PAX Unplugged last year was a mixed bag. I had a great time but my kid struggled and couldn’t get there at all – OCD and anxiety can suck the fun out of any event. But, I am very pleased to say, huge progress has been made over the last year. And this year? We were there all three days! Not only that, but he had a friend fly in from Canada to stay for the weekend (plus a bit) and join us. Games aside, this was the best convention in a long while.

But let’s not cast games aside! PAX Unplugged has grown! I feel like a grandparent at the holidays. I kind of want to pinch its cheek and say, “Look how big you’re getting!” And then I will quietly muse on how I miss the days when it was just a tot. It’s great to see the success of this con but I do miss the intimacy of the first two years. I was not a big fan of the rearranged entrance and while I understand what they were doing, it all felt a bit colder this year. The aisles were set up a bit wonky and we walked for three days and probably didn’t see every booth (although, we saw the same booths quite often). So for those smaller vendors that we missed – we’ll get you next year.

We play-tested a few games, borrowed some from the library and bought a fun new gaming backpack to take home our loot. I’m hoping that this con keeps evolving and remembers that at the heart of all of this what we really want is to connect to people and play some games.

Seeing Shut Up and Sit Down is always a highlight. I blame them for many of our gaming purchases over the years.

I was with two guests who had never been to a gaming convention before which allowed me to view it through fresh eyes. It made me take a hard look at why we attend the conventions. Is it all about the shopping? Is it about trying new games? Is it about community? What does all of this craziness look like from the outside? We tried to curb our shopping a bit and enjoy the rest but I am weak when it comes to good artwork and great mechanics.

We’ll be doing reviews once our out of town guests head back out of town but for now, here’s the loot:

Star Wars: Outer Rim, Vast: Mysterious Manor (plus expansion), Silver, Silver Bullet, Sabotage (Fowers Games), Fake Artist Goes to NY and Insider (from Oink), Goblinville Gazette RPG, Jaipur (finally!) and a Choose Your Own Adventure game. We also snagged a few upgrades to our favorite games (Welcome To and Betrayal, I’m looking at you) and joined the rest of the crowd in buying a new gaming backpack. (J picked up Beastgrave and a nice hardbound Dungeon Crawl Classics)

Did you go? Did you play? Did you like the changes?