Melbourne International Games Week returns from 2 to 11 October with a host of major showcases for Australia’s local games industry, player-enthusiasts, and even those just casually interested in the wild, weird, wonderful world of games.
MIGW is a fantastic event for discovering more about the art and creation of video games, seeing who works in the local industry, learning new skills, and indulging your love for games at fan-favourite exhibits like PAX Aus 2026.
With a host of events taking place across Melbourne and in online spaces this year, there’s lots to enjoy during the annual showcase.
Here’s the complete rundown of what to expect, and what to see and do, during MIGW 2026.
All the major events of MIGW 2026 – quick links
ACMI Games Week Showcase and Film Program – 3-11 October
When: 3-11 October
Where: ACMI, Fed Square
ACMI hosts an array of public activations and showcases during MIGW 2026. This will include playable demos for 120 games, rotating each day from 3 to 11 October.
Games on show include Cloudlings, Momento, Cozy Game Restoration, Slumbering Woods, BraveCart, Buru and the Old People, Huedini, Copycat, Nonolith, The Dungeon Experience, Don’t Stop Girlypop!, Building Relationships, Colorbound, and more.
ACMI also presents a special film program offering free screenings of Tetris, The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters, Ecstasy of Order: The Tetris Masters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990), Street Fighter (1995) and Super Mario Brothers (1993) throughout the week.
Those visiting will also be able to view the newly-installed games-inspired exhibit, Long March: Restart.
High Score Games Audio Conference – 3-4 October
When: 9am-5pm 3-4 October
Where: ACMI, Fed Square, Cinema 1, and more
‘High Score is Australia’s preeminent game audio conference. Celebrating its 10th year, High Score returns for a two-day conference platforming outstanding talent and distinguished speakers, from composers and sound designers to game developers.’
ScreenHub: High Score 2026: full program for the annual games music conference announced
Emergent Conference – 3 October
When: 10am-5pm 3 October
Where: South Melbourne Community Centre, South Melbourne
‘Emergent 2026 is a new one-day conference focused on connecting with and learning from emerging game developers, celebrating our experiences while making games. We are running six talks [and] panels and four roundtables, all hosted by emerging game developers.’
Taking Up Space Conference – 4 October
When: 1pm-5pm 4 October
Where: Cameo and Swinburne, ACMI, Fed Square
‘For three years, Taking Up Space has created a space for women and gender-diverse people in games to connect, share experiences and build community. This year, we’re expanding that mission with a half-day conference open to everyone – welcoming all listeners to take away and implement the lessons shared by our speakers.’
Games Connect Asia Pacific Industry Conference – 5-7 October
When: 8am-5pm 5-7 October
Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf
‘As the largest knowledge-sharing event in the Australian games industry calendar, GCAP caters to a range of disciplines, skill levels and audiences. With the focus of empowering, educating and connecting the Australian sector, this event provides a platform to connect with speakers, international leaders and technical experts.’
ScreenHub: GCAP 2026: full line-up for annual games industry conference revealed
Y2K Gaming Trivia Night – 5 October
When: 6.30pm 5 October
Where: Fortress Melbourne, Melbourne
‘Travel back to the golden age of gaming, dial-up internet and early 2000s pop culture at Fortress Melbourne’s Y2K Gaming Trivia Night. As part of Melbourne International Games Week, teams will battle through nostalgic trivia rounds covering iconic games, consoles, internet culture and tech, with themed cocktails, a welcome drink included and prizes up for grabs.’
MASS Dev Day Conference – 6 October
When: 11am-6pm 6 October
Where: MASS Co-Work, Collingwood
‘A blank screen. A rough idea. A world that doesn’t exist yet. Every game starts here. The hard part was never the idea. It’s the years between the idea and the day someone else gets to play it. That’s what MASS Dev Day is for. A day of talks, chats and insights about how games are actually made, featuring Sam Eng, Dave Lloyd, Jacob Janerka, Jane Fiona, and more.’
Australian Game Developer Awards – 7 October
When: 3pm 7 October
Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf
‘The Australian Game Developer Awards recognise outstanding games, studios and individuals whose work has gained national and international acclaim. This celebration showcases the strength, creativity, diversity and impact of Australian-made games on the global stage.’
ScreenHub: AGDAs 2026: finalists for the annual awards announced
Continue Magazine Launch – 7 October
When: 5pm 7 October
Where: ACMI Shop
‘Join us for a Q&A with the creators of Continue and celebrate the launch of a defiant new Australian magazine designed to explore video games and how they impact broader culture. Continue is comfortable celebrating videogames through beautifully illustrated feature stories, but secure enough to critique how they’re made via robust reporting and longform narrative nonfiction.’
