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NOVEMBER 29, 2012 | COLLECTION & EXHIBITIONS, DESIGN
Video Games: 14 in the Collection, for Starters Behind the Scenes
Posted by Paola Antonelli, Senior Curator, Department of Architecture and Design Collection & Exhibitions
Design
Now on View!
Events & Programs
We are very proud to announce that MoMA has acquired a selection of 14 video games, the seedbed for an
initial wish list of about 40 to be acquired in the near future, as well as for a new category of artworks in Family & Kids
MoMAs collection that we hope will grow in the future. This initial group, now installed for your delight in the Film
Applied Design exhibition the Museums Philip Johnson Galleries, features:
Learning and Engagement
Pac-Man (1980)
Tetris (1984) Library and Archives
Another World (1991) MoMA PS1
Myst (1993)
SimCity 2000 (1994) MoMA Stores
vib-ribbon (1999)
MoMA Teen Takeover
The Sims (2000)
Katamari Damacy (2004) Publications
EVE Online (2003)
Tech
Dwarf Fortress (2006)
Portal (2007) This Week at MoMA
flOw (2006) Videos
Passage (2008)
Canabalt (2009) Viewpoints
Image 1 / 15 PERMALINK
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Pac-Man. 1980. Tru Iwatani of NAMCO LIMITED, now NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Over the next few years, we would like to complete this initial selection with Spacewar! (1962), an assortment
of games for the Magnavox Odyssey console (1972), Pong (1972), Snake (originally designed in the 1970s;
Nokia phone version dates from 1997), Space Invaders (1978), Asteroids (1979), Zork (1979), Tempest (1981),
Donkey Kong (1981), Yars Revenge (1982), M.U.L.E. (1983), Core War (1984), Marble Madness (1984), Super
Mario Bros. (1985), The Legend of Zelda (1986), NetHack (1987), Street Fighter II (1991), Chrono Trigger (1995),
Super Mario 64 (1996), Grim Fandango (1998), Animal Crossing (2001), and Minecraft (2011).
FOLLOW US LINKS
Are video games art? They sure are, but they are also design, and a design approach is what we chose for this
new foray into this universe. The games are selected as outstanding examples of interaction designa field on Facebook on Flickr
that MoMA has already explored and collected extensively, and one of the most important and oft-discussed
http://www.moma.org/explore/inside_out/2012/11/29/video-games-14-in-the-collecti... 1 de 37
expressions of contemporary design creativity. Our criteria, therefore, emphasize not only the visual quality and on Twitter on iTunes U
aesthetic experience of each game, but also the many other aspectsfrom the elegance of the code to the on foursquare via RSS Feed
design of the players behaviorthat pertain to interaction design. In order to develop an even stronger on YouTube
curatorial stance, over the past year and a half we have sought the advice of scholars, digital conservation and
legal experts, historians, and critics, all of whom helped us refine not only the criteria and the wish list, but also About INSIDE/OUT
the issues of acquisition, display, and conservation of digital artifacts that are made even more complex by the Privacy Policy
games interactive nature. This acquisition allows the Museum to study, preserve, and exhibit video games as
part of its Architecture and Design collection.
As with all other design objects in MoMAs collection, from posters to chairs to cars to fonts, curators seek a
Have ideas or feedback?
E-mail us at inside_out@moma.org.
combination of historical and cultural relevance, aesthetic expression, functional and structural soundness,
innovative approaches to technology and behavior, and a successful synthesis of materials and techniques in
achieving the goal set by the initial program. This is as true for a stool or a helicopter as it is for an interface or
a video game, in which the programming language takes the place of the wood or plastics, and the quality of
the interaction translates in the digital world what the synthesis of form and function represent in the physical
one. Because of the tight filter we apply to any category of objects in MoMAs collection, our selection does
not include some immensely popular video games that might have seemed like no-brainers to video game
historians.
Among the central interaction

design traits that we have
privileged are:
Behavior
The scenarios, rules, stimuli,
incentives, and narratives
envisioned by the designers come
alive in the behaviors they
encourage and elicit from the
players, whether individual or
social. A purposefully designed
video game can be used to train
and educate, to induce emotions,
to test new experiences, or to
question the way things are and
envision how they might be.
Tetris. 1984. Alexey Pajitnov Game controllers are extensions
and enablers of behaviors,
providing in some cases (i.e. Marble Madness) an uncanny level of tactility.
Aesthetics
Visual intention is an important consideration, especially when it comes to the selection of design for an art
museum collection. As in other forms of design, formal elegance has dierent manifestations that vary
according to the technology available. The dry and pixilated grace of early games like M.U.L.E. and Tempest
can thus be compared to the fluid seamlessness of flOw and vib-ribbon. Just like in the real world, particularly
inventive and innovative designers have excelled at using technologys limitations to enhance a games
identityfor instance in Yars Revenge.
Space
The space in which the game exists and evolvesbuilt with code rather than brick and mortaris an
architecture that is planned, designed, and constructed according to a precise program, sometimes pushing
technology to its limits in order to create brand new degrees of expressive and spatial freedom. As in reality,
this space can be occupied individually or in groups. Unlike physical constructs, however, video games can
defy spatial logic and gravity, and provide brand new experiences like teleportation and ubiquity.
Time
How long is the experience? Is it a quick five minutes, as in Passage? Or will it entail several painstaking years
of bliss, as in Dwarf Fortress? And whose time is it anyway, the real worlds or the games own, as in Animal
Crossing? Interaction design is quintessentially dynamic, and the way in which the dimension of time is
expressed andincorporatedinto the gamethrough linear or multi-level progressions, burning time crushing
obstacles and seeking rewards and goals, or simply wasting itis a crucial design choice.
After which (games), came whatwhat

is a museum to acquire? Working with
MoMAs digital conservation team on a
protocol, we have determined that
thefirst step is to obtain copies of the
games originalsoftware format(e.g.
cartridges or discs) and hardware(e.g.
consoles or computers) whenever
possible. In order to be able to preserve
the games, we should always try to
acquire thesource code in the language
flOw. 2006. Jenova Chen and Nick Clark of thatgamecompany
in which it was written, so as to be able
to translate it in the future, should the original technology become obsolete. This is not an easy feat, though
many companies may already have emulations or other digital assets for both display and archival purposes,
which we should also acquire. In addition, we request any corroborating technical documentation, and
possibly an annotated report of the code by the original designer or programmer. Writing code is a creative
and personal process. Interviewing the designers at the time of acquisition and asking for comments and
notes on their work makes preservation and future emulation easier, and also helps with exhibition content and
future research in this field.
Of course, what we acquire

depends on each game, how
it is best represented, and
how it will be shown in the
galleries. If the duration of the
game is short enough, the
game itself could be made
playable in its entirety. For
instance, visitors were able to
play Passage in its entirety in
MoMAs Talk to Me: Design
and the Communication
between People and
Objectsexhibition not only
because it took a mere five
minutes, but also because
the narrative and message of
the game required the player
SimCity 2000. 1994. Will Wright for Maxis, now part of Electronic Arts, Inc
to engage with it for the full
length.
For games that take longer to play, but still require interaction for full appreciation, an interactive
demonstration, in which the game can be played for a limited amount of time, will be the answer. In concert
with programmers and designers, we will devise a way to play a game for a limited time and enable visitors to
experience the game firsthand, without frustrations.
With older games for which the original cartridges may be too fragile or hard to find, we will oer an interactive
emulationa programmer will translate the original code, which was designed for a specific platform, into new
code that will create the same eect on a newer computer.
In other cases, when the game is too complex or too time consuming to be experienced as an interactive
display in the galleries, we will create a video akin to a demo, in which the concept and characters of the game
are laid out.
Finally, some of the games we have acquired (for instance Dwarf Fortress and EVE Online) take years and
millions of people to manifest fully. To convey their experience, we will work with players and designers to
create guided tours of these alternate worlds, so the visitor can begin to appreciate the extent and possibilities
of the complex gameplay.
The team behind this acquisition stars MoMA Architecture and Design insiders Kate Carmody and Paul
Galloway, but in preparing this research we have sought the advice of numerous people. We could not have
done it without their contributions, and thank them wholeheartedly for their generosity, enthusiasm, and time.
We will distinguish between RL (you know it, Real Life) and ML (MoMA Life). RL: Jamin Warren and Ryan Kuo
of Kill Screenmagazine; design philosopher and game author extraordinaire Kevin Slavin; and Chris Romero of
the graduate program in museum studies at New York University. ML: Natalia Calvocoressi, Juliet Kinchin,
Aidan OConnor, and Mia Curran in Architecture and Design; in Graphics, Samuel Sherman; in Audio Visual,
Aaron Louis, Mike Gibbons, Lucas Gonzalez, Aaron Harrow and Bjorn Quenemoen; in Information Technology,
Matias Pacheco, Ryan Correira, and David Garfinkel; in Digital Media, Allegra Burnette, Shannon Darrough,
David Hart, John Halderman, Spencer Kiser, and Dan Phier; in Conservation, Glenn Wharton and Peter
Oleksik; in General Counsel, Henry Lanman; in Drawings, Christian Rattemeyer; at MoMA PS1, Peter Eleey; in
Film, Rajendra Roy, Laurence Kardish, and Josh Siegel; in Media and Performance Art, Barbara London; and in
Education, Calder Zwicky.
We also extend our great thanks to the game companies and designers who donated these important works to
MoMA. Without their brave, forward-thinking participation, this project would not have been possible. A great
thank you to Tarn Adams, CCP, ric Chahi, Cyan Worlds, Electronic Arts, NAMCO BANDAI, NanaOn-Sha,
Jason Rohrer, Adam Saltsman, Sony Computer Entertainment, The Tetris Company, thatgamecompany, Valve,
and Will Wright.
Myst. 1993. Rand Miller and Robyn Miller of Cyan Worlds
Tags: MoMA collection, graphic design, interaction design MORE
Comments
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 10:37 A.M.
I just played that Passage game and it was the most boring 5 minutes of mawkish sentimentality Ive
experienced in my entire life -and Ive heard at least 2 Coldplay songs!
This is not a game.
Posted by Jef2D
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 10:45 A.M.
Homeworld
Posted by warren
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 10:55 A.M.
Perhaps Wolfenstein 3D, or a variant of Doom or Quake should be on this list? id Software released some of
the most influential and original games in the history of media. Half-Life was also incredibly influential and
popular as well. And there were certainly strong elements of creativity (3d level design, texture design, monster
creation and behavior) throughout the games in this genre.
Posted by Brian Van Nieuwenhoven
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 11:32 A.M.
Most definitely some early 3D First Person Shooter as the previous poster argued. Either Half-Life, Quake,
Doom. Also, in the age of internet and on the subject of communication between people-object-people, some
form of a Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game is lacking; EverQuest, Ultima Online or World of
Warcraft.
Posted by Nick
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 11:34 A.M.
Shadow of the Colossus belongs. The game that screams art while playing like none other. Great idea, love
the initiative.
Posted by Mark
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 11:40 A.M.
Design, Technical Innovation, Music, Pop Art, Underground Culture, Visual Beauty and game mechanics Jet
Grind Radio Come On! This selection has rights and very wrongs!
Posted by Canijochamaco
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 11:41 A.M.
Dark Souls belongs. If only to demonstrate the dierence between narrative in film/literature (presented) and
game (discovered).
Posted by sumadartson
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 11:42 A.M.
Immediately the problem will be what games seem the most artistic vs. what games are the most
important/influential. The problem with influential is it includes games like Wolfenstein 3D, which at first
glance would be hard to take seriously now, but the impact is huge (also from an economic approach, I believe
it was the biggest shareware game ever).
For now, they should focus on where artistic and influential converge so less Myst, more Tetris. Less
Passage and more Portal.
Posted by Ray
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 11:45 A.M.
OBSIDIAN!
It is almost a cult game dealing with interesting philosophical concepts life in the machine, does the end
justify the means?, and how a machine acquires a conscience.
Posted by Jose
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:10 P.M.
Im glad Zelda made it. But where is Okami?
Posted by ThatDude
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:17 P.M.
Suck on that Roger Ebert!
Posted by T
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:23 P.M.
@Nick : EVE Online is a MMO, and definitely more Massively Multiplayer than WoW or Everquest.
Posted by vDJ
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:24 P.M.
Nick, they do have a MMO up there. Its EvE Online. Look into it, its a lot of fun as soon as you figure it out.
Posted by John
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:28 P.M.
Art gallery tries to do a cool thing by display videogames as art. Bunch of games whine in the comments
section about the selection.
Posted by Thomas
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:31 P.M.
Dwarf Fortress, f*** yeah!!
Posted by NS
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:39 P.M.
I could not imagine such a list without the inclusion of World of Warcraft.
Posted by Aegir
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:41 P.M.
I would second the call for Homeworld a beautific rts.

