Indies Took Center Stage at PAX East 2026

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We were excited to be at PAX East 2026, representing Start with Gravity and our growing lineup of indie games.
From the minute the doors opened, the halls were packed, noisy, and a little chaotic in a way that really does remind you why in person events still matter.

What stood out this year was how visible indie games felt across the floor. Compared to PAX West 2025, where huge publisher booths tended to swallow everything around them, Boston appeared more balanced and easier to just walk and explore. Smaller teams actually had room to show their work, and people looked genuinely happy to wander, stumble into something unexpected, and chat directly with developers at the stations.

Indie games appear to be in a pretty healthy spot right now, at least from what we saw at PAX East 2026. The floor was full of smaller teams showing focused, confident projects that usually held their own next to the big booths. That kind of response may suggest players are actively looking for fresh ideas and specific creator voices, not only the safest sequels. Based on the conversations we had, the next few years of indie releases are likely to feel crowded, but also surprisingly strong.

At our booth, three games kept pulling people back in, Light Odyssey, Galvatein: Adventurer’s Guild, and Twilight Monk. Light Odyssey drew in action fans who enjoy tough fights and the slow, slightly painful process of getting better with each attempt. Galvatein: Adventurer’s Guild clicked with players who liked working the guild reception desk, checking claims, and solving little “did this really happen” cases in a cozy fantasy office. Twilight Monk caught a lot of eyes with its mood, art style, and very satisfying moment to moment gameplay. We got lots of helpful feedback, and watched people return with friends to show off their new favorites..

https://www.startwithgravity.net/

https://x.com/start_gravityEN

https://store.steampowered.com/publisher/gravity

https://store.steampowered.com/publisher/GRAVITYGAMEARISE
https://www.youtube.com/@Start_with_GRAVITY (Korean)

PAX East 2026 felt like a community focused show where indie creativity was more visible than usual, even if not every booth got the same spotlight.

We were genuinely grateful to everyone who stopped by to play, talk, or just say hi, and it is likely you will see us back at future events. Thank you!

VIDEO WALK-THRUS

PHOTO GALLERY

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Even cozy games draw audiences!

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2XKO’s tournament tested guests’ mettle.

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VR… woahhh!!!

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Nintendo was popular as usual.

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Take photos with your favorite games


EARLY MORNING PANOS

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The expo hall is large and provided lots of room for visitors.

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We were next to Escape from Duckov which had a consistent line all weekend.

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Next to Nintendo, the Halloween game a few others were main draws this year.


QUEEN OF THE LOBBY

Warframe

Warframe showed off an amazing piece at the expo lobby.

Thanks for checking out our Pax East 2026 Boston experience and thanks to all of you who came to visit our booth!

See you next time!

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The Story Unfolds…

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This week we’re sharing some of our favorite games and game moments to celebrate World Storytelling Day!
World Storytelling Day is a global celebration of oral storytelling around March 20, when people worldwide share stories in many languages and places to exchange inspiration and build international connections.

Let’s check in with the team now

When I think of storytelling in video games, the first title that comes to mind is Elden Ring. What draws me in most is how the game requires active effort to uncover its full narrative: you must seek out specific items whose descriptions provide crucial context about key characters and the shattered world around you. This environmental approach rewards curiosity rather than spelling everything out through cutscenes or dialogue.
The game’s vast open world invites endless exploration, offering dozens of side quests that gradually reveal the intertwined storylines of memorable NPCs. I especially enjoyed piecing together the lore behind each major boss and the allies who guide you on your journey.
Admittedly, some players can finish the entire game without experiencing the complete story, since the narrative is deliberately indirect and never hand-held like in more conventional titles. Yet that is exactly why I love this style of storytelling. It pushes me to explore every corner of the Lands Between and leave no stone unturned, turning discovery itself into part of the adventure.

— Kevin S., Client Success

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When it comes to video games, gameplay and mechanics are usually the main focus, and I wholeheartedly agree that they should be. Still, sometimes you just want a great story to go along with it. For me, that game is Dragon Age: Origins. I absolutely adore what BioWare created. I love its world, its themes, and more importantly, its characters. I keep coming back to the world of Thedas even after finishing the game. I would go out of my way to look up random bits of lore on the wiki and spend hours reading instead of studying for school. It even got to the point where I started buying books just to experience more of that world.
Over time, the story has shifted with each new entry, for better or worse, especially the latest one, Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Even so, I am still grateful for the time I spent with Origins. There are times when I just want to sit down and enjoy the gameplay, but it is also nice to have a story that stays with you long after you are done playing.

— Andrew S., Asst. Producer

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Game storytelling is what transforms a good game into something unforgettable. Mechanics may hook players at first, but it’s the narrative, the emotional weight, the stakes, the journey that keeps them invested for years, even decades. That’s why so many of the most enduring titles aren’t just fun to play, but powerful to experience. Games with tight, well-crafted storylines create worlds you don’t just visit, you live in them. In contrast, simpler puzzle or casual games might offer quick bursts of entertainment, but they rarely leave a lasting impression. It’s the deeper stories, the ones that challenge characters and push them through hardship, that resonate the most. Series like Diablo, The Legend of Zelda, and Final Fantasy continue to thrive because they pull players into rich, evolving narratives. Personally, I’ve always been drawn to Diablo’s darker storytelling. The eternal conflict between angels and demons, the burden of the Nephilim, and the constant tension between destiny and destruction. I don’t find myself as engaged with stories that remain pleasant from start to finish; I prefer narratives that test their heroes, that force them to confront fear, endure suffering, and ultimately rise stronger. Just like mythology, the most compelling game stories are those where victory is earned through struggle, and where the journey shapes the hero as much as the outcome.

