Exhibitions
videogame nation
14 May – 19 September
£ 3 entry
This exhibition charts the meteoric rise of videogaming. Once the sacred realm of the bedroom programmer, it has grown into a multi-billion pound industry which spans more than 30 years of games and consoles. From the British-made ZX Spectrum to the Nintendo DSi, discover and play old favourites and forgotten gems such as Jet Set Willy, Manic Miner and Sensible World of Soccer. Explore Lara Croft's worlds in Tomb Raider and understand why Grand Theft Auto has become one of entertainment's biggest British exports. Explore different gaming environments from the arcade game and sporting arena to interconnected multi-player games and virtual worlds. The exhibition also examines the cultural impact of gaming, from its cleverly designed graphics and contemporary soundtracks as well as its darker side – violent content and gaming addiction. With a high level of interactivity and strong historical narrative about the story of gaming, this exhibition is suitable for pros and novices alike.
Read one gaming blogger's review here...
Events kick off Sunday 7 june
We’ve just launched the brand new programme of videogame nation events running throughout the summer, with the next event on sunday 14 June, featuring John Hare divulging the secrets of Sensible Soccer.
Tickets available from www.ticketline.co.uk
Feedback from our customers
The exhibition has been taken for a test-drive by three teenage boys from Gorton, Manchester.
Tayo, aged 13 b.1996
The exhibition is good, its fun. I liked playing on the playstation 3 as I don’t have one at home. I liked the donkey kong game and the football game, as well as little big planet.
Malivai aged 13, b. 1995
Its good. I played on games that i hadn’t played on before. Ones that were made before I was born. That was the best bit about the exhibition
Paulio aged 13, b.1995
I think the exhibition is really good and interesting. I think its good to show people what games used to be like in the olden days. You can see where they got the ideas from for some of the newer ones. I liked the old games, I think they are of a better standard – especially the football game.
send us your images of you enjoying videogames!
Watching people play videogames can be as much fun as playing along...and we want you see some snaps of you in action!
Details coming soon....!
Thank you to our supporters
Imagine Publishing who are our media partner for this exhibition.
Imagine Publishing is one of the UKs fastest growing consumer specialist publishers. Formed in May 2005, it now publishes 20 magazines and 23 websites in the videogames, computing, entertainment and photography markets.
Titles include:
Games TM, Retro Gamer, Play, 360, X360, Total PC Gaming, PowerStation
BBC Radio Manchester, our media partner this year for a series of exhibitions in our programme.
Who have been generous with their provision of equipment in the exhibition.
Directgamesroom have generously provided the arcade machines in Urbis' foyer, with thanks to television presenter Jonathan Thompson