‘The Art of Play’ is a new exhibition at the National Videogame Museum. It takes you “behind the screens” to reveal the art, creativity and people behind five UK-made videogames.
Emphasising the handmade and traditional techniques used within games, The Art of Play focuses on the non-digital aspects which create the unique textures and moods seen on screen.
Developed through conversations with UK based games studios, the exhibit showcases drawings, notebooks and physical models. Video interviews with designers and artists also detail the concept development and inspiration behind the games.
featured case studies include award-winning contemporary games Monument Valley, Lumino City and No Longer Home. Classics like the Dizzy series and Yorkshire’s very own Worms are also part of the exhibition.
The Art of Play exhibits videogames as contemporary art, illustrating the handcrafted techniques and creativity. Monument Valley is a prime example of this, and visitors will be able to immerse themselves in a newly released Panoramic Edition.
This meditative and calming puzzle game is influenced by the works of artist M.C. Escher. Seemingly impossible geometric architecture is brought to life through a series of 21st century interactive labyrinths.
Dr. Michael Pennington, Curator at The National Videogame Museum says: “We are delighted to be showcasing the expertise, craft and art of videogames. Through this exhibition (and the support of Art Fund) we are able to celebrate videogame art as art, and explore how game developers use traditional techniques to produce stunning and contemporary interactive artworks.”
On display in Sheffield for the first time is a hand-drawn map, created by the Oliver Twins in 1989. The “Fantasy World Dizzy” map, features hundreds of intricate level details such as clouds, trapdoors and beanstalks, all sketched out in pencil. The drawing even includes alternative titles for the game which had not yet been decided.
Another star object is the Amiga 4000 computer that was used to design and develop the videogames Worms and Worms 2. This is accompanied with design memos, rough notes and storyboard designs by Cris Blyth, Art Director for Worms 2.
The Amiga 4000 exhibit, developer diary and accompanying items were kindly donated by YouTube channel Perifractic’s Retro Recipes.
The Amiga 4000 display is part of “Living Collections” a new interview series supported by Arts Council England. Visitors can take a deep-dive into the tools and techniques behind the production of much loved videogames in the Museum’s collection.
Emily Theodore Marlow, Curator at The National Videogame Museum says: “Thanks to Arts Council support we have been able to dig deeper into objects within our collection, and through speaking to Cris Blyth, paint a picture of what it was like to make videogames in the 1990s in Yorkshire.”
Cris Blyth was one of two animators/creators on the original Worms. Cris went on to create, animate and direct all of the cut scenes for Worms 2 alongside “a wonderful team of Rory McLeish, Rory Little, Mark Taylor and Neil South and couldn’t have done it without them,” Cris says.
Part of the Art of Play exhibition these featured games are fully playable in the Museum.
The third game in the Dizzy series, Fantasy World Dizzy sees the eponymous hero attempt to rescue girlfriend Daisy from the evil King Troll.
View GameHelp Lumi find her missing grandfather! Explore the ingenious crafted world of Lumino City, a city where the lights have gone out!
View GameLead Princess Ida through mazes of optical illusions and impossible objects to reach her end goal in a place called Monument Valley.
View GameWorms 2 is a turn based tactical game. Control a team of worms to defeat your opponent with creative and often comical weaponry.
View GameWith Art Fund support.
Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
