PAX Report 2025 - Geek@Arms

As the convention hall closes on the evening of the last day, the dazzle and excitement of another PAX East is one more cherished memory. There are so many things that make PAX East my favorite con: the overwhelmingly positive community, the time with loved ones, the opportunity to try new things, the excitement of indie developers, and just the chance to be with your own kind. For all these reasons and more PAX East 2025 did not disappoint. There are so many different kinds of gamers, and this show had something for everyone. I could never cram everything I found amazing into one report, so let’s take a look at some highlights.

A chance to create

Tucked away in a small corner of the sea of tabletop gaming lay a table that removed barriers and unlocked creative opportunities. It was a small thing with immense possibilities. Trans Atlantis Games hosted a free RPG miniature paint and take. I’ve always seen minis painting as fascinating and wonderful, but it was always something for other people. Talented people. People who knew what they were doing.

I’ve never been confident in my fine motor skills. I’ve never considered myself in any way artistic. But here I was handed permission to try at no risk. And now, watching my all-gray mini come to life with colors that I mixed and matched myself was incredibly rewarding. Now, will I win any awards for this mini? No. Did I make mistakes I had to Bob Ross into something else? Yes. Did I touch some of this up in photoshop before posting? Not saying. But the point is, it made me want to do more.

Title on the horizon

This year, I could not wait to try a title in development, Ultimate Sheep Racoon, a sort-of-sequel to 2016’s psychotic party platformer, Ultimate Chicken Horse. And if you have not played Ultimate Chicken Horse, you either don’t like platforming, or you don’t like fun.

This time around the animals are back, but this time they’re on bikes. Once you select your level, you’re given a basic track. At the beginning of each round you add obstacles. Some objects are potentially helpful; others are just plain deathtraps. Then you all race together and see who makes it to the finish line with their precious animal souls still tethered to their mortal coils.

It’s hilarious, frenetic, dynamic play. It’s still in production, but still on track for a 2025 release. Keep your eye on this one on the Clever Endeavor’s Steam page.

Concepts in progress

One surprise find was Cat Secretary. In this zany and adorable indie game you play a stray cat that wanders into the DOX corporation and manages to exploit an employment portal to get yourself hired for an office job. Only then do you discover that the company is being taken over and replaced with an AI. It’s a cozy office sim by day and stealth game by night as you try to unravel the evil AI plot.

It’s delightfully cynical, wonderfully zany, and amazingly witty. This early version shows good writing, delightful humor, and fun play mechanics. I’m really rooting for this one! You can wishlist this one on Good Story Guild’s Steam page.

Cool creators

Another thing I love about the PAX experience is getting the chance to talk to people doing awesome and innovative things. This time I was thrilled to talk to the owners of Junk Food Arcades, creators of ergonomic controllers. They have something that may be a big answer for accessibility in video games.

What I’m talking about is a future for us with joint issues. We’re not 20 anymore, and no one prepped people like me for pain and inflammation in the fingers and hands. Some of us just can’t hold a traditional controller without it taking a toll. It’s limited the games I can play, and for how long. But their Sworl controller just might mean getting back what physical limitations have taken away.

It’s a super-modified arcade stick that replaces right and left analog sticks with roller domes. Imagine setting your hands in a keyboard-like position with largish domes by your thumbs. You can comfortably position your fingers, finding easy-to-control ergonomic play. I came back and played twice over two days, and let me tell you, this just felt right. Currently I mostly play on a MayFlash arcade stick, and I always wished I could mod it to have the right analog. The Sworl offers that.

I’m keeping a sharp eye on early reviews and feedback in their discord channel. For a small creator and innovative design, the Sworl’s price tag of $175 for the PC/Switch controller or $225 for the multiconsole, super-mondo version is not exactly bargain bin, but it’s also not out of the range of other fight sticks out there.

Tabletop takeaway

I was so happy to get my hands on a copy of Sky Team this year. In this two-player co-operative game you and your copilot are trying to land a commercial airliner. You roll your dice pool and then together you allocate those values to the plane’s various controls. The challenge is that you can’t directly communicate what dice values you have, and so there’s an element of inference and deduction.

So, roll your dice, stay alert, drink some coffee (no seriously, there’s a coffee mechanic) and land that plane!

It’s a short 15-20’ish minute play, and it’s at a price point that won’t break the bank.

A find my wife could not resist was Be Like a Cat by Critical Kit Ltd. It’s a lightweight RPG made for 1-2 players. It features a system where you are – get ready to not be surprised – a cat. It features a base set of mechanics and a handful of adventures spanning from ancient Egypt to a journey through the stars.

You can go at this game as solo adventures or as a team of DM and player. Since the adventures are procedurally generated it has built in replayability. There’s also a section on creating your own adventures, so the possibilities are limitless. With a fun concept and solid art, this was a great find.

Being with your people

One thing I cannot emphasize enough is the sense of community at PAX East. Whether you’re seven or 70, you’re with people who get what you’re into. From talking with parents of a four-year old who loves the freeplay arcade, to waiting in line for a panel with the gamers in the 40+ bracket there is a sense of belonging. People were happy to be helpful, welcoming, and just excited to be with people who share their passions.

I had the pleasure of sitting next to an experienced and skilled minis painter who asked if I wanted input on my first time doing a full-color mini. Her tips and encouragement went a long way to keep going past initial frustrations. I had a great time commuting on the MBTA with an out-of-towner from Wisconsin who needed a bit of an assist to find his way to the convention hall. From support, encouragement, and just sharing passions with your fellow geeks and gamers, it’s a rejuvenating experience just to be in the presence of your own kind.

I’ll be posting pics of some of the phenomenal folks and incredible cosplayers I met this year on the Geek at Arms Instagram. I’m truly thankful to connect to so many people in this kind of supportive environment, even if it is for a short while. I can’t wait to spend time again with my people next year.