If there’s one reason to attend a gaming conference, it’s definitely the swag.
And the networking. And the panel discussions on oddly-specific topics. And the first looks at new games.
But mostly, it’s the swag.
The cost of a ticket plus hotel, food and booze fees doesn’t mean much if a person can’t walk away with armloads of collectible junk. At this year's PAX West, the best swag comes from companies everyone knows and loves such as Ubisoft, Square Enix and Nintendo.
Below are the places where attendees will find the best items, courtesy of redditor MegaFerret777. But first, a handy reference map to guide players around the expo hall.
Backpacks via Patriot
Anyone holding out for handouts is going to need to have someplace to hold all that gear. Attendees should plan to swing by the PC Freeplay area early to pick up one of these bags from Patriot. The team behind Viper Gaming, which makes keyboards, mice, headsets and other gaming peripherals, will host tournaments, events and activities with these backpacks as giveaways.
Pins via Nintendo
Those who are proud to display their dedication to geekdom are compelled to stop by the Nintendo exhibition areas at locations 1921 and 1939. There, they can participate in a scavenger hunt to walk away with a one-of-a-kind Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening pin. They’ll also get a Luigi’s Mansion 3 pin just for checking in via QR code, and can also pick up a Galar travel brochure and postcard while learning more about the Galar region in Pokémon Sword and Shield.
Final Fantasy XIV Online Starter Edition for PC via Square Enix
What’s the most appropriate thing a person can bring home from a gaming conference? A free game, of course. Final Fantasy noobs can pick up copies of Final Fantasy XIV Online Starter Edition for PC by checking out the New Player Experience Area at Square Enix, located at booths 2141 and 2335. But there’s plenty more swag, too — visitors can also pick up foam swords, and those who participate in the Titania Battle Challenge and defeat the ruler of the pixies can grab an “I beat Titania” shirt. Attend the Creating Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers panel, and take home a double-sided poster as well.
Free Trial of Uplay+ via Ubisoft
Speaking of free games, access more than 100 of them for free by visiting Ubisoft at location 605. Visitors will unlock nearly a month of games as the trial runs from Sept. 3 through 30. Roller Champions players can participate in a tournament throughout the weekend, with prizes for first and second place finishes.
Swag Bag via Guild Wars 2: Living World
Okay, so it’s not clear what’s in this bag. But, it’s an added bonus for being one of the first 500 attendees at the first look at a new chapter of Guild Wars 2: Living World, complete with a major announcement and a developer presentation. And since that’s a cool thing to check out anyway, the goodie bag is just the icing on the cake. The event will be at the Moore Theater on Aug. 30 at 9 a.m. PT.
Mechanical Sculpture, Peripherals and Hardware via ASUS Republic of Gamers
Okay, so the coolest swag in this lineup are more like prizes — rewards for high placement in ASUS’s Fortnite Duos competition. But with something like a unique mechanical sculpture as well as pricey ASUS gear at stake, it's worth sharing. But, for those who don’t consider Fortnite their forte, there are also mystery giveaways for tasks such as stamping a passport or taking selfies while competing and tagging them with #ROGatPAX and @rog_na. ASUS will be at booth 1303.
Temporary Tattoos and Twitch Swag Bags via PMS Clan
Swing by and visit the PMS Clan at the Diversity Lounge on Level 6 to get tatted up — temporarily, of course. Visitors who take photos with their tattoos and tags both @pmsclan and #pmsclanpaxwest can enter to win a Twitch swag bag, which includes a sweet hoodie and some other goodies.
For more swag info and to check for updates, visit the Unofficial "Official" PAX West 2019 Swag thread on Reddit.