One of the other seminal RTS games such as Dune 2 or Command & Conquer and certainly a FPS such as
Doom or Wolfenstein 3d should make it in if they can swing it.
Im not a huge fan of MMORPGs but you cant really ignore Everquest, Ultima Online or Warcraft as highly
influential gaming experiences.
Posted by Dave
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:43 P.M.
Okami must be there!
Its a real work of art!
Posted by P. Rodriguez
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:56 P.M.
I understand that this list is as much about design and artistic merit as about historical signifigance.but this
already seems quite haphazard and arbitrary. I would love to know a little more about the curatorial process
that assembled THIS list from the infinite possibilities. A few of these games had me downright scratching my
head. Individually I can see why each game is worth a look (except for a few) but as a collection I think the
current assemblage lacks a continuous thread.
Posted by Ian
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 1:31 P.M.
Fallout, that game of post apocalytic survival should be in this gallery, it is one of the most influencial games
out there.
Posted by Tony C
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 1:54 P.M.
+1 for adding Okami to the list. A blend of Japanese ukiyo-e (block print), sumi-e (ink brush) and kiri-e (cut
paper) styles of art. Along with the sound design, the whole eect is hypnotic, and just beautiful!
Posted by James G
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 1:56 P.M.
Most of these comments are missing the point of this exhibition, I think. Its not about which games are
influential or exemplary of what video games are, or a collection of the dierent genres of game or whatever.
Its likely better to look at these as examples of games as a medium, as examples of the ways in which games
are set apart from other media. Hence the focus on interaction design. A FPS or an RTS or an MMORPG are
not exactly going to be interesting examples of the artistic potential of interaction, although they might be
great examples of games.
Posted by Alex
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 2:02 P.M.
Excellent initiative. Game design is art, gaming is an artform. I love it. Although it seems a bit self serving as
Ive played Eve-Online for nearly 7 years.
Posted by Bod
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 2:13 P.M.
Three games should be added to your list, all downloadable games from this year.
1) Journey by the same company that made Flow. You are a hooded figure on a journey to a distant
mountain in the desert. Beautiful, devoid of any text, all the meaning comes from symbolism.
2) The Unfinished Swan A game that is remarkable in its design, as well as an unexpected story that unfolds.
You are a child who goes into one of his deceased mothers paintings. The world starts as a blank white until
you throwpaint balls to find walls and the way to some resolve.
3) Walking Dead The most traditional game of the three, and the only cross-platform (The other two being
PS3 explosive), You find yourself in a zombie apocalypse, caring for an 8 year old girl, and making constant life
and death decisions in a world where the monsters arent always zombies.
Posted by Frank Varro
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 2:17 P.M.
As an EVE Online player, the unique nature of CCPs Single-Shard UNIVERSE is extremely noteworthy. With the
upcoming addition to that standing universe, DUST 514 will be adding an entirely new level of
game-play(potentially) by having not only angry nerds in space blasting people into oblivion, but infantry on the
ground shooting each other in the face until it stops being funny. All while being online with each other,
Capsuleers in EVE being able to contact Mercenaries in DUST in real time(Orbital strike anyone?) bridging two
very dierent genres into the same persistent universe. The merits of the CCP and its Sandbox-Experience
that is EVE Online are well justified in being included in my opinion.
Posted by Scatter Gun
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 2:21 P.M.
Well, now I can say that I have a better video game collection than MOMA. Great!
Posted by Fellow Pigeon
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 2:43 P.M.
Alex, youre missing the point. Theyre talking about games as DESIGN PIECES, not as art. Canabalt isnt
exactly an interesting [example] of the artistic potential of interaction. Doom or Quake should definitely be on
the list, purely on how well it fits the criteria for Behavior, Aesthetics (arguable), and Space.
Really, its rather odd how there are no PC games on the list.
Posted by John B
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 2:46 P.M.
Tetris? 1984? Will it be running on a russian Electronika computer?
Posted by Jamtex
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 2:50 P.M.
I know Super Mario Bros. & Super Mario 64 are the obvious choices to include. But please consider Super
Mario Bros. 3, as well. Defninitely one of the best side-scrolling action games of all time, design-wise.
Posted by G
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 2:57 P.M.
Animal Crossing? Good choice. Id also go with Wind Waker for the Nintendo Gamecube.
Posted by Arywren
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 3:08 P.M.
May I suggest the Laser Disc games Space Ace and Dragon\\\s Lair? I believe those games were an important
breakthrough in terms of concept, art, animation, technology, aesthetics and influence for many current games
we have today.
Posted by iohann rashi vega
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 3:25 P.M.
@John B, they did include at least two PC games, EVE Online, by CCP, and Dwarf Fortress, by Bay 12. (I also
believe that SimCity might have been a PC game, but do not recall with clarity)
You can google for either game/producer and find their websites. I have spent 6 years on EVE Online, and
killed many hours on Dwarf Fortress. They are opposite ends of the spectrum as far as play style, graphics,
and design, but are both extremely enjoyable games with a challenge, and minimal to non-existent scripted
plot lines, leaving much to the player to sculpt and enjoy.
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 3:32 P.M.
No Sonic, No Silent Hill (PS1)?
Posted by Keyvin Ujvari
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 3:36 P.M.
this is a great list. Im happy to see Vib Ribbon on there (WHY was it never sold in the US!?!?!) and Katamari
Damacy, the most addictive game Ive played since Tetris. I think they should consider Pitfall, Defender,
possibly Wizard Of Wor (1st game with a voice chip), Cosmic Space would be appropriate just for the cabinet
alone, Ms. Pacman was equally important as Pacman, Dragons Lair and Space Invaders
Posted by burntfur
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 3:46 P.M.
Eve Online is indeed a significant work of art but whos the artist?
Posted by Matti
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 3:52 P.M.
Some great suggestions in this thread.
May I suggest the 2001 shooter, REZ? Beautiful aesthetics and a perfect marriage of music to a shooter
(something that sounds bizarre, but the game makes seem natural). Beautifully designed.
Posted by Michael Bortnyck
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 4:19 P.M.
@Matti, whos the artist?
Are you asking about the graphic designers? Or the complexity that is the living, breathing, space-drama that
is the driven by player interaction?
As far as I am aware, that image displayed here(9/15) is a screenshot of one of the new destroyer class ships
and a few existing frigates and destroyers.
CCP is fairly good about using ONLY the in-game graphics for most of their trailers. Look up the video EVE
Online: Inferno Trailer (or CCP Games channel) on YouTube sometime for the most recent trailer currently, and
watch the shiny new missile eects, which are actually how they look in game. The scripted ship maneuvers
and camera angles are the only things that are dicult to get while actually playing. But the graphics are very
impressive if you take the time to look closely at all the fine detail.
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 4:21 P.M.
No pinball games? Big mistake.
Posted by steve conn
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 4:34 P.M.
Or will it entail several painstaking years of bliss, as in Dwarf Fortress?
Bliss?
Playing Dwarf Fortress; youre doing it wrong.
Posted by snateraar
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 4:34 P.M.
No Bioshock, Braid, Civilization?
At least theyve discovered Dwarf Fortress.
Posted by Silverionmox
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 5:10 P.M.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim certainly deserves a place on the list, its a master in gameplay mechanics [graphics
are great too] such as being able to ignore the main quest entirely means that it can literally go on forever plus
the hundreds of mods in the PC version, means that is always subject to change. Plus the view of a
mountainous backdrop, in its splendor never gets old.
Best game for the past year imo and many agree.
Posted by Ascythian
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 5:37 P.M.
Descent needs to be on this list.
Posted by JV
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 6:11 P.M.
Not being a dedicated gamer there are many games that Ive enjoyed suciently as a spectator, either as
self-operating demos or as played by someone highly skilled, for the visual/ narrative quality and ingenuity of
animation. They were primarily on the Amiga, such as Cinemaware titles like It came from the Desert and the
Three Stooges. Mindwalker, also Amiga, was one that I also enjoyed playing, and may have been one of the
most original games that have been designed.
Posted by Cary
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 6:12 P.M.
I am glad that your collection guidelines address the preservation issues concerned with the games, especially
original v. emulation. I hope that more publishers will work with you to expand the collection.
Posted by hc
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 6:34 P.M.
I sincerely believe that Bioshock should be on this list. Not only was it a huge success, it was a beautiful and
deeply philosophical work of art.
Posted by Jimmy
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 6:41 P.M.
@John B: Really, its rather odd how there are no PC games on the list.
Um, there are no fewer than *six* PC games: Myst, SimCity, The Sims, EVE, Dwarf Fortress, and Portal.
Posted by Evan
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 6:44 P.M.
Every modern day creature comfort has an analog electro-mechanical ancestor, and in terms of the video
game, pinball is that, the grandfather clock of the arcade, the first machine that ever kept score for you! A
pretty major milestone in gaming, definitely a sea change from which a tide of evolution in art, science, and
supporting technologies have subsequently flourished.
Automated scorekeeping all started o with silk screened glass lightboxes that were backlit in accordance with
points awarded in game. Then the advent of the score reel then the digital numeric display, which begets the
alphanumeric display all which predate even the now antiquated dot matrix.
Before pixels were being pumped in and fired through our eyeballs directly on into our brains by tvs and pc
monitors, swinging flippers at a silver ball trapped in world a behind a sheet of glass was as good as gaming
got. And that pinball world was conceived with just as beautifully brilliant a set of notions as the modern video
gaming era has been.
I totally dig what MoMA is doing, fully respect it even, but definitely think there needs to be a nod given to the
era of analog gaming that came before the video games presented here by just one generation.
The art of game design is a fantastic study, and thank you for taking the time to showcase the work you have.
Really excited to see the MoMA collection grow not only in number of titles presented, but in breadth of study
as well.
Bring back the arcade!
Peace.
Posted by Dave Baach
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 6:59 P.M.
First of all, thanks to MoMA for making this happen. It would be impossible to please everyone with the
choices. This is an enterprise thick with nostalgia and subjectivity. That said, I agree with some of the
comments in this thread that some omissions seem odd: nothing from the Civ series? No WoW? Among old
arcade games, Dragons Lair and Defender beg for representation. But hey, the fact that we are arguing about
this here is a sign of the success of MoMA in this venture.
Posted by Matt Miller
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 7:16 P.M.
where are the apple IIe games? lode runner, montezumas revenge, balderdash, wavy navy, moon patrol, to
name a few. then old dos games like captain comic maybe Im biased because i played all of these. just as
long as kings quest never makes it to the list :/ oh and for atari, I wouldve chosen missile command or pitfall
over yars revenge. maybe I should read the requirements of how something gets submitted again.
Posted by jake
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 7:28 P.M.
and Prince of Persia (1987)?
Posted by Jordi
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 7:29 P.M.
I have seen a number of calls for the inclusion of Warcraft(I am assuming WoW, and not the original RTS
version), and to me, it does not stand out in any grand fashion as far as far as any of the criteria go. Behavior,
Aesthetics, Space, or Time, the only criteria I might note is that the cinematics are pretty, but the rest of the
game play it seems fairly mid ranged. If anything I would rather see Everquest or some of the other MMO
predecessors to WoW up there, that pioneered the MMO genre, for their player interactions.
The next thought that comes to my mind is what sort of hoops is the MoMA going through for acquiring rights
to these titles? Not to bash Blizzard, but I would not imagine the rights to their game comes easy.
And the next thought being, perhaps they are still in progress, this is just the initial 14 games in the collection
for Starters. It might be on the list at some point down the road.
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 7:53 P.M.
Starcraft, Crawl Stone Soup, Doom and/or Quake , and TIE Fighter should be added for sure, particularly the
last.
Posted by Nils
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 7:59 P.M.
For the love of god, people, can we stop the endless whining about my favorite game didnt make the list
already and recognize how awesome this collections very existence is?
Posted by Jarin
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 9:21 P.M.
@Silverionmox Why Bioshock? System Shock is not only a much better game but much more important to
gaming.
Im surprised there isnt anything from Ultima at all especially Ultima IV. There should also be Baldurs Gate,
Wasteland, Fallout, Civilization, Darklands and Masters of Orion. There are many more but these are some
from the top of my head that almost feel sacreligous to not be in the exibit.
Posted by Chromie
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 9:46 P.M.
I am writing in regard to your recent acquistion of Eve Online:
moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?object_id=162462
I believe MoMA should include these other products which the company CCP, which makes Eve Online, has
produced:
youtube.com/watch?v=7FPA2Bh6g0g&list=PL5752437CA9E0008D&index=3&feature=plpp_video
youtube.com/watch?v=aZCn6x1-j_8&list=PL5752437CA9E0008D&index=2&feature=plpp_video
youtube.com/watch?v=XPRSUVaKIwY&list=PL5752437CA9E0008D&index=1&feature=plpp_video
These CCP developed videos include such topics as hunting fellow workers with rifles, (protected) prison rape,
kidnapping and shooting police in high-speed car chases.
Then, I guess MoMA missed the last Fanfest event by CCP where they broadcast over the Internet a live event
where developers and players answered questions in a drinking game.
Or, again broadcast live, the controversial event where the Mittani, a famous player in Eve who has been head
of the player elected counsel CSM for several years, gave the user account of a clinically depressed player
which the Mittanis corp, the largest in Eve, had been griefing and suggested that everyone else do the same
in order that this person commit suicide. Details here:
mmomeltingpot.com/2012/03/the-mittani-calls-for-another-player-to-be-harassed-into-suicide-blogger-
reactions/
End result: CCP slaps the Mittani on the wrists.
I do hope these details will be provided in the informational description when the artwork goes on exhibition.
I would like to thank MoMA on their fine acquistion choice.
Posted by Philip
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 10:10 P.M.
+1 for including EVE online, and suggesting Street Fighter II. These are both games which have gone far
beyond the rest of their counterparts in both persisting and remaining relevant in a medium of rapidly-evolving
products that are mainly produced as consumable products.
The Art in both of these games, are the players who compete with each other, innovate their own play styles
in a rich, well designed virtual environment, and react, respond and collaborate with the game designers to
iterate the game years beyond their expected shelf-lives.
Posted by Eric
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 10:39 P.M.
Video games arent art. Stop doing this. Video games involve art, but they are NOT art. They are in the same
vein of graphic design which is NOT art. Get your shit together, you guys are supposed to know about this
stu. This is embarassing.
Posted by 8bitViking
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 10:48 P.M.
Praise Armok
Posted by Stephen Vincent
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 10:57 P.M.
8bitViking, your sage words of wisdom will cascade throughout the ages.
Posted by Eric
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 11:04 P.M.
Hi Paola,
Take a look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQeHQ30eG30
The artist who did this work also lives in New York.
His website is http://cibernetic.com
Best,
Christiane
Posted by Christiane Paul
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 11:37 P.M.
By including Dwarf Fortress on this list, MoMA will ocially change its name to MaGMA.
Glorious, glorious choice by MoMA. Truly a game that deserves recognition in the highest form.
Posted by MaximumZero
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 11:41 P.M.
Congrats on a good start with this collection. Breaking new ground, you follow in your own grand tradition.
It is art as well as design.
A long time EVE Online player.
Posted by John D. Berry
NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 11:47 P.M.
I think you should probably add an elder scrolls game (the easiest would probably be daggerfall) to represent
western RPGs alongside your JRPG (for those unaware, Chrono Trigger). I say Elder Scrolls because I myself
am partial to them, and TES series is massively influential to the western rpg genre. Also, I have a feeling that
Bethesda would like the idea.
Posted by C. G. Roberts
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 12:15 A.M.
I am going to reiterate what only a few people have said: This exhibit isnt saying that these games are art.
They are saying they have art in them, but not that as a whole it is art. That is why they classify the exhibit
under Architecture and Design.
Posted by Zac Frazier
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 12:18 A.M.
Ive played just about all of these and Ive been playing EVE since 2007 and one game Id very much love to
added to the collection is the point-and-click puzzle adventure game, Machinarium. The artwork, game-play,
plot and music are outstanding!
Posted by Greg
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 1:15 A.M.
@8bitViking
Who are you to determine what art is. There are far less artistic statues scattered around most metropolitan
areas that make you scratch your head and wonder why is this here. The art of video games is not purely
the graphics, but the entire feeling and experience it provokes.
Your comment however, is over the top pessimistic. And you dont sound like youre a whole lot of fun to be
around.
+1 for EVE
Posted by mhmm
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 2:26 A.M.
A brilliant list and some fantastic suggestions among the comments, however I couldnt find a single
suggestion for Deus Ex A game I know you consider one of the greatest games ever made ^_~
Posted by Meadhbhe
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 3:32 A.M.
Okay, first, have you been to MoMa? It is at least as much about design as Art (so called) and in fact did
you read the article? the intent to show these works from a design perspective has informed the curatorial
decisions theyve made.
Second, Id be fascinated to hear your decision of what, exactly, is and isnt art. Given that MoMa has (or
certainly had) a brush head nailed up on a wall as Art and given that I am prepared to accept that (as though
my say mattered at all) I am certainly accepting video games some, curated and appraised as Art. They
are works of expression, through a medium, created by people with intent. They have, In there entirety, the
capacity to be Art; not all are, just as not all paintings are, but some certainly can be. I would argue, as an
example, that Fallout by virtue of its narrative, interactive nature, compellingly realized setting and exceptional
ending(s) is a work of Art. I know that I certainly felt something strong, and almost profound, upon its
completion. More than I feel when Im in the presence of a Pollock, say.
Posted by Dan Porsa
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 3:50 A.M.
System Shock 2
Megaman
+for Dune 2, Shadow of the Colossus, Dark Souls
Posted by Zael
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 4:59 A.M.
What, no Lemmings?
Posted by nickgrim
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 6:01 A.M.
ADD THE NEVERHOOD!! ;_;
Posted by Jawad
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 6:24 A.M.
seems slightly Nintendo biased with a few Marios and no Sonics
Posted by Vigi
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 7:01 A.M.
1) as mentioned various posts before: the list lacks an 3d FPS shooter, some early one as quake or doom,
because it greatly influenced the impression of space in simulated environment.
2) it lacks some decent Simulation Game (Some sort of racing/flight sim/real pilot training simulation) as it
enables the player to experience something they havent done IRL
3) probably minecraft as it distorts the IG goals of what is seen as a WIN/Loose and overall Sandbox
Posted by rasicloud
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 7:06 A.M.
I think videogames definitely count as art, sculpted from light and mathematics.
Some of the my favourite game posts on here are nuts. WoW an interaction design classic? What? You
might as well credit the inventor of the mouse or keyboard.
Now why isnt Defender in this to be list? Unique and perfectly designed control system.
Posted by Rob
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 7:35 A.M.
@8bitViking So how would you define art? A hundred years ago the same was said of photography, but no
one was able to define art in such a way as to include what was (at the time) traditionally considered art and
exclude photographs. How are you going to define art to include what you want but exclude video games (or
for that matter graphic design). What do you really gain from defining art in such a way as to exclude
mediums?
I can understand wanting to exclude those things that lack expressive value independent of the medium that
they are in. Yet it seems to me that one could be an artist in the medium of accountancy by using the tools
provided in that medium to express themselves meaningfully.
A huge part of the value of this collection is to push the bounds of what art is traditionally considered to be.
There is no question that video games are art anything that people can do could be art.
Posted by Kyle
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 7:42 A.M.
I hope Dr. Antonelli catches thisI am an arcade game collector, and in fact have a couple noted in the press
release (Spacewar! [Space Wars,] and Pong [cockail Fascination 4-plr.] The problem for you will be the limited
life of CRT displays, especially when exhibited daily. They function like incandescent lightbulbs and will
probably serve no more than 5 or 10 years in those circumstances. Emulation on modern hardware is one
solution; or simply stockpiling spare CRTs while they are still available (I replaced the Cinematronics Space
Wars CRT last year, for instance.) Congrats on your body of work, and this challenging exhibit. Chas, exhibits
designer, USAF Museum.
Posted by chaslittell
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 7:58 A.M.
Relax everyone. they will put up more games over time. These guy know what they are doing. Stop
complaning that your fave game isint on here it makes you sound childish and undeserving. Some game i
admit should be on here but give theses guys a break.
Posted by Graham
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 8:19 A.M.
I sincerely hope you will consider Reunion (DOS) for this list, a severely underrated space-simulation/RTS
game from Hungary. That was THE game that peaked my interest in astronomy, popular science and futurist
thought.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reunion_(video_game)
PS: It was highly appropriate the the spam check word i had to put in was: ding, as in DING! Level up!
Posted by Cato
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 8:43 A.M.
Joust was the one true work of art among the early video games.
Posted by Ignatz
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 8:53 A.M.
Halo? Elder Scrolls? Fallout?
Posted by Hailey
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 8:55 A.M.
Dear Ms. Antonelli: Im expanding my History of NYC in 50 Objects that I wrote for the NY Times. Any
suggestions from you or your readers of transformative or emblematic objects would be welcome at
samrob@nytimes.com
Posted by Sam Roberts
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 9:11 A.M.
The list so far seems good to me. I completely forgot about Another World, I enjoyed that game a lot when I
was young.
Im surprised that games that were developed as Art Games were left out but I suppose theyre working to it.
The Path, The Graveyard, Cat and the Coup, Yume Nikki, and Fatale come to mind.
Posted by Gary
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 9:40 A.M.
Nice choicesLong time EVE player, great game. For those that dont know what it is check it out, top tier
MMO.
But really.FINAL FANTASY!!!!
Posted by Game guy
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 9:52 A.M.
Remember some of your favorite games are owned by companies that are dicult and possibly greedy. GIve
the MOMA time to break it down to them. I have not seen a single mention of Unreal whose AI engine is still
running FPS today.
Posted by aibhneduin
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 10:22 A.M.
Tempest.
Im not a game player and I really stink at them. Tempest was the only one I enjoyed and got better at playing.
Posted by hartley
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 10:43 A.M.
The lack of Okami, Ico, and Shadow of the Colossus on that list makes me sad. Those game are some of the
few games in my opinion that truly deserves to be considered art. Shadow of the Colossus especially for its
vast open world and details. Weird to see Katamari Damacy on their, but at the same time I can sorta
understand it being there.
Posted by Erik
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 10:48 A.M.
As far as Elder Scrolls goes, I would recommend Morrowind, more specifically its Construction Set and some
of the larger mods that have come out of it, Tamriel Rebuilt in particular. This seems like the one that would
most clearly showcase design.
Posted by Abramul
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 11:05 A.M.
For your consideration: A Slow Year by Ian Bogost.
Posted by kwandell peterson
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 11:38 A.M.
I would suggest that you add Oregon Trail to the collection, preferably on a teletype like students used in
school in the 70s.
http://vvoice.vo.llnwd.net/e10/5873189.0.jpg
http://www.citypages.com/2011-01-19/news/oregon-trail-how-three-minnesotans-forged-its-path/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Oregon_Trail_(video_game)
Posted by Eric Sorenson
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 12:00 P.M.
omg i cant believe that 2 most played games in all time with best scene and tournaments are not included.
They are part of my life and many others.
<3 cs1.6 & DotA
Posted by Dominik
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 12:32 P.M.
Its old, but it was famous at around 1987:
Leisure Suit Larry
And of cause Doom / Wolfenstein 3D should be named for being the first first person shooter.
One might not like such games, but they founded a whole new industry.
Posted by T.Kik
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 12:41 P.M.
i think video games is art because all the dierent colors and the art designs and how the people made and
thats most definaly art .
Posted by Itionna Leslie
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 1:42 P.M.
Great selection. I know almost all of these, and am not at all surprised that they made the list. I suppose Ill
have to revisit the MoMA very soon!
At Fanfest last year, Jon Lander (senior producer of Eve Online) blew my mind by explaining that they dont
think of Eve as a game, but a tool for players to wield against each other. It is thinking like that which deserves
to be in the MoMA.
For anyone who wants to try it, by the way this link will get you a 21 day trial.
https://secure.eveonline.com/trial/?invc=4664a4a0-a9fc-429a-8c7d-7443cf0fd3a6&action=buddy
Posted by Namy
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 1:57 P.M.
I m really surprised Ultima Online did not make the list. Its going into the Guinness Book of World Records
and was the premise for almost every MMORPG game out there.
Posted by Tom
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 2:00 P.M.
No collection of games as art will ever be complete unless it includes Silent Hill 2.
Posted by MegaBearsFan
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 2:31 P.M.
Bioshock definitely deserves to be part of the exhibit.
Posted by Devon
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 2:41 P.M.
Why not Heavy Rain? I mean, its a wonderful example of how games can exist where story is the only driving
factor as compared to the gameplay itself.
Posted by J. Weaver
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 2:49 P.M.
Im surprised you guys dont have Flower (ps3). it is this lovely indie game in which you play as the wind,
blooming flowers and greening grass and nature-ing up the place (there are old junk metal pieces all over,
zomg evil industrial whatnot). Aside from its clear green message, it is fun to swoop around as the wind and
the world you explore is really attractive. Game also has a unique control system where you hold any button to
move and then just wave the PS3 controller around, since it senses 6 axes (I think) of motion, it knows which
way youre tilting it and thats the way you go on screen. Absolutely recommended for a museums game
collection; other than Katamari Damacy its hard for me to think of a game with real gameplay that is both this
addictive AND this easy for non-gamers to pick up and play, not to mention that it is both beautiful and
unusual.
Posted by karen
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 2:56 P.M.
Also, in the plot section (if you have one), the visually aging but still awesome psychological horror game
Silent Hill 2. Other artsy games Im pretty sure anyone could see the merit in: Okami (PS2, unique graphics, so
much Japanese mythology you might be crushed, AND it is fun); Shadow of the Colossus (PS2, really unusual
gameplay and very beautiful also). I could go on but I wont. Ha. XD
Posted by karen
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 3:39 P.M.
Your experts forgot to tell you about Journey (2012 PS3).
Posted by John Reed
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 4:35 P.M.
Shadow of the Colossus is the most arty game ever made, IMO. Beautiful, lonely, strange: and thats before
you even meet the extraordinary colossi. MoMAbots, please add this to your list.
Posted by Agro
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 4:47 P.M.
Defender
That game is missing on your list.
Since its release, it has become one of the highest grossing

