The annual gaming convention of the year, PAX Australia (“PAX AUS”), is back again this weekend. The chance to play upcoming videogames, meet your favourite streamers and check out a myriad of panels can all be overwhelming for some. So, if you’re planning on attending PAX AUS, we have a few tips and tricks to help you plan out your time.
Games on show
There are some massive game being shown off at PAX AUS this year. From Square Enix’s Avengers RPG to the Final Fantasy VII Remake and Watch Dogs: Legion. The best way to see everything you want is to list what games you want to see from the most important to the least important. It’s extremely unlikely that you won’t have a chance to see the games you want but it’s always best to prepare for the worst.
PAX AUS isn’t just about the latest and greatest upcoming video games though. There is an entire section of the show floor dedicated to tabletop RPG’s that are worth a look ranging from the classic Dungeons and Dragons to the Call of Cthulhu.
White Wolf, the creator behind the horror RPG Vampire: The Masquerade, will have a quite a large presence at this year’s show including a Melbourne by Night panel, which will have panellists run through a scenario set herein our very own city.
There’s also a dedicated area for fans of Trading Card Games as well. Players can duke it out on tables designed to show off who is the master TCG gamer.
Panels, so many panels
The show floor isn’t the only place where the action happens during the three days of PAX AUS. The panels range from the CD Projekt Red showing off Cyberpunk 2077 to panels about the more serious topics like LGBT+ representation to “Which video game cryptid would make the best lover.”
To get the most out of the panels you want to see, plan your day by using schedule available on the PAX app, which will alert you when the panel is about to start.
Side note; our very own founder, MissDeusGeek, will be on the “A career in games & disappointing your ethnic parents” panel on Saturday.
Taking on those daunting lines and battling the hygiene
In order to survive the lines that can often be quite long, bring a drink bottle with you. While there are plenty of restaurants and cafes in and around the exhibition centre, it’s always a very good idea to have your own drink bottle. You don’t want to be stuck in line for Watch Dogs or sit in an auditorium and be dying of thirst. Drink bottles are a must.
While the weather looks to be fairly chilled, there’s bound to be a ton of people crammed into a small area, and the question is do you really want to be the guy/gal who’s body odour is the one everyone tweets about?
The answer to that is a big old nope. Deodorant is a must-have and if you want to stay in character, the Xbox themed Lynx deodorant smells rather good.
Wearing good shoes is an absolute necessity as well. The sturdier the better, otherwise, you’ll regret it for the next week.
Respect the cosplayers
Everyone at PAX is there to enjoy the gaming world no matter what they choose to play, and often a lot of people put an insane amount of work into their cosplay outfits.
Quite often, these cosplayers love to have their photos taken, however, you must be polite when and ask beforehand if they consent to having their photo taken. As cool as their outfits are, it doesn’t mean they are used to having a camera in their face or feel comfortable taking photos with strangers. So please, please ask first.
In addition, just because they’re cosplayers, doesn’t mean they aren’t allowed to decline a photo. Please be respectful of this and accept their answer.
Above all, just respect everyone.
Strike up conversations and just bask in the gaming awesomeness PAX AUS has to offer and you’re going to have a great time. It’s all about having fun.