The Introduction of Computer and Video Games in Museums – Experiences and Possibilities

Abstract

Abstract. Computers and other digital devices have been used for gaming since the 1940s. However, the growth in popularity of commercial videogames has only recently been witnessed in museums. This paper creates an overview of how digital gaming devices have been introduced in museum exhibitions over the last fifteen years. The following discussion will give examples of exhibitions from different countries and provide answers to the following questions: Can digital games and gaming devices be used as promotional gimmicks for attracting new audiences to museums? How can mainframe computers be taken into account in digital game related exhibitions? How has the difference between cultural-historical and art museum contexts affected the methods for introducing digital games? Is there still room for general exhibitions of digital games or should one focus more on special theme exhibitions? How are museum professionals, researchers and computer hobbyists able to collaborate in exhibition projects?

Enhancing Attentional Control: Lessons from Action Video Games

“…However, beyond simple entertainment, video games are increasingly found in many other areas of daily life. For instance, video games are now recognized as a new form of art, as testified by numerous video game exhibits in high profile museums and academic discussion of video games as a means of creative expression (Eveleth, 2012;Naskali et al, 2013). Video games are likewise ever more commonly found in educational settings.…”

Constructing Digital Game Exhibitions: Objects, Experiences, and Context

“…Like Naskali et al (2013) prophesied, game exhibitions are becoming more and more specialized. Generalizing and international exhibitions like the one on display in Computerspielemuseum, Nexon Computer Museum, or in the Game On 2.0 traveling exhibition give way to, e.g., national stories like the one on display at the Finnish Museum of Games, or player stories and context like in Play Beyond Play.…”

Serious Games for and as Cultural Heritage

“…There are many video game museums (online archives 15,16 , onsite 17 , or both 18,19 ) showing the story of most prominent video games and their cultural impact. Other museums host video game exhibitions, such as Museo Games (hosted at the French Conservatoire national des arts et métiers) and Game Story (at the Paris Grand Palais) [41], or provide temporary hosting for traveling video game exhibitions [42].…”