arcade games ever, earning over US$1 billion.
Posted by Frank Bell
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 5:02 P.M.
Happy to see MYST and PORTAL on this list. To me, they define video games.
k bye
Posted by John Cleary
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 5:47 P.M.
I feel like Cave Story should at least be considered. All made by one man, and probably one of the biggest
indie games ever. If you havent tried it, you can find it free, as it always has been, on the web.
Posted by ToasterOven
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 6:19 P.M.
Lemmings and California games
Posted by Nicole de la Motte
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 6:33 P.M.
While I love the recognition that video games are getting in this and many of the titles, I am a bit surprised that
Shadow of the Colossus is not on here. Other titles I would like to see on here are Okami as others have said
and 9 Hours 9 Persons 9 Doors for the DS.
Posted by Ian Solano
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 6:39 P.M.
I think the following should be included:
Half-Life 2
Super Mario World
Icewind Dale
Planescape: Torment
Galaga
Space Invaders
Sonic the Hedgehog CD
Fallout 1
The Oregon Trail
Final Fantasy VI
Asteroids
Team Fortress 2
Gradius V
Mega Man 2
Posted by AnthonyX
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 7:15 P.M.
Ms.Antonellis comments on the failure to include games like Grand Theft Auto (WNYC) are shocking for a
senior curator. To paraphrase, she says MOMA is looking for games that are life arming.not violent. Ms.
Antonelli, Guernica is a little violent.As is much of the museumss collection. Shameful censorship
Posted by Wayne Johnson Ph.D.
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 7:43 P.M.
I designed Pong and have some of the original documentation. Are you looking for that?
Posted by Al Alcorn
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 8:24 P.M.
How does The Last Ninja not make this list?
Posted by Adam
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 9:38 P.M.
You guys forgot text graphics games like ZZT, Kindom of Kroz (1984). ZZT was made by Tim Sweeney the
founder of Epic Megagames responsible for all the Unreal games and engines!
Posted by Chris
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 10:13 P.M.
Yay! Dwarf Fortress is fantastically deep, complicated, and awesome.
Posted by Geen
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, 11:32 P.M.
Please consider Shadow of the Colussus. It is to video games what art house theater is to blockbuster films.
Posted by Matt
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 12:35 A.M.
What about Phantasmagoria?
Posted by Korvin
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 12:37 A.M.
SO glad to see games are making headway as being considered art! Exciting. Im also glad to see Myst
made the cut.
+ for Okami. I also vote Shadow of the Colossus or Ico. Also Sword and Sworcery is a beautiful combination of
design, animation and takes full advantage of the iOS system.
Posted by Meadow Fabulous
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 3:22 A.M.
Knight Lore for the ZX Spectrum
Posted by Siggi
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 6:16 A.M.
I am missing some genres. I am not sure if these are the best best games representing these genres, but I am
talking about
text adventures (Infocom and predecessors)
graphic adventures like the ones from Lucas Arts
real time strategy (Star Craft, etc.)
Lemmings
Populous
Posted by Kolja
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 7:13 A.M.
I suggest to include a non-commercial mod for Civilization IV: Pies Ancient Europe.
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=352646
Posted by Keinpferd
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 7:16 A.M.
Obviously this is just an initial selection. Its like opening the first art gallery ever and having to choose only 16
paintings from all around the world. Give Antonelli and her collaborators some time. Wolfstein 3D though
should be there. Its format is what has dominated the landscape of video games for decades. For the future,
you should also think include textualadventures, like the early ones by Sierra.
Posted by Emanuele
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 7:22 A.M.
Im very sure that whoever wrote this didnt know a thing about Dwarf Fortress. lol Several painstaking years
of bliss? Years and millions of people to manifest fully? Someone didnt do the research.
To MoMA, should you decide to correct your article: A game of Dwarf Fortress CAN take several years to
complete, but they dont regularly last longer than a month or so, if youre lucky. The games unocial motto is
Losing is Fun, as you lose frequently, and in spectacular ways. Many games dont last longer than a week.
Also, its single-player (unless you share the save with the community).
Still, Im very glad you included it. I hope to visit MoMA in the near future, after you get this exhibit up.
Posted by Talvieno
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 8:44 A.M.
I would add Utopia and Microsurgeon, both for Mattel Intellivision.
Posted by Bryan Irrera
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 9:49 A.M.
from an emergent gameplay point of view Starseige: Tribes would be an excellent choice. The core gameplay
mechanics were turned on their head by player exploitation of a physics glitch, transforming a slow
basebuilding capture-the-flag game into the worlds fastest shooter with players skiing across the maps at
upwards of 300 mph.
Posted by manayoodsushai
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 10:40 A.M.
People have already say it but Shadow of the Colossus and Ico must be on the list. Theyre pure art.
Posted by kaworu141
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 12:51 P.M.
No XCOM (1993)? Lol what? Best TBS ever, 1 of the best games
Posted by ZergLIK
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 1:38 P.M.
\Over the next few years, we would like to complete this initial selection\
What\s hard about collecting video games? Just get them, right? Minecraft costs like $10.
Posted by PL
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 1:43 P.M.
Williams Defender with its carefully designed button layout and revolutionary approach and sound should
make the grade IMHO.
Posted by MarkS
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 3:12 P.M.
Im surprised that Shadow of the Colossus or thatgamecompanys Journey arent on the list. Both are
incredibly elegant and influential, while also having artistic and open-ended narratives.
Posted by Brodie
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 3:19 P.M.
Final Fantasy VI VII VIII IX? Pick one.
Posted by eric
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 3:32 P.M.
Final Fantasy VI-IX (pick one), The Secret of Monkey Island, Sonic the Hedgehog,
Posted by Eric
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 3:39 P.M.
Im so glad that Grim Fandango, Minecraft, and Zelda made the list. Its really funny to see people wanting to
add games like Halo and Skyrim. I dont play games that much, and my suggestions for addition are probably
already here.
Posted by Hltur Vuaqla
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 6:20 P.M.
Zak McKrackenn (LucasArts, fomerly Lucasfilm Games) is pure art:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zak_McKracken_and_the_Alien_Mindbenders
And btw: what about the Sierras Quest-Series? Kings Quest, Space Quest, etc.
Posted by Updown
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 7:49 P.M.
The synesthetic music game REZ should be quickly acquired [designer: Tetsuya Miziguchi], especially in light
of it being a very rich response to the work of Kandinsky.
And the rich planarity of the games spaces take significant and cues from the Modern paintings already held
by MoMA.
Posted by Greg
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 8:01 P.M.
The Art of Video Games exhibit at the Smithsonian Art Museum was one of the most thoughtful exhibits Ive
ever seen. The best decision the curator made was actually setting up booths where people could play the
games on a large projection screen. The controllers were mounted in such a way that the player had to just
stand there and barely move, allowing the other visitors to gather around and explore how interaction with the
video game creates art in itself. The players were also included in live video footage projected at the start of
the exhibit: close-ups of their faces as they played. It turned video games into performance art and was a
really smart way to lead into a room filled with video installations, historical time lines, and brightly displayed
consoles showing the evolution of games.
The idea that design isnt art is absurd at face value. Every artist has to concern herself with design when
composing the images they create. The placement of elements even in an abstract painting isnt arbitrary the
same way the creation of a video game is an expansive exercise in the design of a new universe.
I applaud MoMA for adding video games to its permanent design collection. I cannot wait to visit again in the
spring and explore the new additions to the permanent collection. Katamari Damacy is an inspired choice.
Posted by Robert
DECEMBER 1, 2012, 9:21 P.M.
Im so glad they added dwarf fortress and nethack, those game will never get as much praise as they deserve.
Also chosing chrono trigger from all the j-rpg is a proof of very good taste.
Posted by Aelig
DECEMBER 2, 2012, 4:41 A.M.
I think this list is pretty well thought of. Great selection for the first 14!
Some of those games are extraordinary experiences.
You should take a look into the folowing games:
Rez for the Dreamscast

