The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the gaming world hard in several ways, from delayed games to hardware shortages to the cancellation of in-person events such as Gamescom and E3, with the latter switching to virtual formats. But as vaccines are being rolled out, more people are finding it safer to travel again, and in-person events in general are returning. This includes gaming’s first major in-person event in over a year, as it was announced today that PAX West 2021 is currently set to be held this September again.
Appropriately enough, one of the last major in-person gaming events was PAX East 2020, which was held at the start of March last year before things look a vastly larger turn for the worse. And even that took some blows early on asSony,Capcom, and Square Enixall pulled out or limited their attendance over health and safety concerns, and eventhe traditional Pin Quest was affected.PAX West 2021 isn’t unaffected as well, though, as it will naturally be operating at reduced capacity, and more detailed health and safety guidelines will be released leading up to the event. PAX West 2021 is set to take place from September 3 to September 6, taking place over Labor Day weekend as usual, with badges set to go on sale in the next two weeks at a cost of $230 for a four-day pass and $60 for individual badges.
Outside of these initial details, though, we have no idea what the first in-person PAX could hold. Several publishers and developers may still decide to opt out over safety concerns again, and mainstays like the Indie Megabooth still haven’t announced their return aftertemporarily shutting down last year.PAX West 2021 may be preparing for a comeback, but whether it will do so triumphantly or safely has yet to be seen, so stay tuned to Hardcore Gamer as more details arrive in the coming months. And for those of you understandably choosing to still remain away from potentially crowded events like this for the time being, PAX East Online 2021 will be held virtually from July 15 to July 18,with badges available now.
