Every October, the air is alive and buzzing with excitement at the MKAU headquarters; it could only mean our annual PAX trip is upon us and we get to unite with our own community but also with others in the business.

Every convention and what it has to offer is important to us, but PAX is the pinnacle of gaming content in Australia, since the collapse of most conventions strictly gaming-orientated. So, with our bags packed, we flew down to Melbourne, for some, our first PAX, but one of many for MKAU as a crew.

“If you love games, you’ll find a home at PAX”, in the words of the PAX website, I couldn’t say it better myself. Gaming is that safe place for a lot of people, an escape into a different world and PAX is one convention that is literally like stepping into another dimension. Including the smell of sweat, neon signage, wide-eyed faces, and loud, animated conversations in lines, PAX encompasses everything gaming is about; bringing people together.

At conventions, there is always some sort of sense of community. Whether it be gaming, cosplay, nerdy pop culture, or even just a curious civilian, we all belong to some sort of group, and you can find it all here. At PAX, as a gamer, it is just so comforting to be a part of this community. With their iconic sign displaying ‘Welcome Home,’ the statement really does encapsulate the overall experience that is PAX AUS 2023.

So, what is a ‘PAX’?

Originating in America as the famous ‘Penny Arcade’, in 2004, and having been on the golden shores of Melbourne for a few years now, it is one of Australia’s biggest gaming conventions. This 3-day celebration of anything in the world of gaming culture has everything, from retro appreciation, tabletop play, cosplay, up-and-coming new releases, tournaments, and panels.

This is our experience of this weekend;

Starting our time on a Thursday, the day before the official inaugural opening of PAX AUS 2023, our own ‘Melekharn’ attended the Bethesda Elder Scrolls Online Community Party. Here, the community celebrated all things Elder Scrolls, a universe thriving with lore and wonder.

This banquet stepped you straight into Necrom and Hermaeus Mora’s realm of Apocrypha with stylish platters of food and drink straight from the game itself. It was a fun-filled evening where Simon Alty, the VP and Managing Director of Bethesda APAC, and Rich Lambert, the Creative Director at Zenimax Online Studios, welcomed us all back to Melbourne for another year of PAX Australia celebrations.

For a Friday; a work day, the halls of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre were alive with the buzz of excitement. Even with early access to the hall floor on Friday, booths were energetically primping and adding final touches to their displays ready for the influx. The floor was enormous and well-spaced this year, with every booth, stall, stage and rigging immaculately set out.

While our crew captured the floor during the media hour, I made my way over to Bethesda’s ‘Brushes and Brews,’ a community event that allows fans to enjoy all things Bethesda. Led by our artist expert ‘Sen,’ we got to sip our drink of choice as we (I can say for everyone there) attempted to recreate a painting of 808 from the popular title, ‘Hi-Fi Rush’. Such a great idea and memento of PAX.

Next, we had a booth walkthrough with Republic Of Gamers, where they explained they were approaching a new type of customer as they showed off their new innovative handheld console, the ‘Ally’. Compatible with the past and the future, this handheld is a beast. Also, taking us through a range of cost-effective laptops, some with quick pivot screens and the new flow range that are so lightweight they weren’t on the showroom floor due to fear of being knocked to the ground. A very impressive showcase indeed and a definite indicator of why they have such a huge following that has put them on the map.

Shortly after this, Melekharn had to run out to meet up with Mark Bilder and Evan Jacover, the CEO and CTO of Jackbox Games, Inc. a Chicago-based studio famously known for their multiplayer party games – games we at MKAU know well. Having grown up playing “You Don’t Know Jack,” a party trivia game released in the mid-90s, Melekharn, accompanied by Alaisdair Leith from Novastream, were keen to discuss their history, and how they went from the educational entertainment company, “Learn Television,” to creating the Jackbox Party Games that we all know and love today.

To end the day, we attended the panel ‘The Year That Was PAX 2013’ with industry guests; Twitch Content Director Lewis Mitchell, IGEA’s Raelene Knowles, Managing Director of Bethesda Simon Alty, Studio Director of League of Geeks Trent Kusters, and hosted by Content Creator Steph ‘Galaxy’ August. Here they reminisced about their favourite and not-so-favourite memories of the first-ever PAX back in 2012 and how far the industry has come in the ten years since. It was a joy to sit through their experiences and nod along to how innovative gaming in Australia has become.

Saturday, Melekharn interviewed Nadim Haddad, the Games Designer from Paris-based developer, Pastagames, about their soon-to-be-released game, KarmaZoo, a game inspired by interactions in one of the strangest places. Who would have thought that a subway could spawn the basis of a cute little game about working together and spreading kindness. After being invited to attend the hands-on preview, it was exciting to meet Nadim and ask the big questions, and spending some time at the KarmaZoo display watching people queue up and play his game just went to prove that even strangers can help make someone else’s journey easier.

Sunday saw the crew attending a hands-on experience with the big players themself, Nintendo. Definitely one of the biggest booths at PAX with over 80 staff, Subzero2K, the Boss, Melekharn, and Chibi were able to get hands-on with a custom-built PAX demo of the soon-to-be-released Super Mario Bros. Wonder, with Kirsty from Nintendo offering some guidance to get the most out of the 15-minute experience, before being surprised with a quick hands-on demo for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, led by Ellie from Ubisoft.

Final Thoughts…

It was a very full-on weekend, and when we weren’t attending organised events, we were happily catching up with other influencers, media outlets, and anyone who wanted to stop and have a chat. We made some new friends, celebrated, and enjoyed the nightlife Melbourne has to offer. As tired and as sore as we all were, it was worth every moment.

PAX is always well organised, entertaining, and content-driven, and it still has the sort of atmosphere and community that the organiser endeavours to create. Overall, PAX AUS 2023 delivered a convention that had something for everyone. I can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store for this ever-growing industry. Once again, well played, see you next year Melbourne!

If you’d like to check out all our photos, cosplay, and highlight reels from PAX Australia 2023, you can do so below.