Shadow of Memories/Destiny for PS2 and PC
ICO for the PS2
Shadow of the Colossus for the PS2
Posted by BA
DECEMBER 2, 2012, 8:51 A.M.
Please include the DRAGON AGE series from Bioware. Not only is it a fantastic video game, it shows how the
video game medium can be used to tell a gripping, dramatic, and majestic tale of tragedy and bittersweet
victory set within sweeping vistas and dank caverns that vividly mimic the greatest of arthouse films and
classical paintings by the great maestros of old.
Just as importantly, Dragon Age was the first modern video game to cater to the LGBT crowd, and included
homosexuality not only as a deep romance option but also as a recurring theme that brought the motifs of the
juxtaposition of our intolerant society to light.
Bravo to Bioware, and bravo to David Gayder, truly a great and underappreciated artist of our times.
Posted by Jaesun
DECEMBER 2, 2012, 9:22 A.M.
No zynga games?
No phone apps?
The nerve of them! Some of the greatest (worst) games of our time and its not on the list!! UNBELIEVEABLE!!
How could you!
Posted by LoveBeautyNGlam
DECEMBER 2, 2012, 9:47 A.M.
Okami! It is so beautiful to look at and listen to. I love the world that was created by Clover. For me, it is a
completely immersive gameplay experience.
Posted by kate
DECEMBER 2, 2012, 12:15 P.M.
A great move. Im very glad to see the potential of games as art recognized, and especially pleased to see
Dwarf Fortress on this list along with some old classics.
My own suggestion for the wishlist would include:

