It’s been a hard few years for PAX Australia, which very nearly returned to being an in-person event in 2021 before the latest wave of coronavirus forced live events into a tailspin. Since 2020, the show has been online only, preventing gaming pals from really getting together and chatting about their fandom – but that’s all set to change this October.
As announced on Twitter, PAX Australia will return to the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 7-9 October 2022.
It will take place at the end of Melbourne International Games Week 2022 (MIGW), which kicks off on 1 October 2022.
‘Melbourne International Games Week celebrates Victoria’s thriving games industry, showcases our local talent and capability, and connects industry leaders from across the globe,’ Danny Pearson, Victorian Minister for Creative Industries said in a press release.
‘The Victorian Government has been proud to back our digital games sector as part of our $191.5 million VICSCREEN strategy, and Melbourne International Games Week is the ideal way to get involved, discover the power of games, and have fun!’
With vaccination rates now very high, and hospitalisations from coronavirus decreasing, this year’s event seems very likely to go ahead. While the same was said about last year, and plans were ultimately derailed, there’s plenty of reasons to hope for better.
As we head towards that ‘new normal’ of ‘living’ with coronavirus, the return of in-person events like PAX Australia and MIGW is a very welcome relief. It’s likely this year’s many shows will still be subject to coronavirus restrictions, but there’s hope the later half of the year will require a bit less vigilance.
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So far, no information about tickets has been released, but you should stay tuned to the official PAX Australia Twitter and the MIGW Twitter to learn more about the week-long showcase.
If you’re planning on heading down to Melbourne, it’s a good idea to start considering your options. You may want to take annual leave, as PAX Australia suggests, or to work your schedule around one of the biggest weeks for Australian gamers and game developers.
PAX Australia 2022 arrives after a long two-year absence, and is likely to be a massive celebration in light of everything we’ve been through during the pandemic years. Keep an eye on information about show tickets here, and stay tuned to the MIGW Twitter in August for a full 2022 program reveal.
This article has been updated with new information about Melbourne International Games Week 2022 and how it ties into PAX Australia.
