Nine studios from Aotearoa will cross the Tasman for PAX Australia this October, the largest New Zealand contingent since the Melbourne show began — and a marker of how far the local independent scene has travelled in five years.
The delegation spans the country's development hubs: four studios from Wellington, three from Auckland, and one each from Christchurch and Dunedin. Genres on show range from a hand-illustrated narrative adventure to a physics-driven party game that has already found an audience through festival demos.
The trans-Tasman pipeline
PAX Aus has become the most important showcase within practical reach of New Zealand studios — a place where local teams can put builds in front of tens of thousands of players, along with the scouts and publishers who walk the indie floor. Several current NZ success stories trace their publishing deals directly to a Melbourne booth conversation.
Industry body support has helped: travel grants and a shared national stand have lowered the cost of exhibiting, which organisers credit for this year's record numbers. A shared "Made in Aotearoa" branding will mark the Kiwi booths across the floor.
ComboPilot will be on the ground covering the showcase, with hands-on impressions of every New Zealand title exhibiting. If past years are any indication, at least one of these games will be on our review slate within twelve months.