Last year, I brought you a recap of PAX Unplugged 2021. PAX is a series of conventions focusing on gaming of all types. PAX Unplugged is the version of the event that focuses on analog gaming: board games, tabletop role-playing games, and miniature games to name just a few. This year, Room Escape Artist is going back to Philadelphia, and we’re taking over the stage.
Key Information
- Date: Friday, December 2 to Sunday, December 4, 2022
- Venue: Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA
- Price: Daily badges are $37 per day; a three-day badge costs $78
- PAX Unplugged is a masked event and entry requires proof of vaccination.
The Panel
The PAX schedule is always jam-packed with tournaments, workshops, demos, and discussion. If you’re heading there this year, make sure to leave time on Friday evening for a panel moderated by REA’s David Spira:
Title: Games You Only Play Once: What Puzzles Bring to the Table
The presenters are some of the stars of the play-at-home puzzle gaming genre:
- Lisa Spira (Room Escape Artist)
- Rita Orlov (PostCurious) (Reviews)
- Jack Fallows (Cryptogram Puzzle Post) (Review)
- Michelle Rundbaken (Society of Curiosities) (Reviews & Interview)
- Mark Larson (Trapped!) (Reviews)
They’ll discuss the puzzles, narratives, and keepsakes from some of the best tabletop gaming experiences that far too many people have never heard of.
Panels are open seating with no pre-registration necessary. Show up to the Crab God Theater on Friday at 5:15pm and get in line!
Everything Else
Whether you’re into board games, tabletop role-playing games, wargaming, or just the ability to buy dice by the pound, there’s always a ton of things to see and do at PAX Unplugged. If you’re reading this particular article on this particular site, you’re probably looking for something puzzley as well. While the full schedule isn’t published at the time of writing, I did spot two items on the partial schedule that piqued my interest – a puzzle hunt (Foodies from Outer Space) and a set of puzzle rooms (Co-Operatives: A Puzzle Room Experience). They’ll be running throughout the whole convention, and in-person registration is required for the puzzle rooms.
As for the expo hall, two vendors mentioned last year will be present again.
PostCurious, maker of some of our favorite tabletop games and a panelist at the talk David is moderating, will be at booth 3912. Stop by to preview her newest game, Adrift.
Kosmos, maker of the Exit series of games, will be in booth 3427.
With hundreds of other booths to explore you’re sure to find a few things that will catch your eye.
There will also be a contingent of Room Escape Artist writers and staff running around PAX, competing in tournaments and trying out as many games as we can. Be on the lookout for David and Lisa (when they’re not on their panel!), Theresa, Theresa (yes, we have two Theresas), Brendan, and me.
Beyond the Con
Should you find yourself with some extra time, you can always book an escape room! We have a Philadelphia Escape Room Recommendation Guide for you to use as a starting point.
A long day of trying out games at the expo hall can make a person hungry. A few steps south of the convention center is Reading Terminal Market. Reading Terminal Market is an indoor market with a wide variety of restaurants and shops. There’s something there for every palate, but there’s not always a seat – it’s a very popular place to go so make sure to set aside some time to wander around and wait in line.
Grab your pass to PAX Unplugged 2022, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
We are so excited for this! Can’t wait to meet more escape room people there!
Less than a month now! We’ll see you there!