More than 80,000 gamers to descend on Melbourne

Tens of thousands of gamers across the country are packing their bags, ready to spawn in Melbourne for PAX Australia 2025. 

Now in its 12th year, the country's biggest gaming festival is promising its largest show yet, with more exhibitors, more live events, and a booming tabletop presence.

"It's hard to compare it to previous years because it changes all the time," organiser Harry Askew told 9news.com.au.

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"Each show is unique, because certain exhibitors change and there's always new tech to see. But 2025 is certainly bigger and louder than ever."

Askew said the lead-up has been running smoothly. 

"For something you'd expect to be stressful, it's just ticking along," he said.

"We're expecting more people, tickets are selling faster, Saturday's already sold out, and we've had to dedicate more space than ever to tabletop."

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This year's expo hall will feature a packed lineup of major publishers and local studios, including Nintendo, Xbox, Devolver Digital, Massive Monster, Bethesda, The Sims, and more than 20 tech brands. 

"This is Australia's first chance to play the Xbox ROG Ally," Askew added.

"I'm very excited to play that — hopefully I get five minutes to do it!" he said. 

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The typically plain Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre cafe kiosks are set to be transformed into Bethesda-themed eateries, including a Red Rocket Diner and a Vault-Tec Cafe, bringing the hugely popular world of Fallout to life for hungry attendees.

Indie game developers are also bringing the fun, with dozens of locally made titles available to play before they release. 

Beyond the expo floor, PAX's live event lineup is equally stacked.

Among the dozens of panels, keynote speaker Gavin Verhey (Wizards of the Coast) is presenting on Friday, there's an Elder Scrolls Online Live Adventure hosted by Rich Lambert, Sucker Punch Productions and PlayStation are hosting a behind-the-scenes look at Ghost of Yōtei, and there's a fireside chat with Joshua Mills, Game Director of Rainbow Six Siege — just to name a few.

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Esports fans will have plenty to cheer for, too. 

The Rainbow Six Siege Asia qualifiers will see eight of the region's best teams face off for a shot at the next major, with $70,000 and four qualification spots on the line.

PAX Aus is set to host the biggest live Rainbow Six Siege event ever held in Australia.

Askew said what keeps him going each year is seeing the excitement on the show floor. 

"Seeing the reactions, seeing the people, meeting their favourite voice actors. It's wonderful," he said. 

"For me, honestly, I spend my entire year planning for PAX — then the day after, I'm already planning for the next one."

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For Askew, the heart of PAX remains unchanged.

"It's a place to feel safe, be yourself and have fun," he said.

PAX also caps off Melbourne International Games Week, which sees thousands more video game lovers flood into the city from around the world to see Australia's impact on the industry. 

PAX Australia will be held at Melbourne's Convention and Exhibition Centre from October 10-12 2025.

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