After much speculation, PAX Australia 2020 has been officially cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic that’s still very much a thing in most regions.
The announcement was made via the official PAX AUS Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts in the form of a letter apologizing to patrons, media, and game developers.
“It is with a heavy heart that today we announced the postponement of PAX Australia 2020 due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 in Australia and globally,” the statement reads. “Our thoughts are with our PAX community and everyone who helps us deliver this incredible event each year. The aim since the beginning has always been to put on the best possible version of PAX Aus, provide a safe space for our community to gather, share our passion with each other and create new and lasting memories with those who matter to you most. We have been working hard with our partners and exhibitors to explore all viable options but our desire to bring you the best PAX Aus ever, the next edition of PAX Aus will now take place in 2021.”
— PAX Australia (@PAXAus) June 16, 2020
The letter ends with a bit of a tease for a potential digital alternative event that may be announced within the next few days. “While we can’t move forward with PAX Aus 2020 in the way we normally would, we are finding new and exciting ways to connect with you and the PAX community with your favourite content and creators. Stay tuned to our social media channels in the coming days as we start to announce more information.”
PAX is one of the most-popular video game events of the past decade with several location-specific exhibitions held each year such as PAX West, PAX South, PAX East, PAX Unplugged, and PAX Dev in the United States and PAX AUS in Melbourne, Australia. Each event attracts a large number of gamers and industry personnel from across the globe which is why, even though Australia mostly has COVID-19 under control (only 15 cases nationwide in the last 24 hours) it would be irresponsible to proceed as usual.
Are you disappointed by the lack of gaming events this year? Share your thoughts with the community in the comments below and then check out some of our previous PAX AUS coverage here.
