Naoki “Yoshi-P” Yoshida, the legendary game designer behind Final Fantasy XIV and Final Fantasy XVI, will kick off PAX West 2025 with this year’s highly anticipated Storytime keynote. The event takes place at the Seattle Convention Center from Friday, August 29, through Monday, September 1, 2025.
Known for revitalizing Square Enix’s MMO legacy and ushering in one of the best modern Final Fantasy games, Yoshi-P will share stories and insight from over 30 years in the games industry. Fans, developers, and industry hopefuls alike can expect a heartfelt and eye-opening talk from one of the most respected figures in gaming.
But that’s not all, as the celebrations won’t stop with just the keynote. This year’s PAX West lineup features exclusive panels, voice actor appearances, and community events.
Here’s what else you can look forward to:
Fireside Chat: A Game Design Group Chat Featuring Seasoned Game Creators
Yoshida returns for a special session alongside a surprise guest for a candid conversation on game design. Expect deep dives into the creative process, the highs and lows of development, and what it takes to build iconic games. The time and date for this panel haven’t been revealed yet.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Panel – Saturday, August 30 at noon PT
Celebrate the success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 with a panel hosted by Ben Starr (Verso) and joined by members of the game’s voice and motion capture team. Dive into how the game’s characters were brought to life and hear behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the team.
Marvel Rivals Voice Actor Meet & Greets – All Four Days
Voice talent from Marvel Rivals will be available throughout the weekend for autographs and photos. Meet Mara Junot (Storm), Erik Braa (Moon Knight), and Jordan Reynolds (Adam Warlock) and celebrate the voices behind the action.
With these announcements, it’s clear that PAX West 2025 is shaping up to be one that fans of these talents and games will not want to miss. We’ll be on hand to cover the event and enjoy ourselves, of course.
Stay tuned for the full schedule, panel streams, and more announcements as PAX West 2025 approaches.
