This year’s PAX Prime will have a ton of games to play on the show floor, and just as many panels to watch. With over a hundred of them to choose from, it’s best to plan ahead.
Whether you’ll be on the show floor, or watching from home via stream, you might want to know what panels are the best of the bunch. To help you on that quest we’ve compiled a list of what we think are the must-watch panels. These panels will happen in theaters scattered around the convention center, and it’s best to arrive early to get a good seat. You might also notice that there are a lot more attractive panels on Friday and Saturday than the other two days. Because of this, you might want to reserve most of your show floor exploration for Sunday and Monday.
Below you’ll find the panels for each of the four days of PAX Prime that you don’t want to miss.
Friday (8/29)
10:00AM (Sandworm Theatre) Quiz Show Hour with Volition, Project Reveal & Prizes – The developers behind the Saints Row franchise invite you to participate in a quiz show hour with Natalie Lander, the voice of Kinzie! At the end of the panel, we’ll show you exclusive gameplay, art, and details for an upcoming project from Volition.
11:30AM (Sandworm Theatre) Be So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Tales of Successful Indies – “Being a female indie game dev is easy!”, said no one ever. Join us as we recount our highs and lows in the trenches of independent game development. WARNING: Panel many contain swears, snort laughs, and ‘the feels’. Learn what it takes to be so good, they can’t ignore you.
1:00PM (Sandworm Theatre) Gaming Your Career: Manage Your Career in the Game Industry – Many people who are interested in working the game industry think that getting in is the hardest part. Au contraire! It is also of vital importance to give thought to planning and managing your career once you’re in. Making assumptions from an outside perspective can be disastrous. Don’t let that happen to you! Come listen to unfiltered advice from a panel of successful game industry veterans and learn how to level up your career!
2:30PM (Main Theatre) The Future of PC Gaming – In 2013 the PC became the number one platform for gaming worldwide. PC Gamers are enjoying the freedom to choose where they game and on which platforms. Amazing developments like Virtual Reality and live gameplay streaming were born on the PC and will thrive there. Come along with Intel Corporation and a few of our partners as we tell the story of the PC’s future for gaming and what we expect the next five years to look like.
5:00PM (Main Theatre) Join the Revolution in Assassin’s Creed Unity – The developers behind the Saints Row franchise invite you to participate in a quiz Vive la France! Assassin’s Creed Unity takes you into the throes of the French Revolution and the infamous Reign of Terror. Join Creative Director Alexander Amancio as he shows off the latest true next generation gameplay for Assassin’s Creed Unity. Thrill seeker extraordinaire Devin Supertramp will unveil his latest gravity defying video and there will be a special opportunity for those fans dressed as Assassins.
5:00PM (Wyvern Theatre) A History of VR: Haven’t We Been Here Before? – Oculus Rift and Sony’s Morpheus have rekindled the world’s love of Virtual Reality. This panel of experts tell their stories from the LAST time VR was going to change the world. They discuss what has changed, what hasn’t changed, and what must change for VR to truly go mainstream. As an added bonus original “antique” HMDs will be on display and videos from early VR games will be shown.
6:00PM (Sphinx Theatre) The Future of Online Games – MMORPG.com MMORPG.com brings together the best game designers in the business for a round table panel about where games are going in the online space. Past panels have included: Guild Wars 2, WildStar, Elder Scrolls Online, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Neverwinter, Everquest Next, Star Citizen, and Pathfinder Online. The panel of experts will discuss the latest trends in the game industry and answer questions from fans.
6:30PM (Wyvern Theatre) The PAX 10 Panel: Part 1 – The PAX 10 is a showcase of independent games to be exhibited at PAX. Our group of over 50 industry experts have culled a selection of games into what they collectively feel are the ten best in regard to gameplay and overall fun-factor. Join the creators of those games live and on stage! Questions will be asked! Answers may appear! And you will get a chance to talk to these up and coming indie game superstars. This panel will feature the creators of The Counting Kingdom, Mushroom 11, FRAMED, Flickers, and Life Goes On.
7:30PM (Sphinx Theatre) The Angry Video Game Nerd Movie Screening – From YouTube to the silver screen, The Angry Video Game Movie is finally here! The Angry Video Game Nerd leaves the basement to battle aliens, giant monsters, and the worst video games of all time in his feature film debut. Join the Angry Video Game Nerd himself, James Rolfe, for a special screening of the new film that brings sci-fi, video games, monster movies, aliens, and more together in one crazy comedic package.
Saturday (8/30)
10:00AM (Sandworm Theatre) How Media Molecule Made the Fourth-Wall-Breaking Papery World of Tearaway – Tearaway is a game about a little messenger in a papery world held entirely in your hands, with a fourth wall breaking design that makes you as much a part of the story as your little messenger friend. Learn how we designed and built a realistic paper world that flexes, folds, tears and crumples at your very touch, how paper influenced every part of the game’s construction from the art style, to the sound effects, music and UI, and what’s next for the world of Tearaway.
