Alexander Tarvet is a lecturer and PhD student at Abertay University in Dundee, Scotland and co-founder of his own indie game development studio Somewhat Unsettling.  

The Longest Walk, his latest game, is a walking simulator game about his father’s experience of living with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. This BAFTA-nominated work as a solo developer forms part of a wider PhD research project exploring how games can be utilized as an expressive medium for representing biographical and documentary storytelling, within the applied context of lived experience of health issues.  

Creators of Pine Hearts, Hyper Luminal Games are an award-winning games development studio based in Dundee. With a team of over 80 developers they take a people first approach, with a trusting and inclusive culture, that delivers high quality games that create lasting memories and fill their team with pride. 

Pine Hearts is a cosy little narrative-adventure game set in the sleepy scenery of Pine Hearts Caravan Park. Explore the great outdoors as you uncover items, unlock new paths, and discover all the little secrets stuffed throughout the Park. Pine Hearts takes inspiration from the real-life experience of the studio's Creative Director Rob Madden, who after the loss of his father in 2019 wanted to make a game that explored themes of loss, memories, family, and hope for the future. 

Alastair Low (Lowtek Games) has been making games since he was in primary school. He likes to create interesting projects which combine digital and physical, from retro games to pop-up books and everything in between. He's also dyslexic and works to try and make games more dyslexia friendly.  

FLEA! is a hardcode platformer where you play as a flea who just can’t stop jumping. This is a new NES game created in 2020. 

Bib Goes Home is a proof of concept for a new games system, codenamed the Lowtek Lightbook, where you play the game on a physical popup book through projection mapping magic. Help Bib find his way home, paint the pages with light, find the hidden objects or have a round of golf. 

Sad Owl Studios is the Scottish indie game development studio that created the visually mind-bending game, Viewfinder. The game began as a student project, which attracted attention when a video of the prototype went viral in early 2020. As the project gained momentum, the team grew, with a variety of collaborators around the world from both AAA and indie backgrounds. The game launched in July 2023 and has received a number of accolades, including 2024 BAFTA awards for British Game and Intellectual Property. 

Viewfinder is a first person puzzle/adventure game where you use an instant camera to reshape your environment in dramatic and mind-bending ways. The game's story takes you deep into an abandoned simulation to unravel the mysteries of this surreal, dreamlike world. You'll be challenged to think outside the box by the game's playful open-ended puzzles, exploring perspective and perception. 

**Valid ID required. Carers of disabled people free.

National Museums Scotland has a non-refundable and non-transferable ticketing policy.

See our full Ticketing Terms and Conditions.

• Toilets are available on most floors, including accessible toilets and baby changing facilities. There is a Changing Places (U) toilet in the Entrance Hall on Level 0. 
• Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other recognised assistance dogs are admitted.
• Seating is available throughout the exhibition.
   

Level access

There is level access to the National Museum of Scotland via the glass doors at the Lothian Street entrance.

Loan a wheelchair

Wheelchairs are available for loan at no charge. Please note wheelchairs cannot be booked in advance. On arrival, ask about availability at the Information Desks in the Entrance Hall or Tower Entrance.

Mobility scooters

Small mobility scooters are permitted inside the museum and the exhibition. 

Games in the exhibition

The majority of games are playable by wheelchair users. However due to the historic nature of some of the arcade consoles the height is not suitable for wheelchair users. There is also a driving game which requires sitting in a racing car. 

Games in the exhibition

The exhibition consists primarily of video games which are visual by nature and may be challenging for blind or partially sighted visitors. Audio-description settings will not be turned on as standard.

Large print labels

Large print labels are available in this exhibition. 

Accessible Games Night with RNIB and TripleTapTech: Visual Impairment

Join us for a sociable evening of gaming for people who are blind or partially sighted. We are partnering with RNIB and TripleTapTech to create a special event where visitors can play on a range of accessible games provided by gaming innovators TripleTapTech.

Find out more on the Accessible Games Night event page. 

Hearing induction loops

There is a hearing induction loop at the information desk outside the exhibition gallery.

Games in the exhibition

Most of the games are very visual in nature. Some of the games will have subtitles which can be turned on by the user.   

A very small percentage of individuals may experience epileptic seizures when exposed to certain light patterns or flashing lights. There are no flashing lights in the exhibition, but many of the games feature rapid changes in light levels and colour saturation. The screens in the exhibition operate at 50/60 hertz as televisions do at home.  

We cannot provide a list of 'safe' games as the range of triggers is so varied, but the following suggestions will help to mitigate the risk:  

• Wear a pair of blue light filtering glasses to help minimise the risk of a trigger  
• Stand at least 90cm from the screen when playing any game to ensure the screen does not fill your vision  
• Play only games that are a slower pace/intensity and avoid high action games such as those in the arcade section of the exhibition.  
• Visit with a person who is aware or your condition and can support you in event of feeling unwell .

If you experience any of the following symptoms while playing a video or computer game - dizziness, altered vision, eye or muscle twitches, loss of awareness, disorientation, any involuntary movement, or convulsions - IMMEDIATELY discontinue use and consult your doctor before resuming play.  

In the exhibition

Game On is a very interactive and sensory exhibition with games including lights, colour changes and sounds.  

Sensory resources

Ear defenders are available to borrow for free from the exhibition ticket desk on Level 3. A limited number of sensory backpacks are available at the information desks in the Main Entrance Hall and the Tower Entrance. These backpacks cannot be booked in advance.

Visual guide

The museum has developed a visual guide featuring information about what to expect when you visit the exhibition. 

Sensory map

A sensory map of the exhibition has been developed to explain the different sensory levels around the space. 

Relaxed viewings

Relaxed viewings of the exhibition are available on selected dates. During these times visitor numbers will be reduced and the sound on games lowered.

Please check our What's On page for upcoming relaxed viewings.

Relaxed Evening event

Join us for a relaxed after-hours visit to Game On. During this special session, visitor numbers will be limited and we will lower sounds on the loudest games to create a more relaxed experience.

Find out more on the Relaxed Evening event page. 

There are two games playable with adaptive controllers, Minecraft  and Pine Hearts. We have built these controllers in a way that allow a wide range of users with motor disabilities to play. 

However, we are not able to customise them to the needs of each specific visitor.