We’re excited to share that the National Videogame Museum will be representing the UK at the World Expo 2025 Osaka this summer!
From 18th – 24th July, we’ll be travelling to Japan to join the UK Pavilion’s Partner Exhibit Initiative, where we’ll showcase the transformative power of videogames through a new immersive exhibition titled ‘Videogames Transforming Lives’.
World Expos, which take place every 5 years, are platforms for education, collaboration, and cultural exchange. They bring together nations, organisations, and the public to address global challenges.
As the UK’s only museum dedicated to videogames, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on the incredible talent, creativity, and innovation that defines British game development. From boundary-pushing accessibility tools to beautifully crafted indie titles, we’ve curated a new exhibition which will celebrate the people and ideas shaping the future of play – and show the world what the UK has to offer.
“We’d like to thank the Department for Business and Trade and all of the exhibiting partners who have helped to make this exhibition a reality.”
One of the things we’re really passionate about is making sure everyone can be part of play. That’s why inclusive design is such a big part of what we do – it’s fundamental to how we think about the future of videogames and who gets to be part of it.
Through our brand-new exhibition, we’ll be showing how games can bring people together, break down barriers, and open up new possibilities. In doing so, we’ll invite the world to imagine a future where games are more inclusive, more creative, and more connected than ever.
“At the National Videogame Museum, we believe that videogames are for everyone. They are now a vital part of our social fabric which help us to form connections and build communities. We’re thrilled to be sharing that message at Expo 2025 Osaka.”
‘Videogames Transforming Lives’ is made up of three distinct areas which encourage visitors to play, learn, compete, and connect.
The first bespoke exhibit was curated in collaboration with UK charity, SpecialEffect, and celebrates the power of inclusivity in game design. It presents the charity’s EyeMine 2 software, which enables people with a physical disability to play Minecraft using only their eyes.
Another space features a range of homegrown games, curated by the NVM team, which includes PowerWash Simulator, Sackboy: A Big Adventure and Dunk Dunk – emphasising the wealth of talent and creativity in the UK’s gaming industry.
A final exhibit presents large-scale imagery from Monument Valley – a beautiful puzzle game developed by acclaimed UK studio ustwo games; allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the labyrinthine game environment with playable versions of the game available too.
“The National Videogame Museum’s exhibition is a truly immersive experience, which demonstrates how our world-class videogame industry not only entertains millions of gamers, but also represents British innovation at its finest.
“From Sheffield to global markets this is exactly the kind of high-growth, future-focused industry that will help deliver our mission to grow the economy with our Modern Industrial Strategy.”
– Gareth Thomas, Business and Trade Minister
“We’re really proud that the National Videogame Museum will be flying the flag for UK gaming culture at Expo 2025 in Osaka.
“The Museum is a real asset to Sheffield. It adds something special to the city’s cultural scene – bringing people together through creativity, innovation, and play. Being part of a global event like Expo puts both the Museum and Sheffield on the world stage, showing what our city has to offer.
“It’s a great opportunity to highlight Sheffield as a place full of ideas, culture, and community spirit.”
– Cllr Mohammed Mahroof, Chair of the Economic Development, Skills and Culture Committee at Sheffield City Council
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If you’re in the UK, you won’t miss out. We’ll be bringing parts of the Osaka exhibition back home to Sheffield this summer. Keep an eye out for more details coming soon – just sign up to our e-newsletter, follow us on social media, or check our website in the coming weeks for more information.
