the crowds, and play your handheld consoles. "},"id":"ecda61a7-e356-4323-9e0f-040af944945d","isHidden":false,"type":"listBlock"},{"content":{"text":" Sometimes the most important thing isn\u2019t knowing what to bring, but it\u2019s knowing what NOT to bring. Here\u2019s a list of things PAX East won\u2019t allow inside the convention center. "},"id":"48341e0c-85b3-48bb-94f1-54fffdf6de99","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/qETAZCVn1uJpL0Vv"],"src":"","alt":"Ali plays Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life at PAX East","caption":"Mt. Dew counts as hydration, right?","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"572d8ec5-9798-4ae4-973f-9b2e26864a8c","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":" 2. Capitalize on Freebies ","customid":""},"id":"6ef5e6aa-4dc8-4bfb-a898-f5c2080ec427","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" I\u2019ll be honest, I overlooked the autograph sessions in the past. I assumed that I\u2019d have to pay to have something signed by my favorite voice actors, or at the very least that I\u2019d be forced into purchasing some poster that was already pre-signed. That\u2019s not the case at all! You can meet your favorite streamer, podcaster, or voice actor completely for free. Just check the autograph schedule , show up no earlier than 30 minutes before, and meet the guest. The PAX community is amazing, and if there\u2019s one thing that they\u2019re very passionate about, it\u2019s free swag. Every year, Reddit user MegaFerret777 puts together a full list of free stuff you can snag at the convention. Check out the list and make sure to upvote this fantastic person\u2019s efforts. "},"id":"0a3e4bda-9714-4f67-9a53-86665407221c","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":" 3. An App Worth Downloading ","customid":""},"id":"9d126a8f-49ac-46f5-bd0b-75ff7db38508","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" I hate downloading apps. If a restaurant or service demands that I download an app, I will leave and go somewhere else. However, the PAX app is super helpful . No matter how many times I attend this convention, I always forget the locations of the theatres and stages. Plus, they also have handy keys to help you find ATMs, bathrooms, and XP stops. Outside of navigation, the app is also handy to see what\u2019s next on the schedule and which games and studios are a part of the expo hall. Activating your badge through the app will also let you participate in PAX Arcadia, which is a scavenger hunt, and PAX XP , which enters you into raffles for PC towers, controllers, and other cool stuff. "},"id":"6b9c294d-5ed0-4c12-a63e-1e62992894b9","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/1tTWzlrhkIZkip4n"],"src":"","alt":"PAX East competitive streamers","caption":"Don't want to miss must-see events? Get the app!","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"1e420436-d2bb-4aac-9d60-38160382c91b","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":" 4. Remember Your Quest ","customid":""},"id":"bfb9c47b-813e-4148-9364-79fcb6d218dd","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" If you want to visit an exhibitor to pick up some freebies, but you know they\u2019re likely going to have a two-hour line that you simply can\u2019t wait in because you\u2019re booked up with panels, then you\u2019re going to need to strategize. Thursday is the calmest day of the show, and Saturday is always the most packed, so if you hit the hall early on Thursday, then you have a good shot of getting to that exhibitor. I once swore to myself that I would wake up early and make it over to the Pok\u00e9mon booth to pick up some free cards. But every day, I never woke up early, Enforcers always turned me away because the line was too long, and I never got any cards. Truly a tragedy for the ages! So, learn from my mistakes: remember your quest, don\u2019t deviate from the plan, and get those Pok\u00e9mon cards\u2026or whatever it is that you\u2019re aiming to do at the convention. "},"id":"7a6a3ccb-18b8-4dda-8302-de224fd09790","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":" 5. Don\u2019t Be Afraid to Leave ","customid":""},"id":"32b69aa4-f0de-4654-9730-0188f7c3934b","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" With so much happening at the event, it\u2019s easy to think that you would have FOMO if you left for a bit to nap or explore Boston. Not only do I recommend that you delete that