Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is hosting Games Connect Asia Pacific (GCAP), which kicked off yesterday and wraps up tomorrow, for around 1,200 delegates involved in game development.
And from Friday to Sunday, the centre will host PAX Australia, the nation’s largest gaming festival, which had a record 23,000 attendees in 2022.
PAX Australia will occupy 17 of MCEC’s exhibition bays, the centre’s entire plenary and multiple breakout spaces around the venue.
“We are thrilled to host major events during Melbourne International Games Week, bringing together industry leaders and gaming enthusiasts from around the world to celebrate gaming culture,” said MCEC’s chief executive, Natalie O’Brien AM.
“We look forward to welcoming many visitors across the week and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of PAX.
“MCEC is a premier hub for engaging in culture, sharing ideas and knowledge, and we’re dedicated to providing the perfect stage for innovation and unforgettable experiences.”
The value of the digital game industry to Australia is currently over $3 billion, with 85 per cent of gaming studios based in Melbourne.
MCEC has hosted PAX Australia for the last eight years and GCAP since 2011, with virtual events during the first two years of the pandemic.
However, later this month, Sydney will be throwing its hat in the ring to attract Australia and APAC’s gaming focus, with the first South by Southwest (SXSW) Sydney including the SXSW Sydney Games Festival running October 18-22, which pull in some major international talent from the gaming sphere.
