National Videogame Museum launches UK-wide survey on game preservation

The National Videogame Museum has initiated a UK-wide survey to assess the current state of video game preservation. This survey, named Behind the Screens, is a collaboration between the museum, the UK Interactive Entertainment (Ukie) trade body, and the BFI's Screen Heritage Fund. It seeks information from various stakeholders including developers, publishers, studios, ex-industry professionals, and collectors.

The survey aims to gather details about any video game-related collections held by these parties, encompassing game development materials, artwork, hardware, design documents, marketing assets, and company archives. Additionally, it seeks to understand the attitudes towards preservation within the industry. The museum believes the results will guide discussions on how the UK can best preserve, celebrate, and share its video game heritage and pinpoint areas where industry-wide collaboration can help safeguard at-risk material.

John O Shea, co-CEO and creative director of the National Videogame Museum, emphasized that the UK games industry has produced world-renowned games, studios, and talent, but much of its history could be lost if not actively preserved. Ukie CEO Nick Poole stated that the survey is a step towards recognising and preserving the industry's legacy, while BFI Screen Heritage Fund manager Marta Berto noted that the project aligns with the BFI's 10-year Screen Culture 2033 strategy, encompassing games as part of the UK's broader screen culture.

The National Videogame Museum, located in Sheffield, opened in 2018 and has welcomed over 350,000 visitors since its inception. The museum currently holds a collection of nearly 5,000 video game-related items, including consoles, arcade machines, and other memorabilia.