Experience cursed villages steeped in Eastern mythology, sunlit glades embracing your tranquil homestead, the boundless expanse of deep space and the fiery pits of Inferno. This is just a glimpse of what awaits attendees as part of the PAX Aus 2024 Indie Showcase.

PAX Aus is thrilled to announce the winners selected as part of this year’s Aus Indie Showcase, all created by independent developers from across the country.

Due to the high volume and quality of this year’s entries, the Aus Indie Showcase will feature an unprecedented 12 winners, with a perfect split across digital and tabletop developers represented.

The six winners of the Digital PAX Aus 2024 Indie Showcase category are:

•  Max Mustard by Toast Interactive follows a fearless protagonist on a heroic quest to rescue adorable mudpups from the clutches of the devious Stubbins. Combining the best first-person power-ups with the timeless charm of classic third-person platforming, players will venture through immersive landscapes, facing tough challenges, unexpected twists and moral dilemmas, forcing you to make difficult decisions that will shape the course of your journey.
• Untethered by True Anomaly Entertainment finds players stranded in deep space with a mission to survive against all odds. Players should be prepared to be immersed with sound, sights and in-game mechanics while they scavenge from the wreckage, process resources and build their own space station – a refuge in the most hostile of environments.
• Anticitizen: Red by Queebly Software uses bullet time, a variety of movement mechanics and an improvised arsenal to outwit and outgun biker gangs and corporate police in an American-occupied cyberpunk Australia. Players will meet a unique cast of Aussie battlers while diving into the lore of the new American empire.
  
• Ascending Inferno by Oppolyon Studios is not for the faint of heart (or rage quitters) as it will challenge players to master the art of precision platforming as they dribble, header, juggle and kick their way through various layers of Inferno to save their sibling Vincent, a recently deceased soccer player. Thank heavens he’s conveniently shaped like a soccer ball…
• Rita by SporkTank  is a charming word-based puzzle adventure where crossword puzzles and cozy rpg worlds collide. Players will explore, collect, solve, converse and platform their way as loveable chicklet, Rita.
• The Rewinder 2 by Misty Mountain Studio is an action-adventure game inspired by Eastern mythology, allowing players to explore cursed villages and dungeons, solve crimes, unlock new skills and meet all sorts of ghosts and monsters along the way.

Felix Wei, founder of Misty Mountain Studio says, “Game development is a long and difficult journey, so being recognised in this capacity is a huge encouragement for our small team. Being part of the PAX Aus Indie Showcase also gives us a great opportunity to showcase our project to thousands and potentially millions of audiences. We are truly honoured and thrilled.”

The six winners of the Tabletop PAX Aus 2024 Indie Showcase category are:

• Fight With Spirit by Storybrewers Roleplaying is a sports drama RPG about a team growing up together and fighting for their passion. In this game, players will hone their skills, face down rivals and strive to take their team to the national championships in a sport of their choice. With choices ranging from volleyball to Quidditch, there is a sport for everyone.
• Oracle by Oracle Games is a thrilling blend of deduction and betrayal. In this card game, each player is given a secret role card with the objective of eliminating specific players on it. No one knows who is who, so players must deduce who they are through observation alone or face the consequences!
  
• Glade by Teafrog Games is a cozy tabletop game that tasks players to create a mystic garden around their ‘homestead’ that outscores their opponents. You might find yourself growing Bogwanders and Dazzlebushes, Brambledarts or Swaddlevines.
• Frayed Ally by Button Fox invites players into the untamed streets of Sewer City, where the echo of clashing weapons and the stench of burning magic fill the alleyways. Plan your strategy as a fierce battle royale unfolds!
• Nimbus by Neural Forge is an abstract, high-strategy, dynamic board game where the goal is to eliminate your opponent’s Nimbus piece. Change the movement mode of one of your pieces every turn, resulting in an ever-changing, challenging tactical experience.
• MEAN! by Mean Games is a fast-paced card game filled with fun, strategy and sabotage. An epic showdown of sly moves, MEAN! introduces an all-new style of clear-your-hand gameplay driven by “Card Direction”, where cards are played either going up or going down in value. Special cards can be used to change the direction to block rivals, force strategic hand swaps or wield the mighty MEAN! card to punish frenemies and take them down.

Justin Porter, Co-Founder of Mean Games says, “As indie game makers, the visibility that the PAX Aus Indie Showcase provides is invaluable. To be recognised as a Showcase Winner gives us an opportunity we would never have had otherwise to share our game with this incredible community.”

Attendees can get immersed in the PAX Aus Indie Showcase as part of PAX Aus 2024, which will take place on October 11-13 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). For more information and badges, visit the official website