In the 1970s and '80s the likes of Space Invaders, Pac-Man and Super Mario Brothers were at the cutting edge of technology. But in the age of Wii, broadband and ipods, such computer adventures have become outdated and obsolete.

From April 2009, the Museum of Computing in Swindon plans to tour a hands-on exhibition around the UK, charting the history of the computer game console. From the earliest black and white TV-based games, to the first home consoles, handhelds and Nintendo games, the display of over sixty-five artefacts offers a nostalgic tour through an industry in its infancy.

The innovative display, content and available activities such as gaming weekends, are planned to target specialists, families and children of all ages - even big kids. Unlike other gaming exhibitions, this exhibition will be tailored to regional venues in the UK who may have small budgets, but big ideas. Even though the exhibition is still in its infancy, there is already a number of venues interested in hosting it: Leeds Museum, DLI Museum in Durham, National Museums Scotland, World Museums Liverpool, Design Centre North, The Museum of Reading and Hampshire Museums.

This is already a very popular exhibition, with visitor figures for two years expected to be over 500,000 nationwide.

The exhibition will be non-profit making and sponsorship will be raised to cover the costs of the exhibition so that hire fees are kept to a minimum. Dependent on the level of sponsorship, sponsors will be offered the opportunity to have their name put on all PR materials, links with the exhibition website and museum websites and the possibility of exclusive gaming weekends for staff and clients.

For larger amounts of sponsorship, a satellite display pod will be created to go into a reception or shop.

Contact: Sara Glenn, Project Manager

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