Why videogames matter to us
As the home of videogames in Australia, ACMI is committed to celebrating, exploring, preserving and critiquing this extraordinary artform.
Videogames are a global phenomenon with an estimated 3.31 billion people playing them worldwide (Source: Newzoo’s Global Games Market Report 2023). We explore this unique artform through the brightest local and international talents to deliver programming that resonates around the world.
Our museum is uniquely positioned to support the global videogames sector through strong networks and innovation in videogames spanning more than 20 years. We champion videogames across our programming; are a hub for Australia’s largest digital games celebration, Melbourne International Games Week; and support developers to create videogames from our creative incubator, ACMI X.
We safeguard Australia’s gaming history by preserving and collecting videogames; deliver education programs that support the screen literacies of teachers and students via game-based learning; and back the game developers of tomorrow through opportunities delivered with our Major Research Partner, RMIT University. Learn more about why videogames matter to us in our videogames manifesto.
We’re now gearing up for an ACMI-curated blockbuster exhibition in 2025 exploring the playable worlds of videogames – and we want you to be involved!
Exhibitions & Programs
We have over 20 years’ experience delivering exhibitions and programs about the art of videogames – from our 2002 opening with a dedicated gallery space for games and our multiplayer virtual world acmipark (2003), to our Games Lab Presented by Big Ant Studios (2021– present), where you can play classic and modern games onsite at the museum.
Games Lab Presented by Big Ant Studios
Play classic and modern games from local and international indie developers and AAA publishers in an arcade experience that puts consoles, creativity and gaming culture at your fingertips.
Open daily 10am – 5pm
Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition
Dive into the cheeky world of the iconic slapstick videogame with playable displays and behind-the-scenes insights into the Victorian-made global hit.
Tue 17 Sep 2024 – Sun 16 Feb 2025
Melbourne International Games Week
Join us for a week-long celebration of Australian and international videogames culture and industry.
Sat 5 – Sun 13 Oct 2024
The Grannies
Explore our online exhibition about a gang of wayward artists that escape the confines of one of gaming’s biggest online worlds.
12 Feb – 12 June 2024
Out of Bounds: Exploring the Limits of Videogames
From Dec 2022 to Apr 2023, we presented an exhibition about a gang of wayward artists who escape the confines of one of gaming’s biggest online worlds.
8 Dec 2022 – 23 Apr 2023
Women & Non-Binary Gamer Club
Wish you had a book club for videogames? Now you do! Join our monthly talk and play meetup to make new friends, share your love of new releases, geek out on old favourites and be part of a safe and inclusive community.
Monthly
Code Breakers (2018)
From 2018 to 2023, we presented and toured Code Breakers – the first Australian exhibition celebrating the achievements of women working in the games industry.
26 Jul – 5 Nov 2017
Game Masters (2013)
From 2013 to 2020, we presented and toured Game Masters – an exhibition for lovers of video games and design exploring the arcade era to console, PC, mobile and tablet technology.
28 Jun – 28 Oct 2012
acmipark (2003)
acmipark, created by selectparks, is a multiplayer virtual world designed to extend the physical spaces of the museum into the realms of virtual space.
Melbourne International Games Week
ACMI is a hub for Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW), Asia Pacific’s largest digital games event. Marking its 10th year in 2024, this week-long celebration of Australian and international videogames features conferences, events and activities for the games industry, educators and games enthusiasts.
ACMI’s MIGW program includes HONK! An Untitled Goose Exhibition, an interactive commission, acclaimed international guests, a showcase of Australia’s best new games, and lots of FREE opportunities to play!
ACMI + Big Games Night Out
Join us this Big Games Night Out as ACMI becomes a playable space for all ages.
Thu 10 Oct 2024
The AGDAS: ACMI Audience Award 2024
Play and vote for your favourite Australian game of the year.
