UNLOCK NEW LEVELS OF WONDER GAME WORLDS COMING SEPTEMBER 2025
The epic realms of videogames are the focus of Game Worlds, a major new playable exhibition premiering 18 September 2025 to 8 February 2026 at Australia’s national museum of screen culture, ACMI.
From the groundbreaking early titles of the 1970s until today, Game Worlds puts visitors inside the realms of 30 iconic videogames – 20 of them playable.
Original concept art, rare objects, playable demos and never-before-seen designs will be displayed, featuring the global online gaming phenomenon World of Warcraft (Blizzard Entertainment), pioneer of the life simulation genre The Sims (Electronic Arts), iconic virtual pet community of the early internet Neopets (World of Neopia), plus anticipated Australian new releases and more to be announced.
Curated and built by ACMI, visitors can play videogames in ways they can’t at home; from playing pioneering games of the past, to competing against a world record-breaking speedrun. Game Worlds delves into the player experience, unlocking new levels of wonder.
Game Worlds is the third in a suite of major videogames exhibitions at ACMI, after Game On (2008) and the internationally touring, ACMI-made Game Masters (2012) seen by more than 1.1 million people worldwide. It also follows the success of 2017’s Code Breakers, celebrating the achievements of women in the games industry; 2022’s Out of Bounds: Exploring the Limits of Videogames; and 2024’s Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition, exploring the hit Melbourne-made videogame.
ACMI Director & CEO Seb Chan said: “As the home of videogames in Australia, Game Worlds celebrates the continuous evolution of this century’s defining artform. It builds on ACMI’s multi-decade experience in making videogame exhibitions, and our long-term support of the Australian videogame sector through preservation, education, industry partnerships, and our dedicated Games Lab. Whether you love games as much as we do or have never picked up a controller, Game Worlds gives fresh insight into videogames and their cultural impact.”
Co-Curators Bethan Johnson and Jini Maxwell said: “’Videogame worlds are meticulously shaped by both game developers and player communities – and the experiences we have within them shape us right back. From the multiplanar worlds of Azeroth, to the haunted platforms of Pharloom, Game Worlds celebrates the groundbreaking feats of engineering, design and artistry that bring videogame worlds into being, and the communities and creativity that then bring them to life. Our exhibition is a tribute to creativity, community and ambition that have made videogames the most popular entertainment medium on the planet. We can’t wait to invite you behind-the-scenes of some of the world’s most iconic games in September.”
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks said: ““Videogame fans of all ages are going to love Game Worlds, which continues ACMI’s track record of showcasing digital games and supporting our homegrown games industry.”
“Digital games are big business for our state and the Allan Labor Government is proud to back this exhibition and support our next generation of game developers including through the microgame commissions program.”
Alongside the exhibition, ACMI is calling on Australian creators to submit their ideas for a series of microgame commissions. Commissions of up to $10,000 will be available for teams or individuals to create browser-based games, playable in ACMI’s public spaces for the duration of Game Worlds.
Further programming will be announced, including community nights, talks, film screenings, family activities, accessible visits plus exclusive industry and fan events. A book series and limited-edition exclusive merchandise will also accompany the exhibition.
Game Worlds is proudly supported by Major Technology Partner Panasonic, Major Research Partner RMIT University and Supporting Partner Sofitel Melbourne on Collins.
Game Worlds will run 18 September 2025 to 8 February 2026 in ACMI’s Gallery 4. Tickets go on presale July 3, and on sale to the general public on 17 July. Be the first to score tickets, join the waitlist at acmi.net.au.
Further information about the microgame commissions, including eligibility, the application process and selection criteria is available https://www.acmi.net.au/collection-preservation/commissions/microgame
About the Author
Adrian Gunning Adrian lives in Melbourne Australia and has a huge passion for gaming, technology and pop culture. He recently finished his a Bachelor of Journalism and is currently focusing on games journalism. When not writing and playing video games, Adrian can be found in Comics 'R' Us debating the pros of the DC Universe and cons of the Marvel Universe.
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