A Decade of Joysticks, Cosplay & Gaming Wonders at PAX Aus 2023

The PAX Aus 2023 journey at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre felt like I stepped into a time portal where joy, games, and geekery merged into a jubilant celebration of a decade of gaming wonders. The electric excitement as I crossed the threshold suggested that this PAX edition would be an extraordinary ride through the heart of gaming culture. Little did I know that the days ahead would be a thrilling rollercoaster ride, offering glimpses into the past, present, and future of a community deeply woven into the global gaming fabric.

Immediately being hit with the Cosplay Symphony at PAX Aus felt like I went into a dimension where superheroes, villains, and characters from every possible universe came to life. Here,  commitment met imagination, and every area transformed into a photographer’s heaven. The cosplayers for the 10th anniversary weren’t just dressed up; they embraced the entire soul of a gaming culture that had become a global phenomenon.

The setting was always spectacular, with figures ranging from superheroes to mythical animals displaying unrivaled passion and ingenuity. Capturing those moments as a photographer was a dream come true, with each shot immortalizing the passion and enthusiasm of a group that had grown into a global phenomenon over the previous 10 years. At PAX Aus, the bright tapestry of costumes and characters was more than simply a visual spectacle; it was a live witness to the jaw-dropping ingenuity on exhibit, reflecting the essence of a culture that continued to extend the frontiers of imaginative expression inside the gaming world.

Exploring the colorful world of PAX Rising at PAX Aus 2023 was like discovering a treasure mine of hidden gaming delights. As devoted coders proudly presented their brainchildren to an eager audience, the lively marketplace of innovation unfolded. Navigating meticulously chosen booths plunged me into a sea of unique and imaginative titles, demonstrating the depth of innovation within the indie gaming sector. The energetic atmosphere, filled with innovators eager to share their dreams, produced a strong sense of community among indie developers and players who shared a love of gaming in its purest, most creative form.

What distinguished PAX Rising was its function as a springboard for the next great thing in gaming. It wasn’t simply a concert; it was a view into the future, where creativity and originality were emphasized. Each booth became a portal into a new realm, where revolutionary ideas and unique viewpoints challenged popular gaming conventions. PAX Rising was essentially a celebration of ingenuity, a monument to the boundless imagination that defines independent gaming. It demonstrated that the future of gaming is being fashioned not only by industry titans but also by the hearts and brains of intrepid independent creators carving their path into unknown realms of gaming brilliance.

The PC Freeplay area quickly became a popular destination for gamers, luring them into a world of limitless possibilities. Rows of computers, deliberately loaded with the best games available, stood like digital portals to vivid worlds just waiting to be explored. This interactive environment served not just as a gaming battleground but also as a community gathering place for gamers from various backgrounds. Friendships and alliances were formed and tested in virtual venues that crossed genres and eras. The shared camaraderie among users, where strangers became friends, engaging in epic battles or cooperative tasks that transcended the limits of the digital universe, genuinely distinguished this area. The PC Freeplay area was more than simply a place to play games; it was also a place to socialise.

Classic Gaming at PAX Aus 2023 was a nostalgic trip that transported me back to the golden age of video gaming. The collection of ancient consoles, which included a boxed Atari 2600, PlayStation 1 and 2, PC Engine, Spectrum, Vectrex, Sega consoles, and Nintendo’s Game Cube, created an enthralling museum of gaming history. It wasn’t just a static display of relics, though; it was an interactive trip into the origins of gaming culture.

What drew my attention the most were the numerous joysticks and control devices that had been properly placed out for participants to enjoy and experiment with. This hands-on approach to gaming history enabled fans to not only observe but also feel the evolution of interface design over time. Classic Gaming was a tactile investigation of the instruments that have formed our gaming experiences, from the simplicity of early joysticks to the ergonomic shapes of modern controllers. However, the nostalgia didn’t end there. Rare jewels like the 1976 Sheen 100 system, linked to an even rarer Panasonic TR-475U pop-up portable black and white TV, transported visitors to the origins of home gaming. Retro IBM and Apple PCs from the late ’80s and early to mid-’90s were represented, highlighting the humble beginnings of personal computing and its influence on gaming.

Furthermore, the Classic Gaming section didn’t just include consoles; it also had a fantastic selection of both older and contemporary pinball machines. For those who grew up in arcades, the distinct noises of flippers and bumpers, along with flashing lights, formed a symphony of remembrance. Classic Gaming at PAX Aus 2023 was more than just an exhibition of old hardware and  pixelated visuals; it was a celebration of the gaming industry’s ongoing legacy. It enabled me to bridge the generational divide by instilling a respect for the technological advances that have carried us from the pixelated landscapes of early games to the immersive worlds of today. I couldn’t help but wonder at how far gaming has come as I strolled through this time-traveling display, all while enjoying the everlasting delight that these great games continue to deliver.

If you preferred consoles, the Console Freeplay and Tournament rooms were a gaming haven. Battles in Tekken 8 were intense, and surprising victories brought an extra dimension of ferocity to the game experience. Meanwhile, handhelds provided a quiet yet communal environment. It was jam-packed with people engrossed in their own gaming worlds, emphasizing the perplexing social side of portable gaming.

The mood in the Let’s Dance area was fantastic. Imagine a never-ending stream of people dancing to the beat of their favorite songs – a throbbing hub of ecstasy that demonstrated that gaming is about more than pixels and polygons; it’s about the experience.

PAX Aus 2023 was a haven for speed running enthusiasts. Audiences were captivated by impressive speed runs, which demonstrated the expertise and precision required to learn games in record time. In the Tabletop section, analogue gaming demonstrated that it is not going away. In this digital age, board and card games took center stage, grabbing the hearts of visitors.

The Panels, albeit mostly full, provided a wisdom oasis for individuals looking for insights from industry professionals. However, with so much else going on, many guests were split between
panels and the plethora of other attractions.

In the VR Freeplay segment, virtual reality took center stage. Attendees had the opportunity to explore immersive virtual worlds, which brought a new depth to the gaming experience. Mean
while, the PAX XP Scavenger Hunt transformed the expo into a game within a game. Attendees walked the expo floor, discovering hidden treasures and getting a taste of everything PAX Aus had to offer.

And, among all of these wonders, there were those other highlights that genuinely distinguished PAX Aus Professional players’ incredible tournament play astounded observers. The expo  displayed incredible PC builds and components, such as a PC with an inside screen that played Tetris. At the Sega booth, the Lego Sonic display honoring Sonic Superstars stole the show. The Nintendo booth was decked out in all-white Nintendo Switch consoles, capturing the clean and modern appearance of Nintendo’s renowned system. And, in addition to the scientific marvels on exhibit, the MSI booth stood out with cutting-edge gaming technologies.

Beyond the pixels and polygons, though, the general mood of PAX Aus 2023 was one of optimism and acceptance. Everyone had a good time in and out of their costumes. Gaming culture wasn’t just alive; it was thriving and had firmly established itself as one of the world’s major cultures.

As the curtain closed on PAX Aus 2023, memories of laughter shared, friendships created, and the communal celebration of a culture that had evolved and matured over a wonderful decade lingered.

Here’s to another ten years of PAX, where the gaming world continues to be a light of joy, inclusiveness, and limitless possibilities. Game on, friends!

Dr. Brant Raven, Reviewer & Star Wars fanatic
Scientist, philosopher & technologist. Science Fiction über-aficionado, retro gamer, curator & bibliographer. Creator of the Star Wars Bibliographic Database.

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