A major new exhibition examining the evolution of electronic entertainment will open at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford next year.
The display will trace how advancements in interactive technology over the past century have reshaped recreation, artistic creation, and human connection, with effects extending beyond the gaming industry.
Scheduled to open in late March, the interactive exhibition will explore the historical development, societal impact, and cultural significance of digital games.
It will demonstrate how the fundamental human drive for entertainment has evolved from traditional tabletop activities to the expansive virtual worlds available today.
Visitors will explore electronic gaming across historical periods, contemporary settings, and future possibilities.
The exhibition will examine how interactive entertainment influences community structures, personal identity, social groups, technological advancement, and education while revealing the often unexpected ways digital games shape everyday life.
The museum collection provides relevant content for enthusiasts at all levels of familiarity.
Visitors can examine how various age groups have engaged with recreational activities and follow the progression of significant gaming artifacts and pivotal moments that altered the medium’s trajectory.
The exhibition is designed to appeal to families, those seeking knowledge, and dedicated players, encouraging collaborative exploration through participatory features, inventive tasks, and hands-on experiences.
The display also showcases the growth of the interactive entertainment sector, presenting an international industry experiencing rapid development in northern England.
Alongside the main exhibition, the museum confirmed the return of the Yorkshire Games Festival, beginning May 29 and continuing throughout the school holiday period with an extensive range of family-friendly interactive entertainment throughout the venue.
The popular event welcomes participants of all ages to engage with emerging gaming platforms and includes large-scale competitive gaming, theatrical performances, instructional sessions, film screenings, and recreational play.
The festival’s Game Talks programme will resume earlier in the year, taking place during March.
Game Talks connects emerging talent in game development with prominent international figures from the interactive entertainment industry.
The 2027 schedule will include presentations, workshops, intensive sessions, and networking opportunities throughout the event, supporting participants in taking initial steps toward careers in the interactive entertainment sector.