Behind the Screens

Responding to the challenges of collecting contemporary screen media, Behind the Screens pioneers new preservation methods and community-led partnerships suited to the complexity of videogames. It will make the sector more resilient through improved documentation, dialogue, and in recording both the experiences of pioneering developers and the social histories of gameplay and fandom.

The project takes a people-centred approach, capturing the diverse stories and creative processes of UK game makers and celebrating the communities games create.

Community Events

Working with videogame communities – including players, fans, and streamers – we will identify and collect materials that reflect their lived experience. Through practical events, meet-ups, and workshops, we will be co-curating new collections that represent a wider spectrum of UK videogame culture.

Videogame Heritage Society Network

The Videogame Heritage Society (VHS) is the UK’s only Subject Specialist Network for digital games. In 2026, we will ‘reboot’ the VHS through monthly online events, aimed at strengthening knowledge sharing between Museums, research institutions, the games industry, and hobby collector communities.

National Industry Survey & Collection

Working with Ukie (UK Interactive Entertainment), we are conducting the first comprehensive survey of materials held by games studios across the UK, and exploring opportunities for a coordinated national archive. We hope to identify and collect information about undocumented development materials, concept art, correspondence, and creative processes from a wide spectrum of makers ‘behind the screens’ in the UK games industry.

Public Exhibition

This work will culminate in a new audience-facing exhibition, ensuring access to these previously hidden stories of UK screen heritage.