PAX Aus 2026 WoW's with Storytime Speaker
PAX Aus announced this week that globally renowned game developer and MMORPG leader Holly Longdale will headline PAX Aus 2026 as this year’s Storytime speaker, sharing stories about shaping some of the world’s most enduring games.
A veteran of the games industry with more than 20 years’ experience in MMORPGs across companies including Blizzard Entertainment, Disney, and Sony Online Entertainment, Longdale has been instrumental in building, evolving and sustaining some of gaming’s most iconic franchises including Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, and the long-running EverQuest series. Her work has consistently focused on building and maintaining large-scale game universes that engage millions of players over decades
Currently serving as Executive Producer of World of Warcraft at Blizzard Entertainment, Longdale oversees one of the most successful and influential MMORPG franchises of all time. Her leadership spans World of Warcraft Classic and Modern (including the recently released World of Warcraft: Midnight expansion), helping guide the franchise and keep it fun and rewarding for millions of players around the world.
“I’m honoured to be joining PAX Aus to celebrate the power of games and the communities that grow around them: places where people come together through play, creativity and connection,” said Longdale. “From World of Warcraft to gaming more broadly, it’s those communities that shape what we build and I’m looking forward to sharing how we’re thinking about the future of Warcraft with the same focus on listening, creativity and deep respect for the players who make Azeroth feel like home.”
Longdale’s Storytime will explore her career highlights and the many lessons learned leading teams that have brought player communities together through game experiences, particularly in the MMO space. Starting with her time at Sony Online Entertainment, Longdale worked across multiple EverQuest expansions, rising to Assistant Lead Designer before later returning as Executive Producer overseeing the entire franchise. During her tenure, she led the development of expansions, live content strategies and the evolution of business models that helped define how persistent online worlds operate today.
Longdale has also worked at Disney Interactive Studios as a Senior Producer, where she provided creative direction and design leadership across a slate of licensed titles, including Cars Mater-National, Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell, Up! and The Princess and the Frog. Later she stepped into a Lead Producer role at the Walt Disney Internet Group, where she led the development of online experiences connected to major franchises such as TRON, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Hannah Montana.
“PAX Aus is thrilled to have Holly Longdale as our 2026 Storytime speaker. Holly Longdale represents the very best of what PAX Aus celebrates; creativity, community and the power of games to bring people together,” said Lauren Luciani, PAX Aus Event Director. “Her experience in shaping MMORPGs and globally recognised franchises makes her uniquely positioned to speak to the future of interactive worlds.”
PAX Aus 2026 badges are still on sale, although 3-Day badges have sold out, whilst Single Day Badges for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday are still available. PAX Aus takes place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9th-11th October this year.
