PAX Aus 2024 Meetup

PAX AUS 2024 Meetup

In 2024 our PAX Aus Meetup was so much more official. We had our meetup in the PAX Together Lounge, which if you're not familiar, the PAX Together Lounge, here's the official write up from the PAX Aus website:

"We believe that games should be for everyone and made by anyone. Together, we can make that a reality. Whether you're here to meet old friends or find new faves, we aim to have something for everybody. PAX Together is our curated selection of games and groups meant to celebrate a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences within gaming, especially from marginalized or minority groups." (PAX Aus Website)

It was definitely was a massive win for us as a group to finally make it onto the PAX Schedule and in an official area. The major benefit was being able to reach people who otherwise would not have know we existed. The event featured on the PAX Aus schedule and definitely brought in folks unfamiliar with the group.

So, what happened at the meetup?

Look, PAX is a whirlwind of activity, and with only 1 hour, I couldn't go all out and run a in depth games.

So instead, I chose a few micro games from local queer designers - yes one of them was Hi [Name] I'm Dad, by Logan Timmins, as a kind of ice-breaker, as well as Lucienne Impala's Murder! Divining A Mystery. The final game on the bill was a game by myself, the founder of the group, called Fates Less Known - a duet game.

At the meetup we had around 15 people. There were three groups playing Fates Less Known. The game requires Tarot cards and I only had three sets which limited hte number of groups that could play that game at any given time. A shame, but I was worried that noone was going to play it at all, so there's a positive.

I was roaming around helping people play the games, so I didn't get a chance to sit down and do any networking (I think I was buzzing a bit with adrennaline as I was a wee bit stressed about how the event would run).

THE BEST BIT

I did see some absolutely wholesome and heartwarming things:

I saw a group of 5 or 6 people kind of meet and discuss their love of TTRPGs, bonding after a game or two of Murder! Divining a Mystery. A group of them were heading off to the same panel together afterwards.

I saw two strangers get deeply engrossed in a game of Fates Less Known and after the meetup ended, they moved to another table to continue chatting. *chefs kiss* 10/10. No notes. That's what I adore seeing.

That's what this group is about. It's about connection and community. And to see that emerge from today's meetup made my heart grow about 3 sizes.

So, well done everyone. You're rad as heck.

Stevie Schafer for the Melbourne Queer TTRPG Group.

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