* The Secret of Monkey Island (as a representative of the graphical adventure genre and a masterpiece in
terms of graphics, music and humor)
* Ultima IV-VI (a classic, well-loved series of RPGs that is about more than just slaughtering countless enemies
these games were among the first to touch issues of ethics and also had recurring party members with
great personality)
* Baldurs Gate II (the first game pretty much revived the RPG genre, and this sequel adds more depth in terms
of gameplay, story and characterization as well as an even bigger gameworld)
* Master of Magic (a turn-based strategy representative which despite being considered a classic never found
a worthy successor that managed or even tried to incorporate all the features which made MoM so much
fun)
* System Shock II (awesome and highly-regarded mix of RPG, action and horror elements)
Posted by Korva
DECEMBER 2, 2012, 7:35 P.M.
Elite, \84, just from designplus meets a lot of those criteria
Posted by deSantis
DECEMBER 2, 2012, 7:59 P.M.
Great selection. I would also suggest something from the latest games in the Fallout series: Fallout 3 and
Fallout: New Vegas.
Posted by John
DECEMBER 2, 2012, 9:35 P.M.
Should include Streetfighter and War/Starcraft, these games molded generations.
Posted by Roger A. Deinla
DECEMBER 3, 2012, 3:25 A.M.
how sexist
ms pacman was a better game, visually more interesting
disgusted by MOMA
Posted by joemack
DECEMBER 3, 2012, 5:42 A.M.
Mario and Super Mario fond memories just as much of the sound as the game.
Posted by Denise Callender
DECEMBER 3, 2012, 11:34 A.M.
Kings Quest for the IBM PCjr (Sierra OnLine) amazing art and graphics for the time (1983), and the first (that I
know of) adventure game to have animated characters instead of static pictures. It paved the way for so many
of the games you play today.
The list so far is great, and Im sounds like it will evolve over time but this game seems like should have a
place in the collection because the actual art in it was fantastic:
http://www.adventureclassicgaming.com/index.php/site/reviews/120/
Posted by Ivan
DECEMBER 3, 2012, 11:35 A.M.
I mustve missed the part where they said they were taking suggestions.
Keep doing your thing, MoMA. Glad to see people appreciating the work that goes into making a game.
Posted by jv
DECEMBER 3, 2012, 12:39 P.M.
Well. First I must say that I am delighted that respectable museums are taking a larger interest in video games.
Then Half-Life 2. Must be included.
Posted by Xerxes
DECEMBER 3, 2012, 1:49 P.M.
Nice selection. Surprised at some of the lacking games though. For example, Amnesia: The Dark Descent is
unique in the complete inability to fight, or even look at, the enemies.
BioShock would be another obvious choice, certainly from an interaction point of view, given that the storyline
forces the player to reconsider the notion of free will. Still, nice idea.
Posted by Tom
DECEMBER 3, 2012, 3:54 P.M.
Mirrors Edge should be considered.
Posted by Fat The Fatso
DECEMBER 3, 2012, 8:02 P.M.
Hey, why you forget Monkey Island or Loom? they represents the old graphic adventure type
Posted by Ds
DECEMBER 3, 2012, 9:41 P.M.
Some worthy titles there and some dubious ones. Notable exceptions are:
Lemmings!
Doom (as some have mentioned)
Warcraft (the original, NOT WoW)
Im trying to rack my brain for others now
Posted by Simon
DECEMBER 3, 2012, 11:11 P.M.
Im so glad this is happening! But it would be great if Spore could get on the list. Or at least, the creature
creator.
Posted by Brian Spiekerman
DECEMBER 4, 2012, 1:19 A.M.
Half-LIfe. The First FPS to tell a solid story and to keep you immersed in it from beginning to end.
Posted by vertical
DECEMBER 4, 2012, 4:44 A.M.
I think Minecraft should definately be on the list.
Posted by Max
DECEMBER 4, 2012, 7:42 A.M.
i would suggest:
rpg games like ultima, wizardry (and many other i spent hours)
adventure like the quests king-, space-, larry-
varia battle chess, lemmings, ssi strategy games
Posted by shaoul
DECEMBER 4, 2012, 10:01 A.M.
Shadow of the Colossus. Okami.
That is all.
Posted by John McGlothlin
DECEMBER 4, 2012, 10:50 A.M.
Without question: Alone in the Dark (the original), parts 1, 2 and 3:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alone_in_the_Dark_%28video_game%29
Posted by Ryan
DECEMBER 4, 2012, 11:25 A.M.
Defender has to be added.
*
**** * /\
* * /\ * / \
___/\_____/ \++___________/ \__*______
Posted by MartCrane
DECEMBER 4, 2012, 12:31 P.M.
Im surprised at the people complaining that there arent any adventure games in the list considering Grim
Fandango is in the would like to get portion. The games in the list is pretty fantastic. My only suggestions
would be the following though:
Facade
Planescape: Torment
Prince of Persia (1980s version)
Oregon Trail
Braid
and possibly:
Black and White
Populous
Scribblenauts
and even some more indie games (love the fact that Passage is on the list):
The Company of Myself
Loved
Fantastic Contraption
Posted by James
DECEMBER 4, 2012, 5:32 P.M.
Pax Imperia I and Pax Imperia 2.
Posted by Joe E
DECEMBER 4, 2012, 7:59 P.M.
Even tough a lot of the games listed above and in the comments are extraordinary choices, I believe that it
would be wise to include games that would be classified more as a work of art than as a game , but are games
nonetheless.
This would include Yume Nikki, LSD Dream Emulator, LIMBO, Journey, and 99 Rooms.
Posted by Mugi
DECEMBER 4, 2012, 9:02 P.M.
Dont forget pinball!!
Some of the most beautiful pieces of modern art are pins from pre-war (flipper less) all the way to the 80s and
early 1990s.. Backglasses and playfields are a totally lost art form..
Posted by Pete
DECEMBER 4, 2012, 9:58 P.M.
O the bat, Dwarf Fortress is a great pick. This is a game that you would never see made by someone in it for
the money. A detailed fantasy world that is ultimately shaped by your actions, and very challenging.
Nethack also shows tremendous taste.
My suggestions:
Elite
DikuMUD
Abuse
Trade Wars (bbs game)
Legend of the Red Dragon (bbs game)
Falcon (flight simulator)
Double dragon (arcade)
1942 (arcade)
Smash TV (arcade)
Star Control 1/2
Master of Magic
Posted by a visitor
DECEMBER 5, 2012, 5:52 A.M.
manic mansion
wing commander
monkey island
starcraft
half-life
doom
mortal kombat
Posted by sven
DECEMBER 5, 2012, 9:31 A.M.
That is a picture of realMyst, not Myst or Myst ME.
The 2 in the gallery are from Myst or Myst ME, which are more or less identical at a glance (but I would guess
Myst ME in this case).
Posted by Jonathon Wisnoski
DECEMBER 5, 2012, 9:38 A.M.
Addendum to previous comment.
So the caption should say.

realMyst. 2000. Rand Miller of Cyan Worlds.
Since the other brother had nothing to do with realMyst directly. He did not even see it until it was released,
and hated it when he did see it.
Also Myst was designed by Cyan, they did not change their name to Cyan Worlds until after Riven, to show
their change in direction to multiplayer/mmo games.
Posted by Jonathon Wisnoski
DECEMBER 5, 2012, 10:29 A.M.
Deus Ex is still one of the best story-driven First-Person games ever. It was one of the first that evolved from
your actions in the game as to how certain parts opened up or how the actual dialogue of the game changed
to give you a dierent piece of plot when played. Even down to where you thought you would break the game
by planting explosives to take out one of your teammate cyborgs on a mission and then you find out that they
programmed that exact scenario in and the dialogue was vastly dierent from then on. There were also many
ways to do any mission. Like said cyborg, you could research and hack emails to get a kill code to shut her
down, you could blow her up in the mission mentioned above, or end up just taking her out in a firefight later in
the game. Depending on what you did in the game made the paths change or open up new options.
It really was ahead of its time and there has not been a game that really compares to it since.
Posted by FunkyBlue
DECEMBER 5, 2012, 2:03 P.M.
Just a quick response to Jonathon Wisnoski:
You made me doubt myself, so I double checked with Robyn Miller and Cyan. The images we have posted for
Myst are indeed from the original game. Thanks for keeping us on our toes!
Paul Galloway, MoMA Architecture & Design
Posted by Paul Galloway
DECEMBER 5, 2012, 3:02 P.M.
Where is Bioshock? As far as games as an art form the dystopian world of Bioshock fits perfectly. Ever inch of
the game made my jaw drop, from the water leaking in at every turn to the beautiful light and atmosphere.
Even the music from another time painted a beautiful and horrific canvas that I got to walk through.
Posted by Ari Berghash
DECEMBER 5, 2012, 6:21 P.M.
All I can really say is that Im very glad they chose to include Chrono Trigger,
Posted by Miles
DECEMBER 6, 2012, 3:12 A.M.
Its so nice to see a serious institution of fine art showing the rest of the world (that may not be as into gaming
as some of us) that the skill and eort put into many games can be just as beautiful/horrific, thought provoking
and moving as any other form of art can be.
Dont forget to add Psychonauts, Bioshock and Fable to the list!
Posted by Minty
DECEMBER 6, 2012, 12:44 P.M.
think a lot of these people upset about not having Bioshock and TF2 (seriously?) and Sonic (what?) are
mistaking the intent of the exhibit. its not the most funnerest games here, but games that make you think
about other things than playing them, or that challenge our assumptions about what an interactive
entertainment experience is. look at how many of those titles have no win conditions. this kind of presentation
is about -games,- not about gam-ing.- its about interacting with somebody elses head (or your own in a new
way) through software, not about which products deliver the best adrenaline rushes.
Posted by crawlkill
DECEMBER 6, 2012, 1:17 P.M.
tron.
Posted by jdx
DECEMBER 6, 2012, 4:19 P.M.
no homeworld!? jeez
Posted by vihor
DECEMBER 7, 2012, 4:38 A.M.
I am glad Chrono Trigger made the list. At the same time, the collection cannot be complete without Final
Fantasy VI and VII. These are the most awesomely beautiful games ever made, especially the Opera scene in
FFVI.
Posted by VictorSneller
DECEMBER 7, 2012, 12:16 P.M.
I played a lot of games, half-life,street fighter, WoW, modern warefare,planetside,world of tanks and star wars
online. Nothing compares to the interaction with others than eveonline, where you have to get hundreds or
thousands of people from all over the world on the same page for one common goal, this something no other
game has come close to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDVEHE10nHc&list=PLF614A7A6461E61E1&index=16
Posted by D.M.A
DECEMBER 7, 2012, 12:41 P.M.
I m really surprised Ultima Online did not make the list. Its going into the Guinness Book of World Records
and was the premise for almost every MMORPG game out there.
Young people lol. The MMORPG hasnt changed at all since DIKU and MUDs (You know those things that
Ultima Online ripped o without so much as a nod). Even before UO there was Meridian and before that you
had VGA Planets, Ursurper, Legend of the Red Dragon, and the THOUSANDS of MOOs, MUCKs, MUSHes,
Rom, Envy, etc. UO actually didnt innovate a single feature outside of slapping its 3/4 perspective and adding
mouse controls.
In contrast at least Everquest was actually a 3D MMO by innovation.
Checklist of MUD features predating UO:

