PAX Aus 2024 Guest Lineup is STACKED!
Just when you thought PAX Aus 2024 couldn’t get any better, they go ahead and pull out all the stops with an incredible lineup of special guests. We’re talking about creative giants, award-winning music designers, international cosplay champions, and the masterminds behind some of the most beloved games out there. This year’s PAX is shaping up to be a who’s who of gaming legends from around the globe.
First up, we’ve got the custodians of Middle-earth themselves—Wētā Workshop! They’re bringing the magic of The Lord of the Rings to life with their upcoming game, Tales of the Shire. Over the weekend, you can catch two panels with the team, including a Friday fireside chat with Art Director Stephen Lambert, who will be celebrating 20 years at Wētā by sharing his insights into the creation of Bywater. Then, on Saturday, the panel lineup is stacked with Lead Game Producer Calliope Ryder, Game Designer Catherine Booth, and the legendary Game Studio Director Tony Lawrence, all diving into what makes Tales of the Shire the cosy sim we can’t wait to get lost in.
And the star power doesn’t stop there. BAFTA-nominated actor Abubakar Salim, who you might know as Bayek of Siwa from Assassin's Creed Origins or Alyn of Hull from House of the Dragon, will be in the house. Not only is he a killer actor, but he’s also the founder and CEO of Surgent Studios, which released its debut game, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, just last year. Plus, he’s a hardcore RPG fan with appearances on Critical Role’s Downfall special and The Glass Cannon Network. If that’s not enough to get you excited, I don’t know what will!
But wait, there’s more. Rich Lambert, the Game Director on The Elder Scrolls Online and a Bethesda veteran, will be at PAX Melbourne, eager to chat with the passionate gaming community. His resume includes work on iconic titles like Oblivion and Fallout 3, so you know he’s got stories to tell.
And if you’re a Final Fantasy XIV fan, you’re in for a treat. Senior Story Designer Natsuko Ishikawa and Quest Designer Saki Takayanagi will be joining the PAX Aus lineup. These two have been with the FFXIV team since the early days of A Realm Reborn and have played crucial roles in crafting the epic tales that keep players coming back for more. Natsuko, in particular, was key in shaping the acclaimed stories of Shadowbringers and Endwalker, while Saki’s quest designs have helped create the immersive world we all know and love.
Music lovers, prepare to be blown away by Sonia Coronado, a senior music designer from Cartagena, Colombia, who’s currently working at PlayStation Studios Creative Arts. Her impressive credits include God of War Ragnarök, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Ghost of Tsushima, and The Last of Us Part II. Sonia’s work has racked up awards left and right, making her a force to be reckoned with in the world of game music.
And let’s not forget James Landino, the internationally recognized video game and anime composer and DJ, who’s been making waves out of Tokyo, Japan. His electronic music has crossed over into gaming, anime, and dance music culture, earning him millions of plays across multiple platforms. His work on Omega Strikers, No Straight Roads, Fortnite, and even Hololive’s vtuber music project "Sirens," is sure to strike a chord with fans.
On the cosplay front, we’re thrilled to have Sameer Bundela, aka Sameer Tikka Masala, an international cosplay champion and the first professional cosplayer in India. With over 40 awards under his belt and four-time Cosplay Champion of India, Sameer’s bringing his A-game to PAX Aus.
And for those into esports, don’t miss the chance to meet FlyQuest, Australia’s pride and joy in the competitive gaming scene. Their CounterStrike 2 team, affectionately known as "The Boys," represents the country with pride at international championships. The team lineup, featuring Christopher “dexter” Nong, Jay “Liazz” Tregillgas, Joshua, “INS” Potter, Alistair ‘aliStair” Johnston, and Declan “Vexite” Portelli, is one to watch.
Rounding out this epic guest list is Josh Weier, a seasoned video game developer with over 20 years of experience, much of it spent at Valve. He’s been a key player in the creation of classics like Half-Life 2 and Portal 2, and now, he’s bringing his expertise to Melbourne.
These special guests join an already stellar lineup, including Storytime speaker Julian Wilton (Creative Director of Massive Monster and creator of Cult of the Lamb), Mark Meer (the voice of Commander Shepard in the Mass Effect series), and comedian John Robertson (The Dark Room).