misconception from your brain, but I\u2019m demanding that you leave the convention and go touch grass. Chinatown is close by, and it has delicious meals and desserts that are tastier and cheaper than anything at PAX East. My favorite memory of PAX East 2021 was walking over to Sweet Waffles and Boba to try out their selection of\u2026 well, sweet waffles and boba. Unfortunately, they experienced a water main break and their shop will be closed this year (please consider donating to their GoFundMe) , but there are still a ton of local businesses for you to enjoy away from the overwhelming crowds on a busy Saturday afternoon at the convention center. "},"id":"6edbebad-6aea-4762-acfb-2224d8d481c2","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/QofopuACSsV39Qlu"],"src":"","alt":"","caption":"Get well soon Sweet Waffles and Boba","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"96515ecc-0be6-4b24-ba6f-e4325db4fb30","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":" 6. It Never Hurts to Be Overprepared ","customid":""},"id":"491cc06f-659a-4f95-8529-9d112382f6f8","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" Don\u2019t just take my advice, listen to others too! If you\u2019d like some more tips and tricks, then I recommend reading this comprehensive guide from Elfich47. They do a deep dive on subway suggestions, the best way to pack your bag, accommodations for disabilities, and con etiquette. "},"id":"f8c1a0fb-7237-43df-b8de-b6d5b62e451e","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"embed":{"input":"https:\/\/x.com\/pax\/status\/1917323012191277349","media":{"title":null,"description":null,"url":"https:\/\/twitter.com\/pax\/status\/1917323012191277349","tags":[],"image":null,"feeds":[],"code":" It\u2019s GO TIME: Show Maps are officially live! \ud83d\udea8 Chart your course through the ultimate gaming adventure at #PAXEast . \ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f Dive in now: https:\/\/t.co\/k3b0e1jvxn pic.twitter.com\/me6MHjPyVR — PAX (@pax) April 29, 2025 ","width":550,"height":null,"aspectRatio":null,"authorName":"PAX","authorUrl":"https:\/\/twitter.com\/pax","providerIcon":"https:\/\/abs.twimg.com\/responsive-web\/client-web-legacy\/icon-ios.77d25eba.png","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https:\/\/twitter.com\/","publishedTime":null,"license":null}}},"id":"77c647be-dd20-4c37-95d0-4b6d7f0bf0d8","isHidden":false,"type":"embed"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":" 7. This Is a Multiplayer Experience ","customid":""},"id":"39654bf9-0da2-4038-b49d-2517ae59a9c0","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" I love communities. Sometimes I\u2019ll drive to random towns and attend their community days just because I love seeing how everyone in this town I\u2019ve never heard of before has such a passion and love for their home and the people who live there. I don\u2019t need caffeine when I\u2019m attending events like PAX because the sheer excitement radiating off of everyone is more than enough to keep me going. Enjoy the multiplayer experience that is an event of this magnitude. Bored in line? Remember that you\u2019re attending an event where you\u2019re surrounded by nerds with the same interests as you! Strike up conversations, play board games with strangers in the freeplay area, and chat with indie developers about their games. After the expo hall closes for the day, there are still concerts, panels, and events outside of PAX that you can attend. Being a part of the community is the most rewarding and fun part of the entire event, so enjoy it! "},"id":"2451c6bd-2f49-444d-b70f-1ef8cca10aa8","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":" 8. Look for Schell Games at PAX East ","customid":""},"id":"1dbcae22-6a65-47e7-8910-3b1c66c6296d","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" Yup, we\u2019ll be there! Come hang out at booth 18109 for a chance to play Among Us 3D on PC and VR. If you love the demo, then you can buy the game, get our exclusive pin, and talk with our devs. See you on the expo hall floor! "},"id":"b8f95d28-4047-4825-a03b-ccf99e55b974","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/6aw8d1OLkBPNjjv3"],"src":"","alt":"","caption":"Hey, it's us! Come visit","link":"https:\/\/schellgames.com\/blog\/pax-east-2025","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"0a7a5f7d-325a-45d8-9235-c6b319d7ff3a","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"}]