With the second annual PAX Aus 2014 only a week away (31st October until 2nd November), the countdown is now on for one of the most-anticipated gaming events in Australia.
2014 has seen the Australian leg of the Penny Arcade eXpo move to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. With a capacity increase of almost 40 percent, the much needed extra space is being utilised to its full potential as every kind of pass is either sold-out or almost sold-out.
PAX AUS 2014 will feature more than 100 panels and guests housed across six massive theatres that will host everything from demos, Q&As, concerts, and much, much more. The three-day schedule features a variety of panels that cover everything from live-action role playing through to queer representation in video games, tournaments of all your favourite (and some you haven’t heard of) video and tabletop games, and those famous gaming guests that you can't wait to make a fool of yourself in front of (stay cool man, it's only the creator of the game that changed your life).
PAX Aus 2013 Image © Rachel BarnesVice President of PR and Marketing at Bethesda Softworks, Pete Hines, will be kicking off PAX AUS 2014 at the keynote on Friday morning. Hines has 15 years of experience working on franchises such as ‘The Elder Scrolls’, ‘Fallout’ and now ‘Wolfenstein’. He has played practically every role when it comes to the making of a video game, and there is no doubt this keynote is one panel you will not want to miss.
Gearbox Software is returning to PAX AUS in 2014 and promises a behind-the-scenes look at Gearbox as well as their latest news. If you loved ‘Borderlands’, ‘Battleborn’ and ‘Homeworld Remastered’ then this is your chance to get exclusive and never-before-seen reveals and surprises before anyone else.
You will also have a chance to meet the team behind Australian ESports — the Australian ESports Association (AESA). As the official standing member of the International Electronic Sports Federation, the AESA is in charge of representing Australia on the global committee and sends Australian representatives to the annual IESF World Championships. ESports popularity continues to grow massively worldwide as the number of competitive games increase. From ‘Dota 2’, ‘StarCraft 2’, ‘Hearthstone’, ‘Street Fighter’, ‘Tekken’ and more. Find out what is happening next in Australian ESports.
‘Magic: The Gathering’ were massively popular at PAX AUS 2013, with their panel having to turn people away. If you are interested in finding out the latest news about the world's best strategy-trading card game, you simply cannot miss this panel. The director of MTG R&D, Aaron Forsythe, will join the team to showcase upcoming products, talk about future events, and possibly even give fans a preview or two.
Comedy trio Tripod will headline PAX Aus' first night of concerts with a premiere of their upcoming show, 'This Gaming Life'. The team from Australia's favourite gaming show, ‘Good Game’, will also be taking the stage twice over the weekend.
Bajo and Hex will be joined by film critic and presenter, Marc Fennell, along with other guests as they discuss gaming's impact on the rise of Twitch and YouTube celebrities. The team will also be hosting a Q&A and a signing session.
And, of course, Penny Arcade founders Gabe (Mike Krahulik) and Tycho (Jerry Holkins) will be at the event over the three days, hosting their usual Q&As and Make a Strip!
Gabe and Tycho at PAX Aus 2013 Image © Rachel BarnesBut, we all know PAX is about much more than the panels. The expo hall and tabletop/ PC/ console/ handheld gaming areas are back and begging your wallet to enter. Whoever you are and whatever you like, you will find something you want to spend all your money on, and you will play a game you fall in love with.
PAX Aus 2013 Image © Rachel BarnesMicrosoft is back with an Xbox booth, but there is no sign of Sony this year. Ubisoft, 2k, Origin and Oculus all have booths at the event. Wargaming is back and they’re going to have to find a way to top their tank of 2013. LOL is returning and, with its continuous growth, its booth is set to be impossibly more popular than last year.
Ultimately, PAX has been, and will always be, about the community. People come from all over the world, united by their passion for gaming. PAX promises to bring you new friendships, amazing stories that leave you wishing it would never end (or PAX Aus 2015 would hurry up), and three days of gaming heaven.
