Did you know the video game industry is larger than the music and movie industries combined? The global video gaming industry was worth roughly $159 billion in 2020. Easily surpassing the film industry by 4 times, and the music industry by 3 times according to the 2020 Global Games Market Report. It is expected to reach $196 billion by the end of 2022.
Do you want to know more about the history of video games and the video game industry? The first and only National Videogame Museum (NVM) is located in Frisco, TX. The museum opened in 2016 created by John Hardie, Sean Kelly, and Joe Santulli. The three have been obsessed with gaming and collecting video games and related paraphernalia for years. Originally a traveling exhibition, the creators debuted the idea in 1999 at the Las Vegas Classic Gaming Expo. In 2011, the founders started a Kickstarter campaign in an effort to mobilize their archive as a first step towards finding a permanent location. While the preferred location was in Silicon Valley, the Frisco Community Development Corporation voted unanimously to bring the National Videogame Museum to Frisco as its permanent home.
The National Videogame Museum is one of the top attractions when visiting Frisco, TX. On any given day you can play the games of yesterday, today and tomorrow in Frisco. The museum includes arcade machines, classic video games, games on historic computers, and even a living room setting that will take you back to the early 80s. The arcade room has all the classics, Pac-Mac, Donkey Kong, and Frogger games. There are exhibits on the history of the industry and video game memorabilia.
The gaming industry is not slowing down and over 40% of gamers are female. The creators wanted a place to showcase this rapidly growing industry. The 10,000 sq.ft. museum is located in the Frisco Discovery Center, at 8004 Dallas Pkwy., Frisco, TX 75034. The non-profit museum has 18 different stations telling a story. There are many interactive displays which feature playable games. Visitors are encouraged to experience the games. It is the country’s first dedicated videogame museum. With the average age of a gamer at 34, visitors of all ages will enjoy the museum. It’s a place where people can learn about the history of gaming and where the industry is headed next. It’s a place where creative and competitive minds can meet.
There are over 100,000 video game consoles, games, and artifacts to see, including a giant Pong game. You can play on consoles like Atari, C64s to NES, PS3s, and Xboxes. There is information about the creation of most games. The museum offers programs and events like The Timeline of Consoles and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs. Rare gaming artifacts are found throughout the museum. The Nintendo World Championship cartridge from 1990 to the only Sega Neptune prototype and even an Atari Mindlink controller (one of only two in the world), can be seen in the Frisco museum.
The creators intend for the museum to show the value of video games. It’s a place where we can learn about history, and where the industry is heading next. For many it’s more than seeing the games, but it brings you back to a certain part of your life. It’s fun for multiple generations to visit and enjoy something together. The museum is a place where creative and competitive minds merge. It exudes fun! The National Videogame Museum also has a gift shop where you can find nostalgic toys like Transformers, Barbie, and GI Joe. If you are looking for an adventuresome afternoon indoors while in Frisco, the National Videogame Museum is the perfect place.
