PAX Australia to be opened by Monkey Island series creator

Australia's first-ever Penny Arcade Expo will be opened by the creator of the Monkey Island adventure game series, Ron Gilbert. The renowned game designer will be making a keynote address (dubbed "storytime") on the first morning of the expo.

The convention will make its Australian debut at Melbourne Showgrounds from July 19-21, marking the first time the event has been hosted internationally.

Ron Gilbert is known for his work on adventure games Maniac Mansion and The Secret of Monkey Island, as well as his work on the scripting language used in the games. Most recently, he has completed work on the platform adventure game The Cave with Tim Schafer.

Other international guests that will be in attendance include the RoosterTeeth team, and musical acts The Protomen and MC Frontalot.

PAX Australia has the support of the Victorian government for its confirmed 2013 and 2014 run, assisting promotion in Melbourne via sponsorship and integration through gaming culture exhibitions.

PAX is an expo dedicated to gaming culture, born of the team behind the Penny Arcade website. In the past, PAX events have been held on both coasts of the United States: PAX Prime in Seattle, Washington, and PAX East in Boston, Massachusetts. Three-day passes have been sold out, although Friday and Sunday passes are still available on the PAX Australia website.