PvP
Player House
Experience and Leveling
Classless progression
Graphics
Sound
Reincarnation (Still missing in modern MMOs)
Online world creation (Still missing in modern MMOs)
Guilds and Alliances
Instancing
Phasing (as defined by Blizzard)
Raiding
Dual Classing (Missing in MOST MMOs still)
Server versus Server wars (only took blizzard 7 years to finally start grouping shards together for BG battles)
Automaps and compasses
Oine interaction through web pages and BBS doors (and back in the day pagers and voice calls)
I swear nothing pisses me o more then some 10 year old kid claiming Everquest or UO were some how
special or innovative. Creative yes, but to be blunt Everquests only innovation in game play was adding 3D.
Everything else they implemented had been around in MUDs for DECADES.
Posted by Idgarad
DECEMBER 7, 2012, 7:04 P.M.
A good selection (am glad to see Chrono Trigger and Zelda on the wishlist), but I agree with those whove said
the list is incomplete without Final Fantasy VI. FFVII would be a fine addition, too, but it was more the
popularizer of the genre than an exemplar or crowning gem.
Posted by Ari
DECEMBER 8, 2012, 11:41 P.M.
For the love of god Limbo.
Posted by Funderburg
DECEMBER 9, 2012, 4:13 P.M.
Id be happy to help prepare material for an exhibit based on Core War: whether videos, images, commentary
or examples of elegant code. Feel free to drop me an email digital DOT wilderness AT googlemail DOT com
Posted by John Metcalf
DECEMBER 10, 2012, 6:18 A.M.
This comment is going to be bogged down with the rest but Id like to join the many others who are pointing
out that those people saying WoW or Doom or Wolf3D should be on the list are completely missing the point.
MoMA was looking for games that highlight interactive design, and human behavior as a result of, or acting
through that design. WoW does not have any attractive design, whereas EVE certainly does.
EVE is a truly massive in scale not just by player numbers. It is a single shard galaxy with hundreds and
hundreds of solar systems, each with their own celestial bodies. It has a fully functional economy that is used
as a virtual economic teaching aid at some universities, and finally the game is more player driven that any
other MMO in existence. WoW doesnt have a leg to stand on in front of EVE in terms of interactive design.
For Doom and other classics that defined gaming they dont necessarily have good interactive design, even
if they pioneered gaming thats not the focus of the exhibit. Portal (to use a FPS as an example) took the
gaming and turned it on its head (sometimes literally). Completely unique at the time, and forced players to
find the one way to solve the problem under the guise that they had a choice in the solution
Posted by Ryan Fraser
DECEMBER 10, 2012, 9:14 A.M.
Warcraft the original and / or Command & Conquer should be on the list, that was very influential.
Posted by Dragginmaster
DECEMBER 10, 2012, 11:00 A.M.
Almost definitely Homeworld as it was the first of its kind and it was very pretty
Black and White for the concept of allowing you to be a god
And EVE for the way it presents the sandbox for players..
Posted by Titanrex
DECEMBER 10, 2012, 6:35 P.M.
Okay, i get that video games are an example of interaction design. However, two points, first about the merits
of such a thing: With such a limited space for pure cultural pursuits in the world, I would question whether
bringing in the commercial will push out other less commercial things. It seems like a move calculated to
generate buzzbut the MoMA should be about educating about the best in design.
Which brings me to the second point: if you are serious about quality in video-game interaction design, you
have seemingly focused on 80s arcade and 90s-00s apple games, leaving out an entire era of Nintendo, Sega,
Sony, Microsoft.
But again, my ultimate point is, isnt the museum about education? Who doesnt already know about SimCity?
Posted by J.P.
DECEMBER 11, 2012, 7:20 P.M.
Another point: I think it would be more appropriate to have a secondary design site (maybe at P.S.1) to
showcase more experimental design shows or ideas like this. I think the main MoMA site should be carefully
used for GREAT design.
Posted by J.P.
DECEMBER 11, 2012, 7:25 P.M.
One more thing: It seems strange to say, but I think youve got to consider ethics here. Many great MoMA
shows had an implicit ethic to them: to represent new, world-changing trends in architecture, design and art.
They changed the world. Video Games did have great influence, but their ethical value is more flawedthey
were made to amuse (though maybe a side eect was they influenced a generation of software makers. But
are they really the great examples of interaction design? Movies also influenced art and architecture, but they
dont serve as stand ins for the art and architecture they influenced.
Posted by J.P.
DECEMBER 15, 2012, 10:30 P.M.
*drops mic*
looks like I just b-rabbited the MoMA
Posted by J.P.
DECEMBER 17, 2012, 1:43 P.M.
To the people complaining about whether this game or that game was or wasn\\\\\\\t on the list. This the
MOMA we are talking about. It\\\\\\\s obvious to me that you have never been there. If you had, you would
know that there is nothing in there that even has the remotest resemblance of art.
Posted by thecrap0n
DECEMBER 18, 2012, 10:00 P.M.
nobody cares what your favorite game is, nerds
Posted by mike
DECEMBER 19, 2012, 1:23 P.M.
Just wandering: Years ago I purchased an Ohio Scientific computer. Wood cases, small monitor, real floppy
disks with Pac Man etc. full manual and everything still in the box. Does anyone want something like that now?
Museum?
Posted by John
DECEMBER 26, 2012, 12:16 A.M.
Spec Ops: The Line is a painful absence.
Posted by Seth
DECEMBER 28, 2012, 2:41 A.M.
Why are there only lame video games here?
Posted by Montell Jordan
DECEMBER 28, 2012, 12:56 P.M.
I am so happy to see Grim Fandango on the wishlist. Lucasarts had many amazing adventure games, but GF
was definitely the best. Its one of the best written and atmospheric games Ive ever played. Glad to see its
getting some recognition after all these years. It was never a big seller, maybe this will introduce it to a wider
audience. ^I agree with Descent, Sonic, Neverhood and Half-Life/Doom having been left out, but Id argue
Rayman, maybe Tie Fighter, Relentless, and, perhaps even, Earthworm Jim are worth discussion. If this takes
o at MoMA, they should think about doing special exhibits on games (not necessarily essential, or work of art
games for the permanent collection) but ones that reflect a certain time period, aesthetic, or genre of the form
(Im thinking maybe an exhibit on controversial games over time, i.e. Postal, Redneck Rampage, Night trap,
Mortal Kombat, Custers Revenge, Carmageddon, et al), showing the press surrounding them and why they
were seen as being so dangerous. Now THATs and exhibit Id love to see.
Posted by Robert
DECEMBER 28, 2012, 5:43 P.M.
I would suggest Under a Killing Moon as a collection piece. Four CDs of interactive and graphical wonder
(for the time).
Posted by Amagadon
DECEMBER 31, 2012, 6:09 P.M.
Id like to suggest a game that oers splender not through visual presentation, but through its character
design and narration, in a game where every character is simply a cube, yet you grow to love the characters
more than any extensively animated character ever befoer seen, I think that is true art. To hie beauty in a
minimalist guise. The game in question is Thomas was Alone.
Posted by Xelios
JANUARY 2, 2013, 10:21 A.M.
one word: AMIGA
Posted by Stefano
JANUARY 3, 2013, 5:45 P.M.
SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS!!!
Posted by Zach
JANUARY 3, 2013, 9:45 P.M.
Video Games are more art then design. Design serves a purpose, while video games are a solitary experience
that transports you to another place.
Posted by Lil' Scrappy
JANUARY 7, 2013, 5:26 P.M.
Thanks to everyone for their enthusiastic and overwhelming responses to this dialogue!
Posted by Paola Antonelli
JANUARY 7, 2013, 9:14 P.M.
Are video games art? They sure are, but they are also design
So MoMA has spoken, unless you guys are sent by an almighty authority that overrides one of the most
prominent museums in the world, kindly shut up.
Posted by That guy
JANUARY 11, 2013, 10:27 A.M.
Ah, reading this particulary flood of comments has been such a merry experience! So many dierent sorts of
concepts clashing and combining! A historians perspective right beside gamers promoting their favorite
games, an internet argument on the definition of art right beside invocations of the blood god, and that old
pattern of gamers feeling all grizzled and old whenever newbies come along all in a single stream. I must
thank the Museum for this project, even if it were only for the discussion sparked!
Posted by Nivim
JANUARY 23, 2013, 4:47 P.M.
Remember guys, many people are recommending games that are visually nice but if you read the second
paragraph on criteria theres more to it than visual design. It even comes down to few bugs.
Posted by Atsushi Ehara
JANUARY 23, 2013, 5:53 P.M.
all 14 games should be copies of Shadow of the Colossus. Shadow of the Colossus is not only the greatest
work of art that is in video game form, but is also one of the greatest works of art of all time.
Posted by Evan
JANUARY 23, 2013, 9:31 P.M.
WELL ITS ABOUT TIME!!!
seriously, its great that people are pulling their heads out of their holes from whens the sun never shon.
I classify art as a physical manifestation of emotion, Sherlock Holmes was a manifestation of Curiosity, The
Scream was a manifestation of Fear and Anguish, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest was a manifestation of
Paranoia and Insanity.
if Film, Books and Pictures can be art, why cant Video Games?
Professor Layton, is a manifestation of Curiosity, Shadow of the Colossus is a manifestation of Fear and
Anguish and Max Payne is a manifestation of Paranoia and Insanity.
but because they are new, they are feared, like all new inventions, they scoed at the Automobile when they
said it would replace the Horse and Cart. they Scoed at Video Games when they said they were art. well, look
whos laughing now?
Posted by mattmanganon
JANUARY 24, 2013, 6:22 A.M.
I guess Final Fantasy was too Japanese, too manga. The games that got picked all seem rather American to
me, at least in style.
Posted by Christian
JANUARY 24, 2013, 11:23 A.M.
Man, some of these comments
Its a list of video games picked by the museum by their research and collected knowledge that is only the
start of a larger collection! It clearly says that games are being picked because of their aesthetics, the behavior
they cause in players, and how they portray time and space. This isnt a TOP 5 GREATEST GAMES OF ALL
TIME list youd find on IGN people! Games that are popular arent always actually great, and definitely might
fall short of what the museum is looking for.
Bottom line, your childhood favorites didnt make it for a reason, and not because they werent big/popular
enough.
Posted by Eric
JANUARY 24, 2013, 8:39 P.M.
+1 for Elite. It was pretty much the definition of space-sim. Persistent world, non-linear, pushed technology to
limits & enthralled a generation.
Posted by Vannus
JANUARY 27, 2013, 3:38 A.M.
Im afraid they are trying to avoid the violent video games, so the media wont give any negative attention.
Posted by Rasmase
JANUARY 29, 2013, 3:19 A.M.
Any 14 games could have been picked and people would still be complaining about them. This isnt the
definitive list of most influential most visually stylish most engrossing narrative driven games ever, guys. Its
just a few games they think meet their criteria, which is probably dierent from YOUR criteria.
Stop crying that game XYZ didnt get included and realize that theyre trying to look at games objectively and
as a whole, down to the very elegance of the code itself.
Does a game people think of as artsy (i.e. Shadow of the Colossus) mean that its material for the MoMA? Not
necessarily.
Posted by Dyna
FEBRUARY 7, 2013, 6:14 A.M.
Wolfenstein 3D and Tomb Raider please. For their inovation in perspective and modelling is outstanding.
Contemporary 3D gaming relies on their legacy.
Posted by Rudrix
FEBRUARY 13, 2013, 4:24 P.M.
Leisure Suit Larry
Posted by LaidbackLarry
FEBRUARY 18, 2013, 8:48 P.M.
I would love to see the inclusion of some classics that were marks on videogame history: Wolfenstein 3D,
Tomb Raider, Duke Nuken, The Secret of Monkey Island, Maniac Mansion (actually The Day of the Tentacle
would probably fit best the collection). There is also a new game that is so innovative (at least concerning
videogame industry) that I dont understand it is not there: The Secret World. But MoMA is one of the most
importants museums in te World, those guys certainly know what to do. Glad to see great games on the list
though.
Posted by Player
MARCH 1, 2013, 9:16 P.M.
Red Dead Redemption need to be considered for the list. I feel Rockstars capability to make a fully fledged out
landscape that looks remotely real is astonishing. Also I feel BioShock is an amazing example of Rapture, a
city abandoned long ago in a fallout between forces, would be a utter disappointment to the video game
community if this was not considered. I mean, the first glimpse of Rapture is simply breath taking, in my
humble opinion
Posted by Lemonz
MARCH 3, 2013, 8:01 P.M.
As others have suggested, some PS2 classics seem to belong here, such as Shadow of the Collossus, Okami,
Gran Turismo 3, Grand Theft Auto. Great idea and about time we started thinking about how to curate
interaction.
Posted by Gerry Parham
MARCH 4, 2013, 1:52 P.M.
The Neverhood should not be forgotten. It was beautiful in an unconventional way.
Posted by js
MARCH 5, 2013, 7:04 P.M.
That awkward moment where the MoMA becomes a childrens museum.
Posted by Realist
MARCH 6, 2013, 1:18 A.M.
Best said on gamesetwatch: Synergys Gadget: Invention, Travel, & Adventure from 1993noted
director Guillermo del Toro says it went on to inspire films like Dark City and The Matrixstamped an
inimitable hallmark in the history of interactive CD-ROM as one of the most profoundly influential works of
digital art whose inscrutability has mystified video game critics, still unable to find a fitting label with which to
categorize itrare masterpiece by Haruhiko Shono
Posted by SteveM
MARCH 6, 2013, 1:45 A.M.
Perhaps a much better instantiation of fine art (via Wikipedia) created by Peter Gabriel: In the 1990s, with
Steve Nelson of Brilliant Media and director Michael Coulson, he developed advanced multimedia
CD-ROM-based entertainment projects, creating the acclaimed Xplora (the worlds largest selling music
CD-ROM), and subsequently the EVE CD-ROM. EVE was a music and art adventure game directed by Michael
Coulson and co-produced by the Starwave Corporation in Seattle; it won the prestigious Milia dOr award
Grand Prize at the Cannes in 1996 and featured themes and interactivity well in advance of its time.
Posted by SteveM
MARCH 6, 2013, 12:54 P.M.
+10050 for including EVE-online. I play this game, I love this game.
Posted by Seg
MARCH 6, 2013, 2:22 P.M.
Most definitely some early 3D First Person Shooter as the previous poster argued. Either Half-Life, Quake,
Doom. Stop crying that game XYZ didnt get included and realize that theyre trying to look at games
objectively and as a whole, down to the very elegance of the code itself.
Posted by longbeach
MARCH 7, 2013, 12:37 A.M.
Wow, MoMA, glad you caught up to the 1980s so modern!
Posted by Buck Nasty
MARCH 7, 2013, 1:46 A.M.
If there were a swarm of robotic nanobees hellbent on world domination, the MoMA would put them in a show
and say they were great design
MARCH 7, 2013, 2:29 P.M.
The MoMA should also install theme park rides in the central atrium of course made out of recycled cow
bones. the kids would love that one. It would be another example of design.
MARCH 7, 2013, 5:09 P.M.
Then they should conduct a roundtable of the top video game playersa group of fat, smelly 40 year olds who
live in an alternate reality as well as their parents basement
MARCH 8, 2013, 8:03 A.M.
Wow awesome i liked it and thanks for sharing.
Posted by daniel thomas
MARCH 8, 2013, 1:13 P.M.
I sat through an hour of trailers, and every one was stupider than the other, Mr. Bloomberg complained to a
writer for M magazine, And then there were these ads for video games for adults! And you want to know
why were dumbing down politics.
Posted by Dumbing it Down
MARCH 9, 2013, 12:28 P.M.
You forgot Elite (1984) http://www.frontier.co.uk/games/elite/
Posted by Phil Raqoon
MARCH 10, 2013, 2:40 P.M.
Minecraft?
Posted by MDX
MARCH 14, 2013, 11:24 A.M.
Not sure the selection criteria. Glad to see grim fandango made the list. There is a whole series of sierrra online
