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The organizers of the PAX gaming conventions say they plan to bring the annual events back to 2021, pending positive developments from the COVID-19 pandemic. On Friday, ReedPop and Penny Arcade announced dates for PAX East in Boston, PAX West in Seattle, and PAX Unplugged in Philadelphia, but said PAX South will not take place in 2021.
In a press release, PAX organizers said that depending on the status of COVID-19 infections and “with the support and guidance from local governments and health officials,” PAX East will return to Boston. Convention and Exhibition Center from June 3 to 6. ; PAX West will return to the Washington State Convention Center from September 3-6; and PAX Unplugged will return to the Pennsylvania Convention Center from December 10-12.
Information on another PAX convention, PAX Australia, is pending, organizers said.
“While we look forward to hosting shows in 2021, we are first and foremost members of the local communities of Boston, Philadelphia and Seattle, where we are at home,” said PAX Event Director Kyle Marsden-Kish in a press release. “We care deeply about the health and safety of our incredible attendees and industry partners who have brought PAX to life for 17 years. We are cautiously optimistic about improvements in the global COVID-19 situation next year, but we are carefully monitoring the situation to ensure that PAX will only continue if it is deemed safe. “
On the official PAX website, organizers said they announced next year’s dates at this point “to help partners plan the year ahead on how they might attend, as well as to give them the ability to start conversations about how to bring attendees, panelists, exhibitors and our wider community along with those events that are 7 months away. The organizers said “safety is always our top priority” and added that “if COVID-19 remains a major obstacle to a safe gathering at one of our shows, we will not or we will. will take it virtual. As much as we lack, or even crave, the friendliness and magic of a PAX, we will not endanger attendees, exhibitors or our guests for the good of an event if things don’t go well. peer.
ReedPop’s announcement comes a month after the convention and event organizer announced new dates for the 2021 Emerald City Comic Con and the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo. The two conventions, which normally take place in the spring, are scheduled for December 2-5 and December 10-12, respectively.
Organizers kicked off this year’s PAX East in Boston in February, despite growing health concerns and the cancellation of a major attendee, Sony Interactive Entertainment. The following PAX 2020 gatherings – PAX East, PAX Australia and PAX Unplugged – have been canceled or redesigned as online-only events.
ReedPop and Penny Arcade’s announcement comes as the United States breaks records for daily coronavirus-related deaths and hospitalizations, and the Food and Drug Administration is expected to issue emergency use authorization for several COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. But the rollout of vaccinations in the United States will be phased, with health workers, staff and residents of long-term care facilities expected to receive the vaccine first. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say they expect all adults to be able to get the vaccine later in 2021.
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