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| PaizoCon | |
|---|---|
| Name | PaizoCon |
| Genre | Role-playing games |
| Location | Seattle, Washington |
| Country | United States |
| First | 2002 |
| Organizer | Paizo Publishing |
PaizoCon is an annual gaming convention focused on tabletop role-playing games produced by Paizo Publishing and other publishers. It emphasizes organized play, new product previews, and community-driven events that attract players, designers, developers, and retailers. The convention serves as a hub connecting fans of Pathfinder, Starfinder, and related properties with creators, industry figures, and organized-play programs.
PaizoCon began in 2002 as a fan-focused gathering organized by Paizo Publishing founders and staff associated with Dragon (magazine), Dungeon (magazine), and early staff formerly of Wizards of the Coast. Over the years the convention intersected with developments at Paizo Publishing, the launch of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game and the introduction of Starfinder Roleplaying Game. PaizoCon’s timeline parallels major tabletop milestones such as the rise of Dungeons & Dragons (3rd edition), the transition to Dungeons & Dragons (4th edition), and the later resurgence around Dungeons & Dragons (5th edition). The convention has featured previews tied to product lines from companies including Wizards of the Coast, Green Ronin Publishing, Monte Cook Games, Chaosium, Legendary Games, and Free League Publishing. PaizoCon’s development has also reflected broader events like releases associated with Paizo Pathfinder Society, industry shifts involving Hasbro, and collaborations with retailers such as Paizo Store and distributors like Alliance Distribution. Guest history includes figures connected to Shannon Appelcline, Rob Heinsoo, Lisa Stevens, and creative staffs who contributed to Dragonlance, Shadowrun, and GURPS.
The convention is organized by Paizo Publishing staff and volunteers drawn from communities that include members of Paizo Pathfinder Society, Starfinder Society, and independent gaming groups such as The Gauntlet, Critical Role fan circles, and local clubs affiliated with Seattle Public Library programs. Scheduling integrates tabletop sessions, vendor halls, meet-and-greets, and behind-the-scenes panels modeled after formats used at Gen Con, Origins Game Fair, PAX West, and Order of the Stick live events. PaizoCon’s format includes badgeed credentials, ticket tiers similar to systems used at Comic-Con International, and ticketing mechanics inspired by practices at Eventbrite and Brown Paper Tickets. Logistics coordinate with hospitality partners like Hyatt Regency Seattle or comparable venues during different years and draw on event-management methodologies from firms that handle PAX and Magfest operations.
Programming comprises organized-play scenarios, designer-led one-shots, developer panels, and industry workshops reminiscent of sessions at Dragonmeet, UK Games Expo, GAMA Trade Show, and Game Developers Conference. Game lines supported include Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, licensed modules associated with Roberto Orci-style media tie-ins, and third-party content from publishers such as Paizo, Nocturnal Media, and Green Ronin Publishing. Programming also features product previews like those seen at Gen Con reveal panels, playtests comparable to Wizards Play Network events, and demo sessions influenced by practices at Wizards of the Coast design playtests. Additional elements include vendor booths for retailers like Miniature Market and The Noble Knight, art auctions echoing HeroForge showcases, and community meetups patterned after ENnie Awards gatherings.
Competitive events at PaizoCon include organized Pathfinder Society and Starfinder Society scenarios overseen by moderators trained in protocols similar to those used at Pathfinder Society regional events and national championships. Tournaments mirror structures from Gen Con tournaments, including scoring systems like those in Paizo Organized Play and prize frameworks comparable to Origins Awards distributions. Award recognition at related Paizo events can be compared to accolades such as the ENnie Awards, Origins Awards, and industry acknowledgments observed at IndieCade and The Game Awards. Tournament administration follows standards resembling those of Wizards of the Coast organized play and adjudication practices used at US Nationals for role-playing competitions.
Past guests have included designers, authors, and artists associated with prominent properties and institutions such as James Jacobs (editor), F. Wesley Schneider, Paolo Greco, Tim Hitchcock (artist), and contributors linked to Monte Cook and Christopher Perkins (designer). Panels have featured discussions involving creators from Wizards of the Coast, Green Ronin Publishing, Chaosium, and representatives connected to Pathfinder Adventure Path authors, editors from Dragon (magazine), and freelancers who have worked on Magic: The Gathering, RPG Superstar, and licensed projects tied to Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings. Sessions often include design postmortems, narrative craft talks with professionals from Image Comics and Dark Horse Comics, and business panels drawing figures from Hasbro-adjacent publishing operations.
PaizoCon functions as a focal point for community organizing that feeds into broader organized play ecosystems including Pathfinder Society and Starfinder Society. The convention has influenced fan practices similar to those that evolved around Critical Role, Actual Play podcasts, and streaming culture on platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming. It supports creators who later publish through outlets such as DriveThruRPG, DTRPG, and independent presses including Kickstarter-backed studios. PaizoCon’s community engagement informs retail strategies at stores like D20 Collective and volunteer-run initiatives that parallel outreach at Tabletop Gaming festivals.
Attendance typically comprises hobbyists, designers, and industry professionals from the Seattle metropolitan area, the broader Pacific Northwest, and international visitors from regions represented at Gen Con and Origins Game Fair. Venue selections have included hotel conference spaces in downtown Seattle and nearby convention centers with capacities comparable to spaces used by PAX West and Emerald City Comic Con. The convention schedule often coordinates with other regional events such as PAX West to accommodate traveling attendees and leverages transportation hubs like Seattle–Tacoma International Airport for accessibility.
Category:Gaming conventions Category:Role-playing game conventions