Fri 11 – Sat 12 Oct 2024
Rotted luck
Play, dance and move to interact with this new videogame from Vidya Rajan and Ian MacLarty, which playfully critiques the dark side of gaming.
Sat 5 – Sun 13 Oct 2024
Videogames in Education
We are building screen literacies among our communities through education programs for teachers and students that harness the power of game-based learning. The professional development of teachers and student engagement is supported through free resources, lesson plans and a range of education programs including workshops and conferences.
Game Lessons
A program of free lesson plans and professional development that guide teachers on how to use videogames in the classroom.
Game Stories
In this short workshop for students, explore videogame narrative through interactive fiction.
Games for Change Asia-Pacific
Hosted by ACMI, this year’s festival invites you to immerse yourself in a community passionate about leveraging games for social good.
DigiCon
An annual conference about digital learning unlocking the educational potential of video games and digital technologies.
ACMI X
We support developers to create videogames from our creative incubator ACMI X, housed onsite at the museum. This co-working space and community enables discovery, learning and growth for individuals and businesses alike, fostering creative fusions and cross-disciplinary partnerships between ACMI X residents and our own employees. Meet Australia’s videogame creators in our podcast series Inside ACMI X.
Managing expectations as a solo game developer with Anthony Tan
We spoke to artist and solo game developer Anthony Tan from Onepixel.dog about his highly anticipated adventure game, Way To The Woods.
Creating art for videogames with Zahraa Al Zubaydi
Zahraa Al Zubaydi spoke about the process of creating art for videogames.
Making music and games with Jacob Leaney
Jacob Leaney, founder of pop-music video game studio Things for Humans, shares his experiences as a game developer, songwriter and producer.
The business of making games with Julian Wilton
We spoke to Julian Wilton, creative director at Massive Monster – developers of global hit videogame Cult of the Lamb – about his career to date.
Narrative Design in Videogames with Alexander Swords
Learn about writing and narrative design from Alexander Swords, whose work encompasses games for change and adapting stories for new mediums.
Collections & Preservation
The ACMI Collection continues a 75-year legacy of celebrating moving image history and the evolution of screen culture with 7,000 videogames held in a larger collection of over 200,000 items. We preserve and care for significant holdings of Australian videogames from the 1970s to the present.
Our extensive work in emulation means that older games using obsolete software and hardware can now be played using new systems. With a focus on sustainability, research and innovation, we are uniting with other peer institutions to collaboratively collect, preserve and share our videogame heritage.
United institutions collect videogames
In July 2022, ACMI, the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia and the Powerhouse announced the joint acquisition of Untitled Goose Game, created by Victorian developers House House and developed with assistance from VicScreen.
Play it Again 1: the 1980s
The Play It Again project aims to create a playable history of Australasian videogames for industry, community and research purposes, by building on existing research into the history of Beam Software and their games from the 1980s.
Play it Again 2: the 1990s
The Play It Again II project aims to document, preserve, and create an accessible and playable history of Australasian videogames and videogame culture from the 1990s.
Major Research Partner – RMIT University
Since 2016 we have been collaborating with our Major Research Partner, RMIT University. This partnership is supporting the next generation of Australian game developers and graduate students with opportunities including a games prize and audience testing of videogames designed for all ages.
ACMI + RMIT Games Prize
A unique opportunity to support the next generation of Australian game developers and graduate students to hone their skills and transition into the games industry.
ACMI + RMIT Audience Lab
Test out and get a sneak peek at works from the hottest and newest moving image creatives – including videogames in development.
ACMI + RMIT Young Creators Lab
Test out videogames made by young and talented game developers – and provide your feedback to help them grow.
Useful links
Join our newsletter
Stay up to date with videogames at ACMI by joining this mailing list.
Our manifesto
Learn why games matter to us in our videogames manifesto.
Stories & Ideas
Explore original videogames essays, interviews, videos and more via our Stories & Ideas section and YouTube channel.
What's next?
Get in touch about our blockbuster 2025 exhibition via our feedback form.