For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Oona, I’m an e-fairy vtuber, games journalist, indie game developer, and Melbourne local. I go to PAX every year, and I love it every year. However, this year is a little different because I’ll be attending on behalf of Sweet & Spicy with a media pass!

Last year, despite not officially being media personnel, I wrote a roundup of my favourite highlights from the convention. It’s where I met the developers from indie studios Cactus Jam Games and Too Many Teeth, who produced Every Hue of You and The Many Deaths of Lily Kosen, respectively – both games I then went on to stream upon release.

This year, I’m hoping to meet more indie game developers and shine a spotlight on some local talent. I’ll be prioritising visual novels and other story-driven games, but I’ll also be attending some panels and events while I’m there that cover a range of interests, including streaming and game development.

What is PAX Aus?

PAX is a festival for gamers to celebrate gaming culture. First held in Seattle in 2004, PAX connects the world’s leading game publishers with their most avid and influential fans. The first international PAX was held in Melbourne in 2013, and has since become Australia’s largest gaming festival.

The festival typically spans over several sections of the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, including several theatres for panels, expo halls, and more secluded spaces for when the crowds get to be too much.

This year marks the 10 year anniversary of PAX first arriving in Melbourne, and the organisers are going all out with the celebrations! There are too many events and showcases to list in full here, so if you’re curious about the major events for this year, you can find all the details over at the PAX website.

What am I excited for?

I may not be able to list every feature of PAX in their entirety here, but there are a few highlights I’m especially looking forward to that I wanted to share…

Centre Of Digital Excellence (CODE)

CODE is the New Zealand Centre of Digital Excellence – a Dunedin-based hub designed to support a sustainable and equitable expansion of New Zealand’s video game development industry. They’re coming to PAX with a booth to celebrate local NZ studios and their games, and I can’t wait to test some of the games in their showcase!

I particular, I have my eye on Shelflife: Art School Detective, a mystery adventure game where you befriend and investigate seven potential suspects to unmask the mysterious ‘art killer’ who’s been terrorising your campus. I love story-driven games, indie games, local games, and LGBTQ+ games – and Shelflife: Art School Detective is all of the above!

If any of those titles catch your eye and you want to check them out, CODE NZ will be available at Booth 1140!

PAX Rising

One of the highlights from 2022 was definitely PAX Rising – a showcase of indie games, including those developed locally. I can’t wait to see the games being featured this year! I’ll try to get my greedy little gamer hands on as many demos as possible, then write up a highlights post after the event to shine a spotlight on my favourites.

When is PAX?

PAX Aus 2023 will take place at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from Fri 6 Oct – Sun 8 Oct, 2023. You can check out the official website for a full list of features, panels, and special guests – and buy your last minute badges: here.

I’ll be attending Friday and Saturday, and I’ll keep you updated on which panels and events I’ll be going to via Twitter and Discord, so be sure to follow me there to stay in the loop. If you’re also going – feel free to say hi! I’d love to meet any fellow otome / twitch fans ♥

Thank You

~☆ Patrons ☆~

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