11:00AM (Main Theatre) Halo and the Journey of The Master Chief – Join the Halo Developers from 343 Industries for an in-depth look into Halo: The Master Chief Collection and other upcoming Halo projects and releases. Come celebrate The Master Chief and the future of the franchise as we take you on the next steps of your Halo journey.
11:30AM (Sphinx Theatre) Get All Up Inside Gaming – Come meet some dudes on the internet. What makes these specific dudes so special? No idea, but maybe we can find out together at this shameless marketing stunt they like to call a “panel”. Live QA and possible gameplay or special video if you’re good.
12:30PM (Sasquatch Theatre) – Firaxis Mega Panel – Come see the developers from Firaxis Games Studio as they provide an inside look at their new and upcoming title, Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth, before it ships this October 24, 2014! We’ll be showing new gameplay, talking about some of the newer and late-game features, as well as discussing the challenges and opportunities that arose throughout the development process.
2:00PM (Main Theatre) Deep Dive Into Design Depth in League of Legends – We believe the pursuit of mastery is one of the key reasons why players continue to connect with and play League of Legends years after the game’s launch. To create a viable “path to mastery,” game systems have to be deep enough to provide opportunities for players to demonstrate personal expertise, teamwork, and adaptability. Game designers from Riot will share stories of our notable wins and spectacular fails as we strive to create a deep, endlessly engaging experience for players.
4:00PM (Sphinx Theatre) Major Nelson Radio at PAX Prime – For the 10th year in a row, it’s Major Nelson Radio at PAX Prime! Like a fine wine that has gotten better with age, Major Nelson Radio goes down smooth and leaves no bitter aftertaste. Join Larry Hryb, Xbox LIVE’s Major Nelson, e, lollip0p and JEF United as we record an episode of the award winning podcast “Major Nelson Radio” LIVE in front of a studio audience. We will have prizes, guests and probably fun.
4:30PM (Main Theatre) Grim Fandango: Bringing the Dead Back to Life – In 1998 Tim Schafer released Grim Fandango, his final game at Lucas Arts before leaving to start Double Fine Productions. The game saw great critical success and has gone on to be considered one of the great classics. Now, over 15 years later, the game is being re-released as Grim Fandango Remastered debuting on PlayStation 4 & Vita. Join a panel consisting of both the game’s original creators and the team responsible for the new release as they discuss the game’s original development, their feelings on the game looking back, and how they are approaching development on the new release!
9:30PM (Wyvern Theatre) The Smash Brothers Community – Past, Present, and Future – “The Smash Brothers” documentary took the gaming and eSports world by surprise in 2013 – for the first time many learned about the passionate, deep history of the Smash Brothers community. Where did it all start? How did this grassroots community become one of the most powerful voices in gaming? What does the future have in store? Learn about the history and development of the community from it’s key players. Interested in becoming a Smasher? We’ll also let you know how to get involved.
Sunday (8/31)
10:30AM (Main Theatre) Inside Gearbox Software – Gearbox Software is back at PAX Prime and we are taking over the Main Theatre! This is your opportunity to get a behind the scenes look at Gearbox Software and get the latest news and updates on Borderlands and upcoming Gearbox titles! We will have never before seen reveals, exclusives and surprises so don’t miss out and hang out with Gearbox at PAX Prime!
12:00PM (Hedgehog Theatre) So our game is called Destiny. Now what? – Bungie will discuss the challenges that surround launching a brand new game and keeping it in orbit. Join them for a look back at how they built this brave new world, and a look forward at how they intend to keep it packed with action that can engage and surprise for a long time to come. Moderated by Design Lead Luke Smith, the conversation will feature Technical Art Director Ryan Ellis, Design Lead M.E. Chung, and Engineering Lead Luke Timmins.
6:30PM (Wyvern Theatre) The PAX 10 Panel: Part 2 – The PAX 10 is a showcase of independent games to be exhibited at PAX. Our group of over 50 industry experts have culled a selection of games into what they collectively feel are the ten best in regard to gameplay and overall fun-factor. Join the creators of those games live and on stage! Questions will be asked! Answers may appear! And you will get a chance to talk to these up and coming indie game superstars. This panel will feature the creators of Stikbold!, Poof vs. The Cursed Kitty, Duet, Nova111, SkullDuggery!, and Duet.
Monday (9/1)
10:30AM (Main Theatre) Penny Arcade Q&A – If you’ve ever been interested in what it’s like to be a world famous, internationally published creator of jpg’s, this is the panel to attend. None of these other panels are going to do it for you, trust me, just don’t even bother.
1:30PM (Hedgehog Theatre) Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, Nemesis System Evolves Gameplay and Storytelling – Our panel of experts will discuss: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor’s innovative approach to new-gen gameplay through the Nemesis System, and how new-gen story telling in games is all about the player stories. The panel will also announce all new game details about this fall’s highly anticipated action game and a reveal of a never-before-seen asset.
Also See: PAX Prime Indie Megabooth List Revealed
For the full schedule, head to the official PAX Prime website.
