PAX East 2026 presented an unparalleled and long-awaited opportunity: my participation in the Omegathon.

After submitting my interest this year, I was finally called to be an Omeganaut, competing in three games and a mystery fourth game. I answered the phone when it rang, said "YES!", signed the contract, and revealed that I had placed second in the region's Nintendo World Championships in 1990, and I was looking forward to reclaiming my glory.

"I did not know I was calling a ringer when I called you," replied Travis Eriksen, executive director of Child's Play and Omegathon coordinator. I had all the confidence in the world.

… Then I was informed the first game would be Rocket League.

I hate Rocket League. Cars are the absolute worst way to play soccer, and I failed to see any of the appeal. I knew I'd be knocked out in the first round, failing to progress to Codenames, Jumping Jazz Cats, and whatever the final round would be.

(Fun fact: Travis hates Rocket League, too, and had railed for years against it being a part of the Omegathon. My luck that this was the year he lost that battle.)

Nonetheless, I redownloaded the game and practiced, both the week before and the day of on my Switch. The 32 Omeganauts were being paired into 16 teams, and I didn't want to let my teammate down.

When game time came, I successfully scored a goal! But I also permitted more goals than I made, and my team failed to progress to the second round.

I'm slightly heartened that the team that beat me ultimately won the final round, which was Super Battle Golf. Clearly we lost to the superior opponent!

I competed in many other fun tournaments this year: Fire Tower, Azul, and Codenames (twice! Got knocked out in a first round, then made it to the final round), in the tabletop area; and TowerFall, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, F-Zero 99, Balatro, and Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition in the console and handheld areas. I did as poorly as I expected in most of them — and as awesome as expected in the Nintendo World Championships, placing first.

Seems my promise to Travis came true, after all!

That small win, losing at the Omegathon, and meeting Cissy Jones (Firewatch's Delilah), were the highlights of this year. Enjoy those moments and others in the below photos!

Waiting for our Omegathon orientation.PAX East 2026 Omegathon: Rocket LeagueI made it to the first round of the Omegathon!… and no further. ?“You think I need an AI summary of the things i do for fun with the people I love? What the fuck?" —TaylorAnjali: “My career is ‘SQUIRREL’!”“I really like dopamine.” —Cissy JonesCissy Jones, the voice actor who plays Delilah in Firewatch!This captivating, rotating statue greeted all entrants in the main lobby.“It’s a legitimate choice to be less good at games.” -Dr. Elizabeth KilmerA very strange poster for this vendor to sport.Matthew Kroll & Jenna StoeberDeath Stranding 2, Persona 5, Celeste, Control, Until Dawn, GTA V https://east.paxsite.com/en-us/schedule/schedule-item.html?gtID=927251&panel-name=But-is-it-Ethical-Therapy-in-Games-13-and-Hylians know how to accessorize!Worcester vs. Syracuse minor league baseball at Pink TacoScreenshotI came in first place in the Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition tournament for Switch!Geekgirlstrong.comWell, this isn't terrifying. ?Leila, a three-month-old blue heeler/Jack Russell mix we met at Pressed Cafe.Leila, a three-month-old blue heeler/Jack Russell mix we met at Pressed Cafe.Leila, a three-month-old blue heeler/Jack Russell mix we met at Pressed Cafe.PAX East 2026The post PAX East 2026 photos first appeared on Gamebits.