& lucas art titles that have amazing artwork.
There is a subculture of hacking old video games to improve artwork (some publishers even release
anniversary editions of old titles with new artwork). Many current game titles allow users to create their own
artwork, add additional levels, etc. Not sure if this would align with exhibit theme but it shows an amazing level
of enthusiasm.
Posted by Chris Hunter
MARCH 14, 2013, 2:20 P.M.
Aside from the list of games you wish to add (all good picks) I would add some of the following games below.
Battlezone (1980)
Defender (1980)
Galaga (1981)
Dig Dug (1982)
Dragons Lair (1983)
Ultima IV (1986)
Sonic The Hedgehog (1991)
Doom (1993)
Donkey Kong Country (1994)
Master of Orion (1994)
Super Metroid (1994)
UFO: Enemy Unknown (1994)
Diablo (1996)
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997)
Goldeneye 007 (1997)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
Metal Gear Solid (1998)
StarCraft (1998)
Planescape: Torment (1999)
SoulCalibur (1999)
System Shock 2 (1999)
Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2003)
Half-Life 2 (2004)
Shadow of the Colossus (2005)
Okami (2006)
BioShock (2007)
Braid (2008)
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009)
Limbo (2010)
Red Dead Redemption (2010)
Bastion (2011)
Batman: Arkham City (2011)
Journey (2012)
The Walking Dead (2012)
They all are titles that have had some impact on the gaming idustry as well have some great artistic flare to
them. I would recommend trying to have all of these games for the showroom but of course it will take some
time to do.
Posted by Pyro
MARCH 15, 2013, 5:40 P.M.
Its ocial: the MoMA is an entertainment museum.
Posted by Ben Silverstein
MARCH 16, 2013, 12:44 P.M.
Jukka Tapaninmkis Octapolis and Sensible Softwares Shoot Em Up Construction Kit for Commodore 64
were real masterpieces, when remembering hardwares limitations.
CBM 64 had just 64K (not mega or giga) of RAM memory and only 16 colors (not millions).
Even with limited graphics, many 1980s computergame boxes were wonderful.
Especially that Barbarian II: The Dungeon of Drax cover, with the tabloid page 3 girl Maria Whittaker in metallic
bikinis.
MoMA has Mazda MX-5 taillights in their collections, but how about adding a Wankel Rotary Engine to Design
Collection? Or Moller Internationals Rotapower engines? Mechanical simplicity with high performance
fascinates me.
Or how about action figures? I have a large collection of Masters of The Universe figures from my childhood.
(today I collect Winx Club) Tomart Action Figure Digest said that action figures are art anyone can own. I can
live without Rovios legless birds and green pigheads, but where are the Lemmings 2 : The Tribes plushtoys,
wind-ups and action figures?
Whole universe needs good art, so how about beaming whole MoMA web site to the universe?:
http://earthspeaks.seti.org/
Posted by Jyri Snellman, Finland
MARCH 17, 2013, 1:43 P.M.
I have to say I\m a bit disappointed by the logic of putting video games at a museum. There is a case to be
made for it, but I don\t think it\s very strong as stated here. Interaction design is a weak criteria that could fit
anythingdoesn\t really speak to the historical significance that seems to be the main factor for deciding what
goes into a museum
Posted by Museum Fan
MARCH 18, 2013, 6:12 P.M.
Good to see Simcity on there, hope Prince of Persia will be added to the list!
Posted by Scarlett
MARCH 21, 2013, 1:35 P.M.
Not the games I was hoping for. That list needs at list ICO in it. In my opinion ICO probably is most beautiful
game ever released. Truly a special game.
Posted by Rodrigo
MARCH 23, 2013, 6:08 P.M.
Marathon!
Posted by Fred
MARCH 24, 2013, 7:02 P.M.
Putting video games on display devalues interaction design as a whole. Its like letting michael bay speak for
all of filmmakers.
Posted by Daft Spank
MARCH 25, 2013, 7:04 A.M.
Nice initial selection of games! Ive played most of them over the years, among hundreds of others. I agree
with others whove suggested Okami, Civilization, and The Neverhood as other excellent wish-list
acquisitions.
As for those who are complaining about other people complaining that some games werent included, youre
missing the point. The fact that people are suggesting other games shows that MoMA made a great decision
in acquiring video games for its collections, because people are *engaged* in the subject. Unlike most of their
collections, anybody can aord a video game, and 90% of people in the U.S. play some kind of video games,
so some people for the first time can have informed opinions about museum collections. Most museum visits
are social occasions, and this subject gives even kids something to talk about, and as this thread shows,
sparks conversation.
I think its great that video game artists are finally getting recognition from a museum!
Posted by Nik
MARCH 31, 2013, 9:19 P.M.
Hallo MoMa; I hope youll consider adding Starflight to your list; Its a real classic, circa 86 or so, and it does
some things that modern games have forgotten how to do like engaging the explorer player personality
type like sticking over 800 star systems (and some 1200 planets, each with a unique and laaaarge surface,
some with unique life) into a single 3.5 floppy disc (I still have my original copy on my shelf.) More than a few
game designers of modern times credit the game for inspiration.
Posted by Joshua Turcotte
MARCH 31, 2013, 9:20 P.M.
I have to point out that Dwarf Fortress is ANSII, not ASCII.
Posted by lwkejf
APRIL 1, 2013, 8:45 P.M.
Whither Q*bert?
Posted by Rob McCray
APRIL 2, 2013, 7:39 P.M.
Video Games? Good one MoMA!!!
Nice hipster marketing.
Posted by Hipsters in NYC
APRIL 22, 2013, 8:29 A.M.
First o, I have just got to remind, of the massive range of amazing, innovative and downright fun games that
appeared on the 16-bit computers like the Commodore Amiga and the Atari ST. There were some inventive
masterpieces on those machines. Where a small development budget didnt have to stifle creativity, during a
games development.
After a bit of brainstorming and a spot of internet based research, below are a few more suggestions. You can
probably checkout footage of all these games at online video hosting websites.
The game Sinistar (1982) for its early but excellent use of speech. For example, when the Sinistar tells you to
Run Coward!
Elite (1984) for its influence on a genre, on a generation and for creating a massive game Universe. This game
provided a dynamic space trading Universe, complete with planets, solar systems, tradable commodities,
upgradeable Spaceships and Pirates. All squeezed into around 48K of memory.
Paradroid (1985) on the Commodore 64. An awesome game, with far more depth to it than is initially apparent
on the first play. The range of uses that a single joystick fire button is put too is mighty impressive. If you really
want to make progress with this game, you have to balance short term gains with long term goals.
Check out Virus (1988) on the Atari ST for early and innovative use of both in-game physics and 3D graphics.
The craft you control has a vertical thruster which pushes the craft vertically upwards. To gain forward
momentum, you have to tilt the craft, balancing forward thrust with the maintenance of altitude in a 3D
landscape that was jolly impressive in its day.
The original Prince of Persia (1989) for its amazing atmosphere and the ground breaking character animation.
Which stood out amongst games for being very smooth and lifelike.
Stunt Car Racer (1989) on either C64 or Amiga (take your pick, they are both awesome). Here was a racing
game that revelled in the fun of high sweeping tracks, big jumps and an unbeaten Turbo Boost system. Also, at
the top the screen, you could see how much health your car had left. As the frame cracked from left to right
and rivets popped out from right to left with each heavy landing. Crazy, fun and perfectly executed. The C64
version gave the more advanced Amiga version a run for its money. But apparently if you hooked two Amigas
up, then two players could race head to head.
Speedball 2 (1990) is awesome. Arguably the best sports game ever created. The classic version was on the
Amiga, but it was also ported to the Atari ST and the Sega Megadrive.
For video game concepts, you cant get much bigger than the Civilisation games (1991) . Also for extra visual
splendour and an insight into the game, most boxed PC versions came with a large poster, depicting the full
web of technological and cultural discoveries that can be made during the course of a game. From the
discovery of the wheel, to the likes of the dierent systems of governance, to the Apollo programme and
beyond.
Lemmings (1991) was a classic, innovative and influential puzzle game that deserves to be showcased. It also
had some great music. Originally on the Commodore Amiga.
For a quick visual demonstration of gaming, the Greenhill Zone from the first Sonic the Hedgehog game
(1991) is worth playing. It is an awesome way of easing the player into the game and is good fun too.
Command and Conquer (1995) was made at a time when games jumped from using a few megabytes of
storage on floppy disks, to using 650 megabytes of storage on a CD. So the extra storage space, brought with
it an amazing range of in-game music and between mission briefing videos. There was also the space to
include a campaign for each of the two warring factions, the GDI and the Brotherhood of NOD. This was an
early example of successfully using the extra space on a CD.
Honourable mentions go to Super Mario Brothers 3, X-Com UFO Defence, Cannon Fodder (with the tagline
War has never been so much fun), Road Rash 2, Grand Theft Auto 3, Freespace 2, IL-2 Sturmovik 1946 (an
awesome and brutal Russian combat flight sim for the P.C, set over the Eastern Front during WW2), Portal 1
and 2, The Secret of Monkey Island and Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis.
Posted by Simon Smith
APRIL 27, 2013, 12:27 P.M.
Minecraft in its short span of existence has been responsible for creating more arts of work than any other
game out there I cant believe its not on this list!
Posted by Niko
MAY 7, 2013, 12:48 A.M.
I am not sure why Eve made it, its as much of a piece of art as a spreadsheet is.
Flow was a nice choice, however I would of gone with Journey or Flower over it. I found them much more
evoking. Art while sometimes has a vision for what it means by its creator, however it really stems from the
viewer and what they take away from it. Everyone has their own special experience with it. From your
experience with other players, to your take on what the entirety of the game actually means. I hope at least
some day it will make it in there with them
Posted by Sam
MAY 21, 2013, 6:04 P.M.
Xbox One sounds bit like Psone. Very confusing. And will there be Big Brother Watching eect with the new
Kinect?
Posted by Jyri Snellman
MAY 26, 2013, 3:49 P.M.
Amstrad GX4000 games console itself would act as a spaceship miniature in the homemade scifi movies.
Posted by Jyri Snellman
JULY 2, 2013, 12:33 P.M.
Its good to see video games finally being recognized!
I agree with the few comments previously posted that Shadow of the Colossus should be looked into for
being added to this collection. I feel that it falls both in an art and a design category. Not only is it visually
stunning, but the music composition and overall feel of the game is absolutely fantastic. Design wise, the
games ability to make you feel unimaginably small next to the various colossus is impressive.
I also agree that Bioshock is an amazing game as well, (the first look at the sunken city of Rapture is
breathtaking and a fantastic example of art deco) but I do feel that due to its relatively bloody nature, may
deter it from being exhibited. Which is unfortunate, but also understandable, since this horror is part of what
gives the game its wonderfully creepy feel. Also, the juxtaposition of music and atmosphere is unnerving,
lovely, and comical all at once. I will always associate Beyond the Sea with this game.
Posted by Stephanie
JULY 8, 2013, 9:03 P.M.
pinballs are art toowill be the next
Posted by gustavo
JULY 17, 2013, 9:31 P.M.
Video games are a distinct and essential art form; the fact that MOMA is daring to take a first pass at including
them is to be admired.
Remember, MOMA is a museum of art, not of video game history. The value of art is not simply its momentary
eect on the viewer; if it were, MOMA would probably not exist. The Abstract Expressionists (my most loathed
movement of modern art) are not important because of their technical achievements; they are important
because of the questions they made people ask. It is not the immediate experience of art that is important
anymore, but rather the ongoing eect of that experience.
This isnt a list of great games its a list of distinct and highly original computer-based interactions. Each of
the games on this list can be seen as something totally dierent from anything else that existed at its time. The
same cannot be said, for instance, for Skyrim, World of Warcraft, Quake, any Zelda game, and indeed almost
every commercially popular game in history. Most games do not attain commercial success through innovation
they attain it through refinement of existing models for the whims of the market. In short, if a game is popular,
it probably doesnt belong here.
Notable exceptions on this list are Portal and EVE Online, both of which were built on existing models.
However, both brought with them a vastly increased sense of the possible in interaction development. Portal
was nothing short of ingenious and is very nearly a perfect game, but its real contribution to the player was the
possibility of redefining the very rules of getting from point A to point B. And EVE Online is the best simulation
of true human interaction in existence because of its diligently developed economic model, beating out
Second Life in this regard by its inclusion of the element of human desire in competition.
Even Passage, which few people appreciate, belongs on this list, maybe more than all the rest. Just like not
everybody understood or welcomed Jackson Pollocks work (and Im one of them, I might add), the influence
of his work is undeniable because of the questions it left people with, not because of the immediate
experience. I realize that discussing anything outside of the immediate experience is a lost cause when talking
to gamers, but Passage is similarly important because it brings up questions in the players mind about the
nature of game interactions and the emotional need for clearly defined parameters of victory whether the
player likes it or not. I played it when it was first spread across the Internet, and even though I didnt exactly
enjoy it, the experience of it and the questions I asked because of it haunt me to this day.
Bravo, MOMA I wont get to see the exhibit but Ill do my best to catch the next evolution of it!
Posted by Steve Smith
JULY 24, 2013, 2:25 A.M.
While I agree that games like Fallout, Bioshock, and Skyrim should be added to the collection eventually,
something to keep in mind is that all of those games are rated M in the US. In a TED Talk, Paola Antonelli
described about not wanting to show gratuitous violence in the exhibition, and the MOMA is a very popular
tourist attraction for families, especially with this new video game exhibition, and young children will be
viewing and interacting with this material.
Posted by Allie
AUGUST 17, 2013, 6:10 A.M.
Great article
Thanks
Posted by Jo
AUGUST 20, 2013, 2:21 P.M.
Dear MOMA, Are you going to add Commodore 64s Triple Tournament to your collection? It was published
before video games became widely accepted form of entertainment, and it is so rare, that even lemon64.com
Web sites database knows nothing about it. It combines three popular video game themes (West World, World
War 2 and Space Race) in the single game. arcadeflyers.com really shows how rapidly video game technology
advances, half century ago there was not even pong. Are any of those arcade posters available in MOMA
Store? What kind of architecture are Jet Set Willy and Addams Family video games? It is very important to
remember, that history of microcomputers are much more than just Apple 2/Macintosh and IBM PC and its
clones.
AUGUST 20, 2013, 3:07 P.M.
There are enough violent video games. So, we need a new Laurel & Hardy video game, where players do not
use bullets or fists but cream pies. How about it, Larry Harmon Pictures Corporation Licensing? (please
excuse my bad English)
SEPTEMBER 2, 2013, 2:04 P.M.
I like how there are no rogue-like (1980!) or FPS whatsoever but they put Dwarf Fortress in there? What?
Posted by Remram
OCTOBER 8, 2013, 5:52 P.M.
Cosmology of Kyoto 1995 PC,Mac http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/cosmologyofkyoto

