PAX East 2025 stands out as one of the gaming industry's most anticipated events. From blockbuster game reveals to insightful developer panels, this year's show brought together fans, creators, and major studios for a weekend packed with excitement and innovation. Let’s dive into the major highlights and emerging trends from PAX East 2025.
Among the headline announcements at PAX East 2025, Gearbox made waves with a major update for two of its fan-favorite franchises. During their main stage panel, Gearbox announced a new Risk of Rain 2 expansion alongside key details about Borderlands 4. The Risk of Rain 2 expansion, titled Alloyed Collective, introduces six new stages, 15 collectible items, and a variety of new enemies and playable survivors. What’s even better, only one member of your group needs to own this expansion for everyone to enjoy it together.
For Borderlands 4, Gearbox’s development team shed light on the game’s narrative direction and playable characters. The story takes vault hunters to the planet Kairos, promising the biggest world yet in the series. They also provided some much-anticipated updates about the Crimson Raiders and hinted at a larger ongoing story. Although the exact release date and pricing were not finalized at PAX East 2025, Gearbox’s panel gave fans plenty of reasons to be excited.
Visual presentations are a huge part of the PAX East experience. The reveal of the Risk of Rain 2: Alloyed Collective Announcement Trailer gave attendees a first look at stunning enemies and environments. The trailer showcased the roguelike platformer’s exhilarating cooperative gameplay and teased even more surprises for longtime fans. If you missed it, watching the trailer offers a great preview of the intense action and new content coming soon.
Gearbox was not the only highlight. PAX East 2025 featured a vibrant mix of AAA studios and indie showcases, offering something for every type of gamer. Developer Q&As provided rare opportunities for fans to engage directly with creators, gain insight into the creative process, and ask burning questions about upcoming releases and ongoing projects.
In addition to headline announcements, PAX East 2025 revealed emerging trends shaping the future of gaming. The event spotlighted collaborative multiplayer experiences, expansive narrative worlds, and a growing emphasis on accessibility and inclusivity. Attendees explored demos and early builds of highly anticipated games, and networked with industry professionals making waves behind the scenes.
Gearbox's Borderlands 4 session, in particular, addressed important topics like game pricing and development costs. Studio head Randy Pitchford emphasized the rising complexity of modern games and the industry's shifting business landscape, reflecting broader trends across the gaming world. Fans can expect pre-orders and further updates as the September release date for Borderlands 4 approaches.
For both hardcore gamers and industry observers, PAX East 2025 served as a reflection of where games—and the communities built around them—are headed. As developers unveil their latest creations and players gather for unforgettable experiences, events like PAX East remain at the heart of gaming culture.
For further reading on the major reveals and detailed breakdowns from the event, check out:
As the anticipation for future releases and industry developments grows, stay tuned for more updates and deep dives into all things gaming from PAX East and beyond!