ReedPop and Penny Arcade have officially canceled PAX East 2021, due the ongoing global pandemic. As a result, PAX Online, which debuted last year as a result of the pandemic, will take place again this year from July 15 through July 18.
“In light of ongoing public health concerns, ReedPop and Penny Arcade will not hold PAX East this year,” says Kyle Marsden-Kish, PAX Event Director, ReedPop. “Since we can’t wait until September to reconnect with the wonderful PAX community, PAX Online will return July 15-18. We hope to build on the success of last year’s record-breaking event and also engage with our community in new ways, such as the Indie Showcase that will take place between now and PAX Online. Expect to hear more about these exciting plans soon.”
PAX is a series of annual gaming conventions around the US and Australia, born out of the popular gaming webcomic Penny Arcade. Last year PAX West, PAX AUS, and PAX Unplugged were all canceled to the pandemic. PAX East is the second 2021 PAX convention to be canceled after PAX South, which typically runs in January.
PAX East typically runs in the Spring in Boston, MA each year. Last year, PAX East 2020, was scheduled earlier in February, and was one of the last major conventions before the spread of COVID-19 led to mass shutdowns in the United States.
Last year, PAX Online 2020 ran for nine days in September as a direct replacement for PAX West and PAX Aus. The free online event featured non-stop streaming of gaming, panels, concerts, and tournaments, as well as virtual demos.
ReedPop remains confident that PAX West and PAX Unplugged will return as normal in 2021, with PAX West in Sept. 3-6, and PAX Unplugged running December 10-12.
