HARRISBURG, PA — A diverse group of students from Harrisburg University of Science & Technology (HU) once again attended PAX Unplugged, a rapidly growing convention in the tabletop gaming and role-playing games (RPG) scene.
Four students and one instructor from IMED 315: Tabletop Game Design Studio traveled to Philadelphia for two days of the event: Khaliq Hatmal ‘27, Tony DaRe ‘26, Joshua Scott (Game Design majors), and Elias Thompson ‘26 (Advanced Manufacturing major) joined Assistant Professor of Game Studies & Design, Greg Loring-Albright, Ph.D.
Tabletop Game Design Studio, co-taught by Professor Tony Ortega, more than doubled its enrollment since last year. In the course, students play, analyze, and create their own board game or card game, which they then present to the public at playtesting events held at the University – and for the four who were selected to receive funding for the trip, to the thousands of designers, publishers, and board gaming enthusiasts who attend PAX Unplugged.
The trip this year was funded by external corporate partners, Rio Grande Games and Leder Games, each of whom donated money directly to the class’s travel fund.
“By partnering with these companies, we give them a stake in our work here at the University,” said Professor Loring-Albright. “Their generosity means that our students can continue to partake in what is becoming an annual tradition, and ensures that the upcoming generations have interest in and experience with the professional side of the board gaming hobby.”
The students met with a variety of board gaming professionals over their two days at the convention, from game manufacturing professionals like Panda Game Manufacturing’s Jay Bell to Leder Games’ senior developer, Nick Brachmann, to a variety of publisher representatives and fellow game designers who came through the Unpub area.
Unpub – Unpublished Games Network – is a nonprofit organization that helps the tabletop community build better games through playtesting events, mentorship, and education programs. Unpub graciously donated a table for the length of the convention, allowing students to join professional and amateur game designers in a space dedicated to playtesting, feedback, and development of professional networks.
Khaliq Hatmal said, “Having a chance to share my work with others – players and professionals alike – was an opportunity I will not forget. Publishers who showed interest in the game I created were incredibly insightful in helping me on the path to success.”
In addition to doing the work of pitching their games, running playtests, taking notes, and gathering feedback, the students made time for fun, including a class dinner of Korean-style corn-dogs, strolls through the streets of center city Philadelphia, and time spent in the bustling convention expo hall buying, playing, and learning about the latest board games.
PAX Unplugged is an annual tradition for students at Harrisburg University, bringing together learners from diverse programs like Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics, Game Design, and Interactive Media. Learn more about these programs at HarrisburgU.edu or start a conversation with the Admissions Team today.
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ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University was recognized by US News & World Report as one of the nation’s most innovative colleges for 2025. HU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, nursing, and other health science fields. For additional information about HU’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
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