Confirming previous reports, officials for the Penny Arcade Expo's first trip Down Under have announced that PAX Australia will indeed take place at the Melbourne Showgrounds from 19-21 July 2013, with a further nod that the show will also return to the Victorian capital in 2014.

Victorian Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business Louise Asher today joined Penny Arcade President Robert Khoo to announce that Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) Australia will be held in Melbourne in 2013 and 2014.

Ms Asher said PAX is the world’s premier games festival and the decision to choose Melbourne will be a fantastic opportunity to highlight Victoria’s creative capabilities on a global scale.

“This is the first time the event has been held outside the United States and attracting PAX Australia to Melbourne was a major coup for Victoria,” Ms Asher said. “It is a great opportunity to showcase games culture in Australia to the rest of the world, and the exposure around the region and the world that Melbourne’s games industry will gain from the event, and the number of international and domestic visitors that will be drawn to Melbourne, cannot be underestimated.”

Penny Arcade President Robert Khoo said the demands of the global community dictated the expansion to Australia. “When we reached out to our international fans, the response from the Australian community for a local PAX was overwhelming,” Mr Khoo said.

"Melbourne has a long history of supporting the games scene, through showcasing cultural game exhibits to supporting world renowned game developers. Holding PAX Australia in Melbourne is the perfect fit for our show.”

Pricing has been set at a reasonable AU$45 per day, or $115 for a three day pass, and registrations are now open over on paxaustralia.com.au.