— Justin J., Asst. Project Manager

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One of my all-time best storytelling moments in gaming, surprisingly ,comes from the MMORPG genre.
Certainly not the most well known for impactful stories and plot development beyond collecting 12 wolf pelts, I know, but some MMOs got it right more than once.

Some of my favorites have been both of the beginner Sith storylines in Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic leading up to the lightsaber unlock moment. FFXI, the betrayal, redemption, and evolution of the Galka from the Shadowlord story arc. The Estinien Wormblood dragoon story arc in FFXIV: Heavensward – such drama! All better than Game of Thrones for my money.

There were many more great stories in MMORPGs which can be easy to overlook when dailies, end-game grind and guild drama looms over every title, but it’s nice to slow down and remember the story-craft that can come from this often unlikely source.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Vaan impersonates Basch in FFXII
  • The revelation of Mordin Solus’s background in Mass Effect 2
  • Unlock questlines for Inaros, Dagath, and Caliban in Warframe

— Mace T. Project Manager

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Thank you for reading. Share some stories and see you next time!

 
 

Sleep, Pies, and Petals

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This week we’re celebrating some fun holidays!

Mar 12: Plant a Flower Day!
Mar 13: World Sleep Day!
Mar 14:  Pi Day!


The Rise of AFK Games

World Sleep Day is a good reminder that rest matters even for gamers. While traditional games often demand long sessions and constant attention, AFK (Away From Keyboard) games have created a different kind of experience. These games continue progressing even when the player isn’t actively playing, allowing characters to farm resources, gain experience, or complete tasks while the player sleeps or goes about their day.

In a way, AFK games fit perfectly into modern lifestyles: you can still enjoy the feeling of progress and growth in a game without sacrificing your sleep schedule. Sometimes the best strategy isn’t grinding all night it’s simply letting the game play along while you rest.

— Justin J., Asst Project Manager

Sweet Numbers
In celebrating Pi Day, a fun day that brings together everyone’s love of pies and everyone’s favorite subject, math. Sadly, some people did not get that memo, and they dread it. As a kid, I was like that too, but I remember playing a bunch of web-based math games and slowly starting to enjoy them and appreciate the subject more. As I got older and even had the chance to teach kids, I found myself using the same tactic. One of those games is Papa’s Bakeria, where players make pies while managing orders in a timely manner, or else the customers get mad and sometimes confrontational, just like in real life. It may feel like running a chaotic little pie shop, but along the way, kids who once hated math and want nothing to do with it start practicing counting, timing, and other math skills without even realizing it. I think that is the beauty of video games. They can take a subject someone dislikes and somehow make it fun, letting them see it in a whole new light. Or maybe I am overthinking it, and making pies is just as wonderful as eating them.

— Andrew S., Asst Producer

 

Planting Good Vibes
This week, I find myself thinking back on childhood days in the garden. Being outside with a small shovel, cracking through that top layer of dirt while the sun sat warm on my back. The soil had a smell I couldn’t really explain back then. Still can’t, honestly. But something about knowing a tiny seed could eventually change the whole look of a yard made it feel worth doing. That feeling stuck. It probably shapes why a day like this still lands for me the way it does, as a quiet reminder that adding something small and beautiful to a shared space is rarely a wasted effort, even if it’s just one flower in a pot sitting next to your monitor.

For a lot of long-time RO players, Midgard seems to scratch that same itch in its own way. The soft town colors, the flower gear, the way a crowded Prontera can somehow feel more like a garden than a lobby. RO has always been a little unusual in how it holds two things at once: the min-maxing, the build theory, the damage math on one side, and on the other, genuinely tender little moments. Meeting someone in a pretty map. Lining up a screenshot under the cherry trees. Sending a blossom emote because words felt like too much.
Plant a Flower Day doesn’t need to carry more weight than it actually has. It can just be a nudge. Log off for a bit, find some real dirt, plant something that’ll keep growing after today’s dailies reset.

— Mace T., Project Manager

 

 

That’s all for now. Thanks for stopping by.
Have a great week and see you next time!

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Scheduled Maintenance Notice

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Scheduled Maintenance Notice

Adventurers, we will perform scheduled network maintenance on Thursday, March 5 from 11 AM to 2:00 PM PST, during which game servers and web services will be unavailable.

This maintenance window is planned to minimize disruption to your gameplay experience, and our operations team will work to restore all services as quickly and safely as possible.

During this period, you will not be able to log in, access web services, or manage account functions, so please plan your in‑game activities accordingly.

Maintenance timing is subject to change based on operational needs, and if the schedule shifts or the work is completed early, we will provide updated information through our official channels.

We acknowledge that service interruptions can be frustrating, and we appreciate your patience and continued support as we maintain and improve the stability of our infrastructure.

Thank you!

 

Give Us Feedback on Our Blog!

We’ve created a survey to help you leave your feedback on our blogs.
It’s short and easy to fill out with only two questions, so please take a look and help us!
https://forms.gle/o7iUjBYP7aShuEYd8