September 01 marks the first of PAX West 2023 in Seattle, Washington. Excited and full of curiosity for what lies ahead, Tom and David embark on their journey through the latest and best that gaming and gaming culture has to offer.
The Boss Rush Network team arrives at the Seattle Convention Center at 9:00 a.m., gaining entrance to the show floor an hour before the general public during the exclusive media hour. David and Tom made the most of the time, getting hands-on gameplay and interviews with game developers.
David: Editor In Chief
Getting to attend PAX is always a dream realized. I love to write, and I love video games; getting to combine my passions is an opportunity I treasure. Today felt like another precious gem in my collection.
We started the exclusive media hour by trying a game that caught my eye as we scrambled through the crowd of excited journalists and content creators: Extremely Powerful Capybaras. Tom and I had a blast trying to survive long enough to earn a capybara plushy, something I regret to report that we failed to do. The game proved a delightful surprise and you can read our early preview here.
The game represents so much of what I love about Indie games and PAX, a conference that celebrates Indie developers. Video games are works of art, each reflective of the cultural and personal experiences of their creators. Extremely Powerful Capybaras celebrates Brazil, the home country of the six-person development team.
Similarly, playing black-and-white Indie games on the Playdate console also felt like a celebration of the medium, with one-hour games made by novice and aspiring developers that played unlike anything in the video game sphere. These are the moments in which PAX shines.
We finished day one by writing articles and hitting up food trucks (Cuban-Mexican fusion? Yes please!). Tomorrow we’ll head back to PAX West with a full slate of interviews and game demos. I can’t wait!
Tom: Associate Writer
This is my first ever PAX, so I’m honored to even be able to peek behind the curtain of my dream industry like this. With a press pass around my neck, I feel like I’m walking around with a Disney FastPass.
One thing I noticed is that trends will come and go; and cycles, especially within this industry, are bound to repeat themselves. Did you grow up with a DSi in your pocket? Looking to scratch that Flipnote Studio itch? There’s the Playdate now! Pining for that Newgrounds era of flash animations? There’s Alien Hominid Invasion on the horizon! Whatever has been, there will always be, because somewhere, somehow, a developer shared a similar experience.
We can’t wait to share with you what we experience in Day 2 of PAX West 2023!
Tell us what you think! Will you be attending PAX West in the future? Are you here now? Share your reactions in the comments below or join the conversation on Boss Rush Network’s Discord and Facebook.
