Your Melbourne International Games Week sorted

This year marks 10 years of Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW), showcasing the best of local and international games over its jam-packed program in October.

MIGW is open to everyone from all walks of life, whilst simultaneously serving up vital industry opportunities for game creators from budding developers to the world’s best publishers and distributors. Check out the full program of MIGW events here, or follow our lead and check out the below list of MIGW highlights.
 

Event: PAX Aus

MIGW wouldn’t be what it is without its tentpole event PAX. PAX Aus is a three-day gaming bonanza packed with expert panel discussions, new game demos, top publishers, indie studios, tournaments, live music, and an unmatched community vibe. VicScreen-supported games at PAX Aus 2024 include: Draculesti, Matchmaker Dungeon Heart, Spies & Soldiers, Blaktasia, Death of a Partisan, Hissy Fit, Skier’s Landing, Omochapon, My Arms are Longer Now, Pixel Starships 2, Archery Pro and Neon Squad Tactics. Luckily you can still snap up a ticket for PAX Aus here.

Date:  PAX Aus runs from 11 - 13 October 

Location: Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre (MCEC) 

 

Event: Play Now Melbourne 

In October 2023, VicScreen launched the inaugural Play Now Melbourne games market, uniting local developers with the biggest and best publishers, platform holders, and investors from around the world. Over $25 million in games projects were showcased, offering local talent a chance to pitch their games to the global market. As Australia's premier games market, Play Now Melbourne secures the city’s spot on the international games calendar during MIGW alongside Gamescom in Cologne and Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco.

This year, on 10 October, an even bigger presentation of Australia’s most exciting new game projects, and the talented teams behind them, will pitch their concepts to leading global publishers and platform holders such as Devolver Digital, Raw Fury and ID@Xbox. You can get a look into all the excitement happening on the day, by following Play Now Melbourne on Instagram and X.

Date and Location: This is a closed event.

 

Event: Big Games Night Out

Big Games Night Out (BGNO) returns to Fed Square this October and will feature the global premiere of VicScreen-supported Blaktasia: Invasion of The Murk by Aboriginal-led studio GUCK, and a celebration of VicScreen-supported Crossy Road's 10th anniversary from local studio Hipster Whale at the main square.

This free, all-ages celebration of gaming culture features live music, projections, DJs, delicious food and spectacular presentation of cosplay, as well as opportunities for punters to play and compete in a wide range of arcade, indie titles, e-sports, tabletop, and roleplaying games. VicScreen-supported games on display in The Atrium Games Zone include The Adventures of Dolly, Wood & Weather, Letters to Aralla, Heavenly Bodies and Gubbins. There’s a lot on offer at BGNO, check out the full program here.

Date: 3pm – late on Thursday 10 October

Location: Federation Square

 

Event: Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition at ACMI

Step into the playful world of the iconic slapstick video game, VicScreen-supported Untitled Goose Game. This hands-on exhibit features exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into how Melbourne videogame company House House reached international success and acclaim with their naughty goose game. Suitable for the whole family, as well as catering to those with specialist knowledge of the game interested in critical design details and intricate technical elements, ACMI’s exhibit is free to drop in between 10am-5pm daily.

Date: Tuesday 17 September 2024 – Sunday 16 February 2025

Location: ACMI, Gallery 3, Ground Floor ACMI, Fed Square.

 

Event: Unholy Matrimony: Cult of the Lamb Wedding Rituals

Massive Monster is hosting two legally binding Cult of the Lamb inspired weddings with two couples tying the knot in a life-size replica of the game's iconic temple. The ceremonies are open to all PAX attendees with no tickets required for enthusiastic spectators of these unique nuptials! Fans can also check out Massive Monster’s extravagant Cult of the Lamb booth on Friday and Saturday (11 and 12 October) for panels, demos of the latest game updates, and exclusive Cult of the Lamb merch. Whatever you do, don’t miss these unholy matrimonies.

Date: 11am - 3pm on Sunday 13 October  

Location: Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre (MCEC) as part of PAX.

 

Event: Greening the Screen

Videogames meet nature at Greening the Screen. Join the team in a spirited afternoon of exploration and experimentation in game making as a way of engaging with the environment. You can also get the inside scoop and an exclusive look at this new VicScreen-supported game in development from Weird Flex Studio at Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens. Chat with developers, artists and garden staff and immerse yourself in the great outdoors. Greening the Screen is open to all—families, gamers, and anyone curious about blending tech with the natural world. This event is free and perfect for MIGW attendees seeking a refreshing outdoor experience. 

Date: 1 - 4pm on Thursday 10 October 

Location: White Oak Lawn at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Enter via Oak Lawn Gate, Birdwood Avenue. 

 

Event: Australian Game Developer Awards or AGDAs

The Australian Game Developer Awards (AGDAs) is the night of all nights in Australian gaming, celebrating top games and standout talent across 13 game awards, four personal and studio awards, and a bespoke award category. This year, VicScreen is sponsoring the Excellence in Accessibility award, for outstanding achievement in the field of accessibility, impact and inclusion. Four VicScreen-supported titles are also in the running for top prizes at this year’s AGDAs including Conscript, Neon Squad Tactics, Crossy Road, and Sims FreePlay. Purchase your AGDAs tickets here.

Date: 9 October, 2024

Location: The Forum Melbourne 

 

Event: Freeplay: Parallels

This year marks the tenth instalment of Parallels; a showcase of heartfelt and insightful talks by independent game makers alongside playable installations of their experimental works.

Amongst the talks, you can hear from Olivia Haines and Andy Brophy, developers of the VicScreen supported Knuckle Sandwich and Surf Club; and in the playable exhibit, experience Toot Games' My Arms Are Longer Now.

Don’t miss this milestone of 10 years of Parallels with 10 talks and 10 playable games in this new expanded format! You can grab your tickets here.

Date: 6pm - 11:55pm Thursday 10 October

Location: Melbourne Town Hall, 90/130 Swanston St, Melbourne

 

Melbourne International Games Weeks runs from 3 – 13 October at venues across the city. For the full line-up of events, explore the program here.