As the world begins to ease off certain restrictions caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Penny Arcade has bitten the bullet and confirmed that PAX Australia has been canceled. The annual video game convention isn't the first to be affected by COVID with major events including E3, Gamescom, and even the Tokyo Olympic Games having already been forced to shut down earlier in the year amidst health concerns surrounding the global pandemic.
In a statement posted to the event's official website and social channels, PAX Australia organizer's have confirmed the convention is only being postponed, rather than canceled entirely, and is expected to make a full return in 2021. "We have been working hard with our partners and exhibitors to explore all viable options but with our desire to bring you the best PAX Aus ever, the next edition of PAX Aus will now take place in 2021."
Originally scheduled to take place in Melbourne, Australia from October 9 - 11, the annual gaming convention will be replaced with "new ways" to connect the PAX community with its favorite gaming content and creators, likely some sort of digital event as we've seen this past week with many other companies. "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 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 Australia is the first event to be canceled by the company so far, despite taking not place till October each year. Penny Arcade is yet to make any formal announcement regarding PAX West or PAX Unplugged since April, currently scheduled for September and November 2020 respectively. While its certainly disappointing to have yet another event canceled, particularly one that's so close to the release of PS5 and Xbox Series X, it was the right call to make and it's unlikely PAX West and Unplugged won't soon follow.
PAX Australia is due to return in October 2021.