/cosmologyofkyoto.htm
Killer 7 2005 GC, PS2

http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/killer7/killer7.htm
LSD: Dream Emulator 1998 PSX

http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/lsd/lsd.htm
Rez 2001 PS2, DC, XBLA

http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/rez/rez.htm
Shadow of the Colossus 2005 PS2,PS3

http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/icosotc/sotc.htm
The Neverhood 1996 PC, PSX

http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/neverhood/neverhood.htm
Posted by Kashmir
OCTOBER 22, 2013, 2:16 P.M.
As Design and Storyline line, one of the greatest has never even been mentioned.
Planescape:Torment
That game, at the least, IHMO considered the most epic RPG I had ever playing. The writing and content
blows you away.
Posted by Chris
NOVEMBER 6, 2013, 6:21 P.M.
I thought Oddworld set the bar for art and design.
Posted by Je LaFlamme
NOVEMBER 7, 2013, 4:50 P.M.
Please strongly consider Shadow of the Colossus, it creates an environment and a feeling that I haven\t seen
replicated since.
Posted by Maks
NOVEMBER 12, 2013, 8:12 P.M.
a game i think you should include in this exhibit is Earthbound.
Posted by Daniel Goodsir
DECEMBER 9, 2013, 4:55 P.M.
Very cool and sentimental list,

cheers, Reggie
Posted by Reggie
JANUARY 2, 2014, 7:34 A.M.
This is great list! Thanks for Sharing above informations
Posted by Robert
JANUARY 26, 2014, 7:23 P.M.
Good work MoMA! The academic majority keeps on trashing game design and it has been going on far too
long already. First of many steps to come which will incept the fact that games are a variation of art and that
some are pure art masterpieces.
Posted by Decadent Sympozium
JANUARY 26, 2014, 9:24 P.M.
I would like to see one of the Metal Gear Solid games on the list. Amazing story, good visuals, perfect voice
actors, and that sence that your a Snake/Raiden throughout the games. And they last a VERY long time.
Posted by Kyle Clarke
FEBRUARY 3, 2014, 9:33 P.M.
This is wonderful! A great advance, video games a true pieces of art, visually, story wise and musically.
I think some other games should be included like Okami, final fantasy and kingdom hearts, in terms of art,
these would be my top choices as a truly magnificent piece of artwork,.
Posted by Amine Saade
FEBRUARY 3, 2014, 9:33 P.M.
This is wonderful! A great advance, video games a true pieces of art, visually, story wise and musically.
I think some other games should be included like Okami, final fantasy and kingdom hearts, in terms of art,
these would be my top choices as a truly magnificent piece of artwork.
Posted by Amine Saade
OCTOBER 4, 2014, 12:19 P.M.
Just some advice for your future acquisitions:
Flower and Journey (to compliment Flow)

Every Day the Same Dream (Molleindustria)
Shadow of the Colosus
Okami
Today I Die (Daniel Benmergui)
Odin Sphere or Murasama: Demons Blade
Missile Command (the flash version with the authors quotation at the end)
E.T.
The Snail Maze from the Sega Master System
Doom
Mortal Kombat (Sega Genesis)
GTA 3
Final Fantasy 7
Phantasy Star Online
The cultural significance of each of these should be obvious.
Posted by Johansen Quijano
NOVEMBER 12, 2014, 9:35 P.M.
El Shaddai by Ignition Games is in every way a video game that clashes the visual art form with the mechanical
one. It has seemingly painted scenery that greatly varies and impresses from beginning to end, including
gameplay that isnt focused on strategy or precision necessarily as its focus proves to be much more bent on
the fluidity of combat. Its a treat for the eyes with a tale loosely based around an age old Judeo-Christian tale
of angels before the dawn of man.
Posted by Anthony Bridgens
DECEMBER 14, 2014, 10:20 A.M.
While I agree with many of the titles that are on the seedbed list and many of the suggestions such as
Bioshock, I will not reiterate the cases for them. I would instead like to add something no one else seems to
have mentioned, the Mass Eect trilogy, created by Bioware. There are many that would complain about the
ending, but that is not enough to diminish the greatness of the whole trilogy. Mass Eect is a space opera
that is at the very least on par with the likes of Star Wars or Star Trek, and it has perhaps redefined what such
space opera[s] can, or should, be, much like the aforementioned peers did in their times. It is, admittedly, a
violent game that is rated Mature, and unlike other Mature games, it is actually a mature work. This maturity
only adds to the credibility of video games (or at least some video games) as an art form. Like many of
Biowares pieces it is an exemplar (or perhaps I should say paragon) of video games as a story telling medium.
Epic is a word that many today abuse, thus devaluing the meaning, but I feel that It is truly deserved here.
Though as I stated it is violent, but I do not feel that said violence should disqualify such a work, for it is filled
with a great amount of nonviolent content that could, no, should be considered art. There are many stunning
scenes, beloved characters, and more with artistic value, aside form the artistic value of the story. This story is
capable of aecting one emotionally in ways that few others can. Personally, I am not often emotionally
impacted by most stories, but Mass Eects influence on my emotions (and personality) is so significant as to
be rendered ineable. There are more details that I could state, but I believe this to be sucient to clarify why it
is my opinion that the Mass Eect trilogy should be included in this list, and recorded in the museum for future
generations to enjoy.
Posted by Christopher Bevins
JANUARY 27, 2015, 12:41 A.M.
yall forgot the textbased games..
Hitchikers guide being one.

LOTR for the oldtimers on bbses..
Posted by Twin
FEBRUARY 13, 2015, 12:59 P.M.
Been a longtime fan of the MYST series and grew up with some of these games. Sooo looking forward to this.
Posted by Janifer Cheng
AUGUST 23, 2015, 12:31 A.M.
Id like to suggest Metroid. ^_^ I loved the vivid colors and feel of the game. Some people still try to make
games that have the same look and feel as Metroid did. I loved watching my big brother play. I used to think it
was so beautiful. Well, I still do.
Posted by Valerie
NOVEMBER 18, 2015, 8:02 A.M.
More actual consoles to the MoMA collections?
How about some what might have been retrofuture, like Konix Multisystem, AT&T 3DO Player, Nintendo
Playstation, Atari Cosmos or Amiga Walker prototypes?
And why not Grand Theft Auto? MoMA already has some violent films, paintings, photos and sculptures.
However, Im too busy to play so huge games, instead I play (pop art?) like Smash TV and its seguel Total
Carnage.
Posted by Jyri Eero Paavo Snellman
MARCH 27, 2016, 10:31 P.M.
I would like you to consider to add Undertale since it was made by only one person as a message of peace to
the world. Metal Gear Solid as the detail of the story that persisted on the whole series and Gran Turismo, with
the imitation of reality. Thank you for the exposition, the visit was really nice!
Posted by Luke
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NOVEMBER 29, 2012 | COLLECTION & EXHIBITIONS, DESIGN

Video Games: 14 in the Collection, for Starters Behind the Scenes

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MOST VIEWED RECENT POSTS

Among the central interaction

After which (games), came whatwhat

Of course, what we acquire

Tags: MoMA collection, graphic design, interaction design MORE

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 10:37 A.M.

This is not a game.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 10:45 A.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 10:55 A.M.

Posted by Brian Van Nieuwenhoven

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 11:32 A.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 11:34 A.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 11:40 A.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 11:41 A.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 11:42 A.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 11:45 A.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:10 P.M.

Im glad Zelda made it. But where is Okami?

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:17 P.M.

Suck on that Roger Ebert!

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:23 P.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:24 P.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:28 P.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:31 P.M.

Dwarf Fortress, f*** yeah!!

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:39 P.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:41 P.M.

I would second the call for Homeworld a beautific rts.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:43 P.M.

Okami must be there!

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 12:56 P.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 1:31 P.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 1:54 P.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 1:56 P.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 2:02 P.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 2:13 P.M.

Posted by Frank Varro

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 2:17 P.M.

Posted by Scatter Gun

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 2:21 P.M.

Posted by Fellow Pigeon

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 2:43 P.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 2:46 P.M.

Tetris? 1984? Will it be running on a russian Electronika computer?

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 2:50 P.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 2:57 P.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 3:08 P.M.

Posted by iohann rashi vega

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 3:25 P.M.

Posted by Scatter Gun

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 3:32 P.M.

No Sonic, No Silent Hill (PS1)?

Posted by Keyvin Ujvari

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 3:36 P.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 3:46 P.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 3:52 P.M.

Some great suggestions in this thread.

Posted by Michael Bortnyck

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 4:19 P.M.