Melbourne International Games Week is back for another massive week in 2023, focusing on the culture, creativity and community of Australian games. This year’s events will take place between September 30th – October 6th.

As with the past years, there will be a range of events for both public and industry attendees. For both sides there, PAX Australia is the highlight of the week. Still, general members of the public can attend other things like ‘Cult of the Lamb Live,’ and industry members can look forward to celebrating Australian games at the Australian Game Developer Awards.

Minister for Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos said:

“Victoria is the heart of Australia’s games industry and Melbourne International Games Week celebrates the latest products, developments and opportunities in this fast growing, and much loved, industry sector.“

Here are all the events taking place during MIGW that have been announced so far.

High Score brings together music creators and game developers to explore the important role that audio and sound plays in game design and experience. Anyone who would like to learn more about game audio and composition is welcome.

ACMI will be a central programming hub throughout Melbourne International Games Week, with unique live events and activations to experience across the festival period.

Games Connect Asia Pacific (GCAP) is Australia’s premier professional development and networking event for the game development industry, focused on up-skilling and connecting the Australian sector via education, knowledge sharing and the provision of extended personal and business networks. GCAP caters to a range of disciplines and has grown and attracted an engaged audience and esteemed speakers from around the world.

The Australian Game Developer Awards (AGDAs) are a national event celebrating outstanding games and individual achievements by the Australian game development community.

ACMI’s Women and Non-Binary Gamers Club is an online monthly meetup for women, gender non-conforming, trans and non-binary folks to get together and share their love of games in a safe and inclusive environment.

For one day only, Play Now Melbourne will take over the State Library of Victoria to connect some of the world’s biggest publishers and game platform giants with the nation’s most exciting game makers during Melbourne International Games Week.

Parallels is a one-night-only showcase of some of the most experimental, personal, and culturally significant work being made right now. For over 19 years, Freeplay has been exploring the vital margins of games culture, uncovering emerging and exceptional makers, from bedroom coders to artists pushing at the boundaries of the artform. Join us as our speakers demonstrate and play their creations on stage while sharing their origin stories, creative inspirations and professional journeys.

Cult of the Lamb Live projects Massive Monster’s award-winning Melbourne-made game onto the ACMI cinema screen with newly arranged live accompaniment by musicians from Orchestra Victoria, joined on stage by soundtrack designer, musician and composer River Boy (Narayana Johnson).

PAX Aus is the biggest celebration of gaming and gaming culture in Australia! Three massive days featuring thought-provoking panels, a massive expo hall filled with the best publishers and independent studios, new game demos, musical performances, tournaments, and a community experience unlike any other.

The Australian Game Developer Awards (AGDAs) are a national event celebrating outstanding games and individual achievements by Australian game developers. Spanning 13 game categories, the AGDAs elevate and celebrate our diverse and talented local games Industry.

Come to The Edge in Fed Square for the thrilling Mario King of Kart Tournament – an action-packed evening that will pit 32 competitors against one another as they play Mario Kart Deluxe 8 on the Nintendo Switch and vie for the coveted title of ‘King of Kart Champion’.