PAX 2024 recap: Aussie’s greatest hits

There’s a special place in our hearts for the iconic gaming convention that is PAXAUS. Between the showcases of the latest and greatest in gaming, panel discussions and workshops by industry heavyweights, and the indie gaming highlight PAX Rising, there’s always so much to see and do – and this year was no different!  

Testing your need for speed 

To come out ahead with all the awesome competition, we knew we’d have to bring our ‘A’ game for this year’s booth. But what could help our fellow gamers go faster and play better than our high-speed connections? 

With help from Team Bliss, our booth gave gamers a taste of life in the fast lane with our F1 racing simulators. A giant leaderboard kept track of the daily speed champions, with a sweet home-racing setup from Logitech and custom Aussie x PAX merchandise up for grabs throughout the weekend. There was a huge turnout and fierce competition – shoutout to everyone who put the pedal to the metal!

Indie games to watch 

Outside the walls of our booth, our favourite showcase at PAX every year is PAX Rising, highlighting some of the most exciting home-grown indie games.  

Here are some we think you should add to your wish-lists:  

Dungeons and Dining Tables 

Source: Steam

Developer: Catalyst Games Pty Ltd 

Release date: July 2025 

Platforms: Steam 

After a long day at PAX, you might want to settle down somewhere comfortable.  Dungeons and Dining Tables is a cozy RPG where you play as an axolotl who delves into dungeons to collect... furniture of course! This is used to furnish your virtual house, and the cozier your house, the more points you get.  

After defeating bosses, they become non-playable characters (NPCs) in your home who you can talk to, including a Couch Troll who will turn into your carpenter. If you can’t get enough of home renovation shows or fantasy dramas, this one’s for you.  

Stay tuned for updates to their Steam page here. 

On Orbit 

Source: Steam

Developer: Adrian Kougianos 

Release date: Q3 2025 

Platforms: Steam 

If you’re an engineer at heart (or at work) you might want to check out On Orbit –a space builder simulator sandbox with a penchant for realism. In On Orbit, you are tasked with missions to build spacecraft while on a space station, before launching them into space to complete the task you built them to perform. 

It’s sure to teach you lots about space, not to mention the satisfaction of successfully completing a mission without a hitch!  

You can check out the demo on Steam now. 

Skiers Landing 

Source: Platypus Peak

Developer: Platypus Peak 

Release date: TBA 

Platforms: Steam 

You’ve been stuck inside too long, and it’s time to hit the slopes! In Skiers Landing, you play as a skier or snowboarder racing down picturesque paths aiming for as few crashes as possible. You can make your runs gnarlier than ever by completing side objectives, like catching some air or beating your speed records.

While you’re on the slope, it pays to be helpful to others around you. If you spot stranded animals, you can rescue the cute furry friends and help them down the mountain. 

While in early stages of development, they’ll be updating their website once their Steam page is ready.  

Spies and Soldiers 

Source: Steam

Developer: Ghostbat Games 

Release date: TBA 

Platforms: Steam 

We didn’t forget about the strategic thinkers and board game lovers! Meet Spies and Soldiers –a turn-based strategy game about conquering the land with skill and subterfuge. Soldiers enter regions and take castles, and you win the game when you hold 5 castles. 

While soldiers can take castles, spies can claim cities. Every city that you control gives you an action point per turn, allowing you to move more soldiers and conquer more castles. Maps are procedurally generated, meaning every game will be different!  

With its simultaneous turn resolution, you’ve got lots of opportunities for moves and countermoves – meaning you and/or a friend are in for lots of fun. Finish a game in an arvo, or keep it going by mail, stretching one campaign out for days or weeks!  

The Spies and Soldiers demo is available on Steam now.  

If there are any great games we didn’t mention from PAX AUS this year, let us know on our socials! We’re keen to hear what you think and are excited for the future of Australian Indie games.