Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW) 2025 is right around the corner, running from 4-12 October 2025 in Melbourne, Australia, and beyond. This year’s show lineup is bigger than ever, with an array of 70 tie-in shows, conferences, and celebrations available to everyone who loves video games – whether they’re a games industry professional, enthusiast, or just keen to learn more.
The usual stalwarts of MIGW are back, with professionals able to take part in Games Connect Asia Pacific (GCAP) and the Australian Game Developer Awards (AGDAs), between 6-8 October 2025, and PAX Aus 2025 opening its doors to gaming fans from 10-12 October 2025. The annual Big Games Night Out celebration also returns, alongside a ‘Little Games Night Out’ segment for younger gaming fans, on 9 October 2025.
But there’s plenty new in this year’s show as well, with ACMI hosting a range of informative talks, and having its Game Worlds exhibit on show throughout MIGW 2025 (and well into the new year). One major highlight worth noting at ACMI is Celeste: In Conversation with Maddy Thorson and Noel Berry on 6 October 2025, a talk featuring the developers of Celeste discussing the game’s success and impact.
MIGW 2025 highlights, curated by ScreenHub
- Distraction (Currently Running) – ‘Play custom-built games by local developers on bespoke arcade machines, dive into interactive student-designed games from Science Gallery’s STEM program, and test your wits against AI in creativity-challenging works like Deviation Game.’ This free exhibition is hosted by the Science Gallery Melbourne.
- Player Night: The Elder Scrolls Online (8 October) – ‘Step into the world of Tamriel like never before in this premium after-hours Game Worlds experience. Includes access to the exhibition, with content from The Elder Scrolls Online and other fan-favourite titles. Hear from Studio Game Director Rich Lambert as he takes you behind the scenes of one of the world’s most popular MMORPGs.’
- Careers and Frontiers: Games Education Symposium (9 October) – ‘A one-day symposium designed for secondary and tertiary students, educators, career advisors, parents and gamers to explore the career futures in the games industry. Keynote speaker Brendan Keogh will draw from a decade of teaching and researching to dispel the most common industry misconceptions as well as provide insights into cultivating diverse career paths from award-winning local creators like the makers of the Massive Monsters series, and international guests such Donald Barratt of Insomniac Games and Marie Foulston, studio lead at Good Afternoon.’
- Freeplay: Parallels (9 October) – ‘A showcase of heartfelt talks by independent game makers alongside playable installations of experimental works. Presented by Freeplay, the world’s longest running independent games festival, Parallels puts a focus on the expressive and non-commercial games being made in Australia and the surrounding regions.’
- MAFIA The Game: The Show (10 October) – ‘The Mafia have taken over our town! No one is safe. Civilians are dying every night and we’re running out of time. We’ve recruited six comedians to help us uncover who the cold-blooded killers are and bring them to justice.’ This live show takes place at Solidarity Hall, Trades Hall in Carlton.
- Costumed Life Drawing (10 October) – ‘As part of the incredible Melbourne International Games Week, CDW Studios are thrilled to announce our special Costumed Life Drawing evening. No experience is necessary and all artists are welcome to attend.’ This live drawing event takes place at CDW Studios in Southbank.
- Technically Games Lightning Talks (11 October) – ‘An evening for industry game professionals to share knowledge on the more technical aspects of game development, design, security, audio, production and anything else in between. It will be attended in-person at Port Melbourne Town Hall, with up to 14 speakers each presenting a topic in under 5 minutes.’
Stay tuned for more coverage of Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW) 2025.
