Saved events

Exhibition hire (Barbican Immersive)

Game On

Game On in Newcastle exhibition shot

Game On is the first major international touring exhibition to explore the vibrant history and culture of computer games.

Focusing on key game developments between 1962 and the present day, Game On takes a global perspective at gaming’s fascinating past and limitless future. From the colossal Mainframes of the early sixties to the latest industry releases, Game On examines the creative and scientific advances that have revolutionised the games we play. The exhibition features more than 150 playable games, including Space Invaders, Sonic the Hedgehog and Rock Band, to virtual reality and Minecraft.

Game On considers the development and diversification of gaming from different perspectives. In the Early Games and Home Consoles sections, the establishment of gaming technology is explored and the games and consoles that are now a part of our everyday lives and features of our homes are presented. Continuing the journey through the history of videogames, this exhibition explores the breadth of Genres within the medium and displays behind-the-scenes Making and Marketing. There are games from across the globe in World Games and games for younger audiences in the Kids section, as well as a fun-packed Multiplayer offer. Popular Characters are introduced and the significant role of music and audio is explored in the Sound section. In Cinema, the influence of films and videogames is revealed. There are portable games to play and in Futures different immersive technologies can be experienced.

Highly interactive, all action, state-of the-art, ground-breaking and popular, Game On is suitable for all ages.

 

Dates

Game On: Available to hire from July 2025

Contact us

Patrick Moran
Head of Commercial Strategy and Partnerships, Barbican Immersive

[email protected]  

 

Exhibition Presentation
Game On Presentation 2025 PDF 31.82 mb

Discover

Photo of Game On in Japan

Watch: Game On at Miraikan

The Japan Times features Game On's opening at Miraikan in Tokyo, Japan.  

photo of man

Watch: Game On 2.0 at Ontario Science Centre

Exhibition Manager Patrick Moran explains the concept behind the exhibition and Neil McConnon discusses the ideal combination of art and science that games represent.

Exhibition info

Game On

Edinburgh, UK (29 Jun 2024 - 3 Nov 2024)

Doncaster, UK (16 Jan 2024 – 14 Apr 2024)
Groningen, Netherlands (2 Oct 2021 – 7 Jun 2022)
Madrid, Spain (25 Nov 2019 – 31 May 2020)
Chengdu, China (6 Jul 2019 – 20 Oct 2019)
Shenzhen, China (18 Aug 2018 – 14 Oct 2018) 
Prague, Czech Republic (21 Sep 2018 – 31 Mar 2018)
Tokyo, Japan (1 Mar 2016 – 31 May 2016)
Montreal, Canada (16 Apr 2015 – 13 Sep 2015)
Santiago, Chile (27 Mar 2013 – 15 May 2013)
Buenos Aires, Argentina (12 Jul 2013 – 3 Nov 2013)
Lisbon, Portugal (16 Mar 2012 – 29 Jul 2012)
Brasilia, Brazil (26 Jan 2012 – 26 Feb 2012)
Sao Paulo, Brazil (10 Nov 2011 – 8 Jan 2012)
Monterrey, Mexico (1 May 2011 – 3 Jul 2011)
Dublin, Ireland (20 Sep 2010 – 30 Jan 2011) 
Brussels, Belgium (22 Dec 2009 – 18 Apr 2010)
Kaohsiung, Taiwan (18 Jul 2009 – 31 Oct 2009)
Brisbane, Australia (17 Nov 2008 – 15 Feb 2009)
Melbourne, Australia (6 Mar 2008 – 13 Jul 2008)
Hong Kong (21 Jul 2007 – 7 Oct 2007)
London, UK (20 Oct 2006 – 25 Feb 2007)
Seattle, USA (26 May 2006 – 31 Aug 2006)
Chicago, USA (1 Feb 2006 – 27 Apr 2006)
San Jose, USA (30 Sep 2005 – 2 Jan 2006)
Chicago, USA (4 Mar 2005 – 5 Sep 2005)
Tel Aviv, Israel (26 Sep 2004 – 1 Jan 2005)
Lille, France (19 May 2004 – 8 Aug 2004)
Helsinki, Finland (18 Sep 2003 – 14 Dec 2003)
Tilburg, Holland (28 May 2003 – 24 Aug 2003)
Edinburgh, Scotland (17 Oct 2002 – 2 Feb 2003)
London, UK (16 May 2002 – 15 Sep 2002)

Game On 2.0

Newcastle, UK (25 May 2019 – 4 Sep 2019)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1 Dec 2017 – 25 Feb 2018)
Rome, Italy (4 Mar 2017 – 4 Jun 2017)
Oslo, Norway (10 Mar 2016 – 29 Jan 2017)
Sao Paolo, Brazil (15 Aug 2017 – 15 Nov 2017)
Newcastle, UK (23 May 2015 – 3 Jan 2016)
Stockholm, Sweden (25 Oct 2013 – 28 Sep 2014)
Ontario, Canada (3 Mar 2013 – 2 Sep 2013)
Budapest, Hungary (8 Oct 2012 – 8 Jan 2013)
Sandnes, Norway (25 Feb – 2 Sep 2012)
Portland, Oregon, USA (2 Jul – 18 Sep 2011)
Athens, Greece (16 Dec 2010 – 16 Mar 2011)
Launceston, Australia (3 Jul 2010 – 3 Oct 2010)

Note: Game On and Game On 2.0 have been consolidated as one exhibition, all future dates are listed under Game On.

Explore the Barbican Immersive programme