With three-day badges sold out and Saturday passes almost gone, you’ll want to act fast if you don’t want to miss out on this incredible lineup. PAX Aus 2024 is happening October 11-13 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Get ready for an unforgettable weekend!
First up, we’ve got the custodians of Middle-earth themselves—Wētā Workshop! They’re bringing the magic of The Lord of the Rings to life with their upcoming game, Tales of the Shire. Over the weekend, you can catch two panels with the team, including a Friday fireside chat with Art Director Stephen Lambert, who will be celebrating 20 years at Wētā by sharing his insights into the creation of Bywater. Then, on Saturday, the panel lineup is stacked with Lead Game Producer Calliope Ryder, Game Designer Catherine Booth, and the legendary Game Studio Director Tony Lawrence, all diving into what makes Tales of the Shire the cosy sim we can’t wait to get lost in.
And the star power doesn’t stop there. BAFTA-nominated actor Abubakar Salim, who you might know as Bayek of Siwa from Assassin's Creed Origins or Alyn of Hull from House of the Dragon, will be in the house. Not only is he a killer actor, but he’s also the founder and CEO of Surgent Studios, which released its debut game, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, just last year. Plus, he’s a hardcore RPG fan with appearances on Critical Role’s Downfall special and The Glass Cannon Network. If that’s not enough to get you excited, I don’t know what will!
But wait, there’s more. Rich Lambert, the Game Director on The Elder Scrolls Online and a Bethesda veteran, will be at PAX Melbourne, eager to chat with the passionate gaming community. His resume includes work on iconic titles like Oblivion and Fallout 3, so you know he’s got stories to tell.
And if you’re a Final Fantasy XIV fan, you’re in for a treat. Senior Story Designer Natsuko Ishikawa and Quest Designer Saki Takayanagi will be joining the PAX Aus lineup. These two have been with the FFXIV team since the early days of A Realm Reborn and have played crucial roles in crafting the epic tales that keep players coming back for more. Natsuko, in particular, was key in shaping the acclaimed stories of Shadowbringers and Endwalker, while Saki’s quest designs have helped create the immersive world we all know and love.
Music lovers, prepare to be blown away by Sonia Coronado, a senior music designer from Cartagena, Colombia, who’s currently working at PlayStation Studios Creative Arts. Her impressive credits include God of War Ragnarök, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Ghost of Tsushima, and The Last of Us Part II. Sonia’s work has racked up awards left and right, making her a force to be reckoned with in the world of game music.
And let’s not forget James Landino, the internationally recognized video game and anime composer and DJ, who’s been making waves out of Tokyo, Japan. His electronic music has crossed over into gaming, anime, and dance music culture, earning him millions of plays across multiple platforms. His work on Omega Strikers, No Straight Roads, Fortnite, and even Hololive’s vtuber music project "Sirens," is sure to strike a chord with fans.
On the cosplay front, we’re thrilled to have Sameer Bundela, aka Sameer Tikka Masala, an international cosplay champion and the first professional cosplayer in India. With over 40 awards under his belt and four-time Cosplay Champion of India, Sameer’s bringing his A-game to PAX Aus.
And for those into esports, don’t miss the chance to meet FlyQuest, Australia’s pride and joy in the competitive gaming scene. Their CounterStrike 2 team, affectionately known as "The Boys," represents the country with pride at international championships. The team lineup, featuring Christopher “dexter” Nong, Jay “Liazz” Tregillgas, Joshua, “INS” Potter, Alistair ‘aliStair” Johnston, and Declan “Vexite” Portelli, is one to watch.
Rounding out this epic guest list is Josh Weier, a seasoned video game developer with over 20 years of experience, much of it spent at Valve. He’s been a key player in the creation of classics like Half-Life 2 and Portal 2, and now, he’s bringing his expertise to Melbourne.
These special guests join an already stellar lineup, including Storytime speaker Julian Wilton (Creative Director of Massive Monster and creator of Cult of the Lamb), Mark Meer (the voice of Commander Shepard in the Mass Effect series), and comedian John Robertson (The Dark Room).
With three-day badges sold out and Saturday passes almost gone, you’ll want to act fast if you don’t want to miss out on this incredible lineup. PAX Aus 2024 is happening October 11-13 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Get ready for an unforgettable weekend!