Games in Museums: How to Put Play on Display

Museums put play on display by treating games as both artifacts and interactive experiences, using exhibit design that invites visitors to touch, manipulate, and even compete within a curated space. The key is to balance the museum’s educational mission with the intrinsic fun of play, creating a structured environment where rules, challenges, and social interaction are as much on view as the objects themselves. This article explores the practical and conceptual methods museums use to exhibit games, from historical arcade cabinets to live-action role-playing installations.

The Rise of the Playable Exhibit

For most of the 20th century, museums displayed games as static objects—a chess set behind glass, a vintage Monopoly board in a case. The shift toward playable exhibits gained momentum in the 1990s with the rise of “hands-on” science centers and the growing cultural recognition of video games as a significant art form. Today, major institutions like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, actively collect and display games, but they differ in approach. MoMA treats games like Pac-Man and Minecraft as design objects, often showing them on screens with controllers available for visitors to try. The Strong Museum, by contrast, has built entire permanent galleries—such as the eGameRevolution—where dozens of playable arcade machines and console stations line the walls, inviting visitors to play their way through history.

How Museums Choose What to Display

Selecting which games to put on display is a curatorial process that weighs several factors. The primary criteria are historical significance, cultural impact, and design innovation. A game like Super Mario Bros. is included not just because it sold millions, but because it established the platformer genre and influenced countless later titles. Museums also consider the game’s playability—can it be understood and enjoyed by a visitor with no prior experience? A complex strategy game like Crusader Kings might be historically interesting, but it is a poor fit for a public gallery where visitors have only a few minutes. Instead, curators often select games with simple, intuitive mechanics that can be learned quickly, such as Pong, Space Invaders, or Mario Kart.

Designing the Play Space

Once the games are chosen, the physical layout of the exhibit is critical. The space must accommodate both active play and quiet observation. Common design strategies include:

• Pod clusters: Grouping several game stations around a central seating area, allowing groups to watch and wait without blocking walkways.
• Sound management: Using headphones for audio or limiting sound output to avoid noise bleeding between stations; some exhibits use directional speakers that project sound only to the player.
• Lighting: Dimming ambient light to make screens visible while keeping enough light for reading labels and moving safely.
• Accessibility: Providing adjustable-height tables, large-print labels, and alternative controllers (e.g., joysticks with large grips, or one-button modes) for visitors with disabilities.

Balancing Preservation and Play

A core challenge is preserving the physical hardware while allowing it to be touched. Original arcade cabinets are often irreplaceable, and constant use wears out joysticks, buttons, and CRT monitors. Museums solve this in several ways:

• Using reproductions: Building replica cabinets with modern internals (like a Raspberry Pi running emulation software) that look authentic but are robust enough for daily use.
• Original hardware behind glass: Displaying a pristine original cabinet as a static exhibit, with a playable reproduction placed nearby.
• Software preservation: Emulation is the standard for playable exhibits, as original cartridges and discs degrade and are difficult to replace. Museums often partner with rights holders to legally obtain ROMs or use official re-releases.

Common Problems and Solutions

Running a playable games exhibit comes with a unique set of operational issues. The most frequent are:

• Equipment failure: Buttons and joysticks wear out. Solution: stock spare parts and have a technician on call; many museums use industrial-grade arcade buttons rated for millions of presses.
• Queue management: Popular games can have long lines. Solution: use a timed-ticket system for peak hours, or have staff rotate visitors to ensure everyone gets a turn.
• Misuse: Visitors may bang buttons or pull joysticks. Solution: clear signage, staff supervision, and designing the space so staff can see all stations at once.

Digital vs. Physical Games

The term “games” in a museum context covers both digital video games and analog tabletop games. Each format has distinct display considerations. Video games are inherently screen-based, so they fit naturally into a gallery with monitors and projectors. Tabletop games, such as chess, checkers, or modern board games like Settlers of Catan, require tables, chairs, and often a quiet area. Some museums combine both: a display of a historical game board with an interactive touchscreen version alongside it. The choice depends on the museum’s space, budget, and the story it wants to tell. A history museum might focus on war games and their military origins, while an art museum might highlight the visual design of game boards and cards.

Costs and Funding

Creating a playable games exhibit can be surprisingly expensive. Costs include:

• Hardware: Each playable station (screen, computer or console, controller, furniture) can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.
• Licensing: Museums must obtain rights to display and play commercial games. Some publishers donate or discount licenses for educational use, but others charge fees.
• Maintenance: A dedicated technician or contracted service is often needed for repairs.
• Staffing: To manage queues and assist visitors, at least one floor staff member is usually required per gallery.

Funding often comes from grants, corporate sponsorships (especially from tech or gaming companies), and admission fees. Some museums have also used crowdfunding campaigns for specific game-related acquisitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the games in museums actually playable?

Yes, many museums that feature games offer playable stations. However, not all games are playable—some are displayed as historical artifacts, especially if they are rare or fragile. The museum will typically label which games are playable and which are for viewing only.

How do museums get the rights to display video games?

Museums must obtain a license from the copyright holder for each game they display publicly. This is often negotiated directly with the publisher or developer. For older games, rights may have changed hands, making licensing complex. Some museums work with preservation organizations like the Video Game History Foundation to navigate legal issues.

Can I bring my own games to play at a museum?

Generally, no. Museums curate their exhibits carefully, and allowing outside games could interfere with the experience or raise safety concerns. Some museums have special “open play” events where visitors can bring their own games, but these are exceptions rather than the rule.

Why do museums display games that are not historically significant?

Museums sometimes include popular or casual games to attract a broader audience and to illustrate the diversity of gaming culture. A game like Angry Birds might be included to show the rise of mobile gaming, even if it is not considered a “masterpiece.”

How do museums prevent visitors from damaging the games?

Museums use a combination of physical design (e.g., recessed buttons, sturdy mounts), clear instructions, staff supervision, and sometimes time limits to reduce wear. Modern arcade buttons are designed for heavy use, and many museums use reproductions or emulators to protect original hardware.

What is the difference between a game museum and a museum with games?

A game museum (like the Strong Museum of Play) has games as its primary focus, with extensive collections and exhibits dedicated to the history and culture of play. A general museum with games (like MoMA) includes games as part of its broader collection, often highlighting their design or cultural impact alongside other works.

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