PAX East begins this Friday in Boston, and as always, the event includes a large number of panels and events. Listed below are some of the more noteworthy ones worth keeping an eye on, while the full schedule can be found on the official PAX East website.
Friday 3/6
Blizzard Preview: Hearthstone, Overwatch, and Heroes of the Storm (10:30 AM): "Bold new heroes, exciting new cards, and epic new battlegrounds. Join a trio of Blizzard Entertainment developers for a look at just some of what’s in store for 2015, including upcoming content for Heroes of the Storm, Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, and Overwatch."
Games Done Quick: Speedrunning, Charity, and Video Games (1:00 PM): "We’re some of the organizers and speedrunners behind Games Done Quick! We run a series of speedrun charity events, and we’d like to talk about them and introduce some of its runners. Awesome Games Done Quick 2015 ended up raising $1.5 million for Prevent Cancer Foundation, and Summer Games Done Quick starts July 26th. So stop by, hear us talk about the marathons, speedrunning, charity in gaming, streaming, and answer questions anyone might have. We’ll also show a speedrun demonstration!"
What You Absolutely Must Do to Get Into the Games Industry (6:00 PM): "In attempting to enter the game development industry, there are definitive things you must accomplish (and things to certainly avoid) to stand out from the crowd. The panelists will detail your strategy essentials for acquiring a job within the many facets of game development (with specific details on how to use your time wisely while here at PAX). “Do’s and Do Not’s” of networking combined with "How to balance your portfolio" will push you past the HR trap and onto the interview."
Game Review Over: Critiquing the Way We Critique Games (7:00 PM): "Are game reviews dead? YouTube and Twitch are popular platforms for sharing criticism. The myth of the objective game review is a hot topic. In an era where game formats are changing—episodic and early access experiences have us questioning what makes a game "reviewable"—Is traditional coverage becoming irrelevant? How do you avoid spoilers, or is spoiler sensitivity too high? We'll discuss with attendees what they want to see in reviews, and whether reviews have outlived their usefulness."
Saturday 3/7
What It Takes to Build a Next Gen Open World Game (10:30 AM): "Join CD Projekt Red to talk about what it takes to build a next-gen game and check out the latest build of The Witcher 3."
Turning the Key: What It Takes to Create a New FPS Franchise (2:30 PM): "Go behind-the-scenes with Cliff Bleszinski and the team at Boss Key Productions to discover what it takes to create a brand new studio and game from scratch. Why did Cliff move on from a huge franchise to start something new? What are Boss Key’s development philosophies? Is there an office beer of choice? All that and more, plus an opportunity to ask questions to the team and get exclusive swag! Trust us, you don't want to miss it."
Games Are Good for You! How Gaming Improves Our Lives (6:30 PM): "Sure, video games can be fun, but did you know they can improve your relationships, assist in decision-making, strengthen morals, and more? Get caught up with the latest findings in positive video game research in this fun, interactive presentation. Join Dr. Patrick O’Connor, professor of psychology, and Josué Cardona, founder of Geek Therapy, and colleagues as they cover the benefits of playing video games and how they are strengthening us as individuals and as a society."
Sunday 3/8
Team Indie MEGABOOTH on How to Get Ahead in Indie (10:00 AM): "Indie games are the most exciting sector of the industry right now. Do you want to get involved but don't know how? Come meet the team behind Indie MEGABOOTH as they talk openly about getting started in games. With advice, Q&A, and plenty of dumb jokes, it's guaranteed to be a fun time."
Reboot Our Roots: Bringing Our Favorite Genres Back to Life (1:30 PM): "Many of today's indie games are spiritual successors of yesteryear's hits, from King's Quest to Gabriel Knight to Quest for Glory—with some even being developed by the same teams that brought us the originals. What's it like to reboot a franchise or genre after 30 years? How do you update a classic while staying true to the original? Industry veterans share their stories of revisiting their roots, taking up their heroes' mantles, and what they've learned in the intervening years."
How the Local Co-Op Resurgence is Saving Social Gaming (3:30 PM): "Since the death of arcades and the boom of online competitive gaming, social interactions among game players have generally degraded to a state of repugnance, which has caused those who would be the most enjoyable to play with to simply avoid gaming online with unknown players entirely. Now, with the resurgence of local co-op gaming, players are once again having to learn essential etiquette long since lost to the culture at large. Join us as we discuss being part of positive, inclusive play."
