Following its most successful year yet in 2022, Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW) is back bigger than ever from 30 September – 8 October 2023, with beloved home of screen culture, ACMI, at its vibrant heart.
MIGW is a fixture on the global digital games calendar, connecting games, technology and culture, with a broad program for industry, educators, and game enthusiasts alike. From 30 September, Melbourne will become a games wonderland, with ACMI – Australia’s national museum of screen culture – providing a central hub for unique live events and activations for gamers of all ages.
Spanning a huge range of public and industry events, the MIGW 2023 program explores how videogames are opening up new opportunities and possibilities across the creative sector – from music to fashion to film, literature and beyond. It will showcase the best local talent and most exciting new games coming out of Victoria and around Australia. It will also explore the potential of games tech to make a positive impact on our lives beyond entertainment – from education, health and wellbeing to community building and social justice.
Find Melbourne’s latest film, TV, literature and gaming news here.
“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,” Minister for Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos said.
“Whether you’re looking to power up your games business, forge a career, or play the biggest, best and most exciting new games, MIGW is a celebration for everyone.”
MIGW highlights the integral role Victoria plays in Australia’s games industry and the significant new industry investment from the Victorian government supporting the local sector to thrive. The state is home to more games studios and workers than anywhere else in the country, while Victorian-made games – including Untitled Goose Game and Cult of the Lamb – have been played by millions across the globe.
Since its establishment in 2015, MIGW has grown into the largest games gathering in the Asia Pacific. In 2022, it attracted a record-breaking crowd, with close to 86,000 attendees at in-person events and more than one million from across the globe at online events.
From flagship industry events such as GCAP, High Score and the AGDAs to ACMI’s Cult of the Lamb: Live, the Games for Change Asia-Pacific Showcase and Fed Square’s Mario King of Kart Tournament, there is something for absolutely everyone this year at MIGW.
ACMI’s Cult of the Lamb: Live
ACMI’s Cult of the Lamb: Live (6-7 October) brings the award-winning worldwide hit game to ACMI’s cinema screens. Featuring a newly arranged score from First Nations musician River Boy (Narayana Johnson), played live along with musicians from Orchestra Victoria, audiences can discover a new story within the world of everyone’s favourite furry cult leader.
Freeplay: Parallels
Indie darling Freeplay: Parallels is back, this year at ACMI, for a one-night-only cutting edge showcase of some of the most experimental, personal, and culturally significant work being made by local indie developers right now.
Australian Game Developer Awards
Hosted by IGEA, Australia’s best and most innovative games of 2023 will be celebrated at the Australian Game Developer Awards (ADGAs) (4 October). Back by popular demand for its second year is the ACMI Audience Award where the public can visit ACMI (6-8 October) to play and vote for their favourite Australian game of the year.
ACMI’s Games for Change (G4C) Asia Pacific Immersive Arcade Showcase (4 October) featuring an immersive, playable arcade of the latest AR and VR games that are changing the world in areas including health, education and social change. It will explore issues ranging from the threat of nuclear disaster to tattoo culture to the ‘Greatest Of All Time’ games to learn maths.
Games Connect Asia Pacific
Games Connect Asia Pacific (GCAP): Empower (2-4 October) is the major industry conference that will see local studios and developers connect with games leaders from across the globe, with a view to empowering developers to achieve their vision for themselves, their teams, their art and technical skills.
High Score
Presented by APRA AMCOS, High Score (30 Sep – 1 Oct) invites Melbourne’s live music community to join a discussion between music creators and game developers as they explore the important role that audio and sound plays in game design and experience.
PAX Aus
Fan-favourite epic games expo PAX Aus will also take over the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (6-8 October) for three huge 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 Mario King Of Kart Tournament
The Mario King Of Kart Tournament will see 32 racers vie for the coveted title of 2023 King of Kart Champion live at Fed Square (6 October).
ACMI’s Women and Non-Binary Gamers Club
ACMI’s Women and Non-Binary Gamers Club (4 October) is an online monthly meetup for women, gender non-conforming, trans and non-binary folks to get together and share their love of games. During MIGW the club will be diving into Stray Gods, the upcoming role-playing musical by Australia’s own Summerfall Studios.
Following the recent success of TV series Stranger Things and the new Dungeons and Dragons film, cult-favourite role playing games (RGP) is having a moment, and MIGW at the Table (1 October) is back with a 12-hour streamed event featuring TTRPG panels, workshops and liveplay. This year MIGW is part of a bumper season of creative events taking place throughout October including Melbourne Fringe Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, the inaugural Eighty-Six music festival, the Wheeler Centre’s Spring Fling program of talks and events, and much more.
Melbourne International Games Week is an initiative of the Victorian Government, delivered by Creative Victoria in partnership with VicScreen, ACMI and IGEA. Events will be held from 30 September – 8 October 2023.
For more information visit gamesweek.melbourne
