Next week marks the tenth annual PAX East, in which 70,000+ gamers descend upon Boston, Massachusetts. Among the many tournaments, meetups, and events will be two panels that I'll be moderating! I'm excited to share the stage with some extremely talented game developers and artists. Please stop by either or both of the below two sessions for your chance to win some free games!

Banner with event title and panelist Twitter handles

The Return of Couch Play

Saturday, March 30, 3:00–4:00 PM in Condor Theatre

Steam, PS+, and Xbox Live make it easier than ever to get matched online — yet gamers are increasingly rediscovering the appeal of local, offline play. What are the unique challenges and opportunities of taking a game offline? How do you design a game for competitive or cooperative gameplay on the same screen? We’ll look at how to innovate this ancient tradition and design a game that makes the most of couch play.

Featuring:

Follow along with the #paxcouch hashtag on Twitter! Audio and video recordings are now available.

Banner with event title and panelist Twitter handles

The Art of Craft: Inspiring Game Creations

Sunday, March 31, 1:30–2:30 PM in Arachnid Theatre

Video games are art — and art imitates video games. The characters, colors, and aesthetics of our favorite digital worlds have spawned an industry of apparel and crafts that keep us warm and add a flair of the fantastic to ourselves and our homes. We'll hear from amateur, hobbyist, and professional artists and creators about the inspirations and tools they use to create, enjoy, and sell their custom clothes, jewelry, furniture, paintings, and more.

Featuring:

Follow along with the #paxcraft hashtag on Twitter! Audio and video recordings are now available.

(Promotional images courtesy Thomas Awrey)