For years I have been asking the quesstion: How do we protect, preserve and celebrate Scotland’s games heritage? The announcement of the recent videogame heritage PhD studentship in partnership with Abertay University, the University of Glasgow, and National Museums Scotland (NMS) was a massive step forward. Today, that momentum takes another major leap forward.
National Museums Scotland has launched a public survey to explore the feasibility of a permanent games exhibition within the museum, with a specific focus on games created in Scotland. This is a critical data-gathering exercise designed to measure public sentiment, collect community feedback, and build the business case for a dedicated, permanent space for our country’s digital heritage.
From Consultations to Concrete Action
The launch of this survey is the result of active, ongoing collaboration between the heritage sector and the games community. I recently spent a valuable hour speaking directly with the researcher leading this study, sharing insights on how a modern, world-class games exhibition could actually function.
My advice focused on moving away from the traditional, static museum model of consoles behind glass. If we are to build an exhibition that truly reflects our sector, it must be as dynamic as the games we create.
I suggested several key curatorial and operational pillars:
- Fluid, Curated Exhibitions: Rather than a permanent, unchanging display, the space should feature regularly updated, themed exhibitions. These could focus on specific eras (such as the 1980s bedroom-coding boom), genres (RPGs, MMOs, or narrative-driven games), platforms (consoles, PC or ‘other’) or spotlights on local studios and clusters.
- Playable Heritage: The exhibition should prioritise interactivity. Visitors should be able to get hands-on with the software, ensuring that the games are experienced as living, playable pieces of culture rather than software trapped on legacy hardware.
- Sustainable Business Models: We discussed creative monetisation and partnership structures to ensure the exhibition remains financially viable, self-sustaining, and capable of upgrading its technology to remain active and playable long into the future.
However, those are just my ideas (and I could be wrong…) to build a collection for the whole nation, the Museum wants to hear from YOU.
Why Your Voice is Essential
This is where the SGN community comes in. To turn these concepts into a physical reality at the museum on Chambers Street in Edinburgh, NMS needs data. It needs to show the trustees, funders, and government partners that there is a passionate, engaged audience hungry for a permanent celebration of games – with games from Scotland at the heart of the collection.
We have a rich, global history that spans from the early days of DMA, to the massive indie and mobile successes of today. Yet, out of the 12 million artefacts in the NMS collection, fewer than 200 relate to Scotland’s games heritage. This survey is our collective chance to prove that the appetite for change is real and that our digital legacy deserves a permanent home.
Fill Out the Survey Today
Whether you are a developer who has helped build this industry, a student training for its future, or a player who loves the games produced here, your input is vital. The survey takes only a few minutes to complete, but the aggregate data will be used to shape the curatorial strategy for years to come.
At SGN, I will continue to work closely with NMS, our university partners, and the wider sector to ensure that the golden thread of our creative history is protected. Let us show the heritage sector the true scale of our sector.
Complete the official NMS survey here: National Museums Scotland Games Exhibition Survey