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PAX West currently set to go on as scheduled

"We’re still planning on putting together a great PAX West this coming Labor Day weekend"

Even as some US politicians are making controversial pushes to reopen businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the remainder of 2020 is uncertain, and some have suggested cancelling all large gatherings and major events until 2021. Despite that, the organisers of PAX say the show’s annual west coast event is going on as scheduled this September in Seattle, Washington.

“We wanted to let everyone know that as of this moment,” PAX organisers say in the announcement, “we’re still planning on putting together a great PAX West this coming Labor Day weekend (September 4-7) for you, and we will be updating our website with more information on badges and hotel registration in the coming months.”

The PAX people say “our first priority is always your safety”, and they “intend to follow all CDC and WHO guidelines as they are released. That said, actions already taken by our convention center and local government have left us optimistic”. Washington state’s current stay-at-home order is set to last until May 4, and the Washington State Convention Center – where the bulk of PAX takes place – is closed “until further notice”.

GDC was cancelled last month due to COVID-19, though organisers say a different version of the event will take place this summer. The E3 convention this June has been cancelled – as has its digital replacement. The physical Gamescom convention in Cologne, Germany this August has been cancelled, but the show will still go on as a digital event.

Personally, I would not put money down on playing upcoming PC games amid crowded convention halls anytime soon, but you do you.