
About Game On
Get set for 'Game On' - the largest interactive exhibition of the history and the culture of video games.
Conceived and curated by Barbican Immersive, 'Game On' examined the creative and technological advances that have established a new medium and artform.
From Sonic the Hedgehog to Mario, visitors explored gaming's rich history by playing many of the key games produced over the last 50 years. As the exhibition has evolved and changed, over five million people of all ages have visited this interactive exhibition in 24 cities around the world.
Scotland is home to some of the most innovative and influential game makers, including Rockstar North, creators of Grand Theft Auto. 'Game On' revealed the stories behind this success, from the invention of the ZX Spectrum computer in the 1980s to the important role Edinburgh studio 4J played in making Minecraft a global phenomenon.
Independent games with a Scottish connection also featured. This included Viewfinder by Dundee-based Sad Owl Studios, and A Highland Song set in the Scottish landscape.
The exhibition opened over 20 years after the National Museum of Scotland was its very first touring venue in October 2002, after its initial opening run at the Barbican in London.
Inside the exhibition

The entrance to the Game On exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland, 2024.

Visitors playing Bomberman in the Game On exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland, 2024.

The Game On exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland, 2024.

Guitar Hero in the Game On exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland, 2024.
Stories from the exhibition
Exhibition curated and organised by the Barbican Centre.
You might also like

How a ceramic object fueled a medical breakthrough
Science and technology
A simple looking ceramic object made it possible for the first clinical trials and batch production of penicillin to take place. Its design marks a significant milestone in the history of medicine.Article
10 stories of disability history in the collections
History and cultures, Science and technology
Disability History Month begins in November each year. But all year round we care for and interpret objects connected to the lives and experiences of D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people, past and present. This list highlights…Listicle
The story of Dolly the sheep
Natural world, Science and technology, Scotland
Dolly the sheep was the first cloned mammal ever to be created from an adult cell. Affectionately named after country music legend Dolly Parton, Dolly caused excitement and controversy among both scientists and the public.Why is Dolly…Short read

