Oxford Museum opens video game exhibition 'explores storytelling'

A new permanent exhibition at Oxford’s Story Museum is inviting visitors to experience storytelling through the lens of video games.

The Story Arcade exhibition, which opened earlier this year with support from National Lottery funding, examines how gaming has transformed how stories are told. 

Visitors can explore a neon-lit, 1980s-inspired space featuring arcade machines, costumes, board games, and pixel-themed crafts and activities.

Charting key moments from gaming history, the exhibition moves from early classics to the expansive open-world adventures of today.

Caroline Jones from the Story Museum said the display “explores another exciting realm of storytelling.”

“Having travelled through 2,000 years of stories – from oral traditions in our Whispering Wood, through printed literature in our Enchanted Library – visitors will now step into an arcade like no other,” she explained. “We’ll take them on a journey from the 70s arcade classic Space Invaders to more recent games such as Never Alone – game on.”

Game writer Rhianna Pratchett, whose title The Lost Words is part of the exhibition, said the project “highlights the unique ability of video games to place players at the heart of emotionally powerful and meaningful stories.”

“Games can inspire creativity, empathy, and leave a lasting positive impact, especially for young people,” she added.

In addition to classic titles, the Story Arcade features games created by young designers involved in the museum’s Digital Dreamers programme. Working alongside industry professionals, the participants reimagined stories from the museum’s collection as playable digital experiences.