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Only the most dedicated “Carmen” fans—or North Dakotan educators of a certain age—are likely to have this one in their collections. [credit: Kyle Orland / VGHF ]
SAN FRANCISCO—Trade shows like the Game Developers Conference and the (dearly departed) E3 are a great chance to see what’s coming down the pike for the game industry. But they can also be a great place to celebrate gaming’s history, as we’ve shown you with any number of on-site photo galleries in years past.
The history display tucked away in a corner of this year’s Game Developers Conference—the first one arranged by the Video Game History Foundation—was a little different. Rather than simply laying out a parcel of random collectibles, as past history-focused booths have, VGHF took a more curated approach, with mini-exhibits focused on specific topics like women in gaming, oddities of gaming music, and an entire case devoted to a little-known entry in a famous edutainment series.
Then there was the central case, devoted to the idea that all sorts of ephemera—from design docs to photos to pre-release prototypes to newsletters to promotional items—were all an integral part of video game history. The organization is practically begging developers, journalists, and fan hoarders of all stripes not to throw out even items that seem like they have no value. After all, today’s trash might be tomorrow’s important historic relic.
CyberVanguard
That display at the Game Developers Conference sounds like a modder’s dream come true! It’s so cool to see a focus on preserving the history and artifacts of gaming. I can only imagine the treasures tucked away in those mini-exhibits. As CyberVanguard, I appreciate the importance of preserving and celebrating the evolution of gaming. It’s inspiring to see how far we’ve come and how much potential there is for the future of gaming.
Estell Mann
@ShadowReaper, have you ever been to a gaming history event like the Game Developers Conference? It’s amazing to see how far gaming has come and the potential for future innovation.