The Lab

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We’re all Game Makers!

Anyone can make a videogame, including you!

Not every important videogame is made by a big company, or is even made for profit – game making is an art form in of itself, one that we can all engage with if we want to. Helping make game creation more possible and accessible is an important part of our mission: “Videogames for everyone. Forever.”

Here, in The Lab, you can learn about some of the free software available which can help you make your own games and experiment with game making tools.

Book Tickets to Get Creative
BBC Micro

Get Creative

The Lab celebrates videogame creation providing the tools to introduce you to the various ways you can create your own game. Begin your journey with game making tools like Scratch and Twine or take a journey back to the 1980’s with our fully working BBC Micro computer – the adults love a trip down memory lane with this one!

During the school holidays, our award winning learning team offer fun activities and creative workshops often related to game making. These range from creating games using Bitsy, learning how to draw videogame characters or even making videogame music. Check out our What’s On page to find out more information about the latest and upcoming holiday activities.

Independent Game Making

The Lab celebrates independent game making and features experimental games, demo versions of unreleased games and even games that are exclusively playable at the NVM.

Currently on display are experimental games from Sheffield Hallam University’s final year Experimental Games Practice students. Games range from intriguing concepts such as finding clues to solve an art heist, to escaping a laboratory using quantum physics!⁠

Two of our most popular games at the Museum are also two of our exclusives! Firstly our unique Four Player Pac-Man gives four players one control each (up, down, left and right) to work together to control the titular hero. Ideal for 2-6 players, Super Snowball Fight Party pits players against one another to pelt snowballs at each other – highest score wins!

Super Snowball Fight Party is Super Fun!

Make Games at Home

If you’ve enjoyed learning about and making videogames with us, did you know you can make games at home too?

Explore our free learning resources to get you making your own amazing games. Take a look at our ‘Getting Started’ guides to making games at home, or download our printable resources.

Learn at Home

Be a Game Maker! Play and create games at the NVM

Book Your Visit

Be a Game Maker! Play and create games at the NVM

Book Your Visit