National center for the history of electronic games
Encyclopedia
The International Center for the History of Electronic Games (ICHEG) collects, studies, and interprets video games, other electronic games, and related materials and the ways in which electronic games are changing how people play, learn, and connect with each other, including across boundaries of culture and geography. Located at The Strong
in Rochester
, New York
, USA, the International Center for the History of Electronic Games houses one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of electronic-game platforms, games, and related materials in the world (more than 25,000 items).
Originally created as a “national” center, the International Center for the History of Electronic Games changed its name in March 2010 to more accurately reflect the global impact of electronic games on society and culture.
, console games, arcade games, handheld games, and toys
that combine digital and traditional play. At more than 25,000 items and growing, the ICHEG collection is the largest and most comprehensive public collection of electronic games and game-related historical materials in the United States and one of the largest in the world. It is the only one anywhere that is linked directly with collections of more than 100,000 board and role-playing games, toys, and other artifacts of play that have inspired and informed the creation and development of electronic games. ICHEG is additionally supported by a research library of more than 130,000 volumes, including vintage comics and children’s books and the largest collection of toy catalogs in the United States.
The collections include:
• Games
• Game platforms
• Packaging and advertising
• Publications
• Electronic-game-inspired consumer products
• Personal and business papers of key figures in the electronic-game industry
• Literary and popular inspirations of electronic-game imagery and content
• Electronic-game antecedents
• Associated artifacts and documents that represent or illustrate the impact of electronic games and people’s lives
. This 5000 square feet (464.5 m²) exhibit allows guests to play their way through the history of video games.
, ICHEG is in the process of making all of its collections catalog available online. Many artifacts are already available to view.
, the CHEGheads—three experts from the International Center for the History of Electronic Games and their special guests spotlight key and unusual artifacts from the ICHEG collections.
.
Curator: Eric Wheeler
Acquisitions Cataloger: Shannon Symonds
The Strong
The Strong is an interactive, collections-based educational institution in Rochester, New York, USA, devoted to the study and exploration of play...
in Rochester
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, USA, the International Center for the History of Electronic Games houses one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of electronic-game platforms, games, and related materials in the world (more than 25,000 items).
Originally created as a “national” center, the International Center for the History of Electronic Games changed its name in March 2010 to more accurately reflect the global impact of electronic games on society and culture.
Collections
ICHEG defines electronic games broadly to include video games, computer gamesComputer Games
"Computer Games" is a single by New Zealand group, Mi-Sex released in 1979 in Australia and New Zealand and in 1981 throughout Europe. It was the single that launched the band, and was hugely popular, particularly in Australia and New Zealand...
, console games, arcade games, handheld games, and toys
Toys
Toys is a 1992 comedy film directed by Barry Levinson and starring Robin Williams, Michael Gambon, Joan Cusack, Robin Wright, LL Cool J, and introducing Jamie Foxx as Baker. The film failed at the box office at the time of its release, despite its impressive cast and lavish filmmaking. Levinson was...
that combine digital and traditional play. At more than 25,000 items and growing, the ICHEG collection is the largest and most comprehensive public collection of electronic games and game-related historical materials in the United States and one of the largest in the world. It is the only one anywhere that is linked directly with collections of more than 100,000 board and role-playing games, toys, and other artifacts of play that have inspired and informed the creation and development of electronic games. ICHEG is additionally supported by a research library of more than 130,000 volumes, including vintage comics and children’s books and the largest collection of toy catalogs in the United States.
The collections include:
• Games
• Game platforms
• Packaging and advertising
• Publications
• Electronic-game-inspired consumer products
• Personal and business papers of key figures in the electronic-game industry
• Literary and popular inspirations of electronic-game imagery and content
• Electronic-game antecedents
• Associated artifacts and documents that represent or illustrate the impact of electronic games and people’s lives
Interpretive activities
ICHEG develops exhibits and undertakes other activities to interpret the historical and cultural significance of electronic games to ensure that present and future generations can explore that history, understand how it began and evolved, and appreciate the impact that electronic games have on society. In fall 2010, ICHEG helped open eGameRevolution at The StrongThe Strong
The Strong is an interactive, collections-based educational institution in Rochester, New York, USA, devoted to the study and exploration of play...
. This 5000 square feet (464.5 m²) exhibit allows guests to play their way through the history of video games.
Access to collections
All the collections are accessible to researchers on site and thousands of artifacts may be viewed online. Many items are on view in The Strong's National Museum of Play displays and exhibits, where several are available for guests to play. Through grants from the Institute of Museum and Library ServicesInstitute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent agency of the United States federal government established in 1996. It is the main source of federal support for libraries and museums within the United States, having the mission to "create strong libraries and museums that connect...
, ICHEG is in the process of making all of its collections catalog available online. Many artifacts are already available to view.
CHEGheads Blog
In a weekly blogBlog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
, the CHEGheads—three experts from the International Center for the History of Electronic Games and their special guests spotlight key and unusual artifacts from the ICHEG collections.
Publications
The International Center for the History of Electronic Games supports the publication of articles and book reviews about electronic games in the American Journal of Play, an interdisciplinary scholarly quarterly of The StrongThe Strong
The Strong is an interactive, collections-based educational institution in Rochester, New York, USA, devoted to the study and exploration of play...
.
Staff
Director: Jon-Paul C. Dyson, Ph.D.Curator: Eric Wheeler
Acquisitions Cataloger: Shannon Symonds
External links
- http://www.thestrong.org
- http://www.museumofplay.org
- http://www.icheg.org
- http://www.americanjournalofplay.org