Games For Change Summit – 7 October
When: 10am-5pm 7 October
Where: Cameo, ACMI, Fed Square
‘Games for Change presents a series of meaningful and impactful games created by Australian studios. These games showcase explores the intersection of games and social impact. Hear from the developers, get your hands on the games, and learn more about creating positive change in the games industry.’
The Design of Dredge Screening and Q&A – 7 October
When: 6pm 7 October
Where: ACMI, Fed Square, Cinema 2
‘Explore, fish, dredge, run and hide. The fantastically addictive Dredge lures players in with cosy game loops that quickly turn into Lovecraftian horror stories. In a saturated horror game market, how did a trio from New Zealand create a genre-changing game that has captured audiences around the world? Internet documentarian Danny O’Dwyer (/noclip) sits down with Black Salt Games, the minds behind Dredge, to uncover the recipe for success.’
Careers + Frontiers: Education Symposium – 8 October
When: 9.30am-3pm 8 October
Where: ACMI, Fed Square, Cinema 1
‘Careers + Frontiers is a one-day symposium designed for students, parents, educators and advisors to explore diverse career pathways in the games industry. Participants will explore the exciting world of game design and culture, listen to talks from global games industry leaders, and network with developers across artistic, technical, and innovation-driven disciplines.’
Freeplay Parallels – 8 October
When: 7pm-10.30pm 8 October
Where: The Capitol, Melbourne
‘Parallels 2026 will feature eight creative and unique games and their creators live on stage. Join us for an evening that explores the motivations and nuances behind creative decisions, exclusive behind the scenes intel on how games were made, and most importantly an opportunity to discover a new gem.’
ScreenHub: Freeplay Parallels 2026: Early bird tickets sell out, first details confirmed
DevCon Tabletop Industry Conference – 8 October
When: 4.30pm-10pm 8 October
Where: The Mission to Seafarers, Docklands
‘DevCon is Australia’s annual tabletop industry event. It’s where designers, publishers, manufacturers, artists and community leaders connect, trade notes, and share play tests before the consumer spotlight of PAX kicks off. Come for an evening of sharp talks, practical knowledge sharing and hands-on feedback.’
Extra Lives: Interactive Video Game Concert – 8 October
When: 7.15pm 8 October
Where: Fortress Melbourne, Melbourne
‘Step into the game with Extra Lives, the world’s first Audience RPG – an interactive concert where the audience becomes the main character. Experience a fully narrated choose-your-own-adventure brought to life with live music, visuals, sound effects and footage inspired by iconic console games from the 80s, 90s and 2000s.’
PAX Aus 2026 – 9-11 October
When: 10am-11pm 9-11 October
Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf
‘PAX Aus is Australia’s biggest celebration of games and gaming culture – where players, developers, publishers, and communities come together for an unforgettable experience. Over three full days under one roof, you can play the latest and greatest video and tabletop games, try hands-on demos from major publishers and indie developers, attend panels with industry pros, or join tournaments and community events.’
House of Sin: Cult of the Lamb Party – 9 October
When: 7.30pm until late 9 October
Where: The Howler, Brunswick
‘For one night only, the twisted world of Cult of the Lamb escapes the screen and takes over Melbourne. Step inside the infamous House of Sin for an immersive night of temptation and debauchery, hosted by the irresistible Madame FurFur and her troupe of Golden Scissor Puppets.’
TG Lightning Talks – 10 October
When: 5.30pm 10 October
Where: Port Melbourne Town Hall, Port Melbourne
‘Our focus is in the craft of making games, from the engines that we build our games on, to the animation that breathes life into characters, and everything in between. Technically Games Lightning Talks provide a platform for all things technical in games: programming, art, security, audio and more.’
Game In The Groove – 10 October
Time: 4pm until late 10 October
Location: Aki Bar, Level 2/35 Elizabeth St, Melbourne
‘Game In The Groove features demo games from local indie developers and Swinburne University students in a cosy bar space in the city. Enjoy retro gaming stations and a Smash Brothers Ultimate tournament! Plus we have DJs from the game industry and beyond playing grooving music all night.’
Level Up! Video Game Music Concert – 10 October
When: 7.30pm 10 October
Where: Bunjil Place, Narre Warren
‘Join the Casey Philharmonic Orchestra for a special concert featuring immersive scores from iconic video games; The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, Hollow Knight, Skyrim, Kingdom Hearts and upcoming Australian indie game Bones: Wandering Soul.’
ScreenHub: Level Up! Orchestral Game Music show announced for MIGW 2026
Megadev – 11 October
When: 6pm until late 11 October
Where: Moon Dog Doglands, Docklands
‘Celebrate the end of Games Week at Megadev. Presented by IGDA Melbourne, this annual event is the final call for games industry folk after a long week of networking, conferences, and conventions. Unwind, connect with friends, say your farewells and end your Games Week on a high note.’
