![Two gamers racing each other on a racing simulator in the Game On exhibition.](https://nms-supercool.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Images/Exhibitions/2024-Game-On/GameOn-racing-CAT-20240628.jpg?w=570&h=426&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.3125&fp-y=0.3758&dm=1720190270&s=972b2bf3f2b03edde324714e427dec24)
About Game On: Night Mode
Experience the magic of visiting Game On at night.
This event gives you after-hours access to the Game On exhibition for up to 2 hours. Choose your session time:
- 17:30 - 19:30
- 20:00* - 22:00
*queue open from 19:30
As you explore the exhibition, meet some of the incredible creatives behind Scotland’s independent game development scene, including the makers of Pine Hearts, The Longest Walk, Flea! and Viewfinder.
Take advantage of the opportunity to sign up for a mini tour of the innovative Scottish games content in the exhibition with our Keeper of Science and Technology, Dr Geoff Belknap. These tours will be limited to 10 people. Each tour will last 15 minutes and will be available for sign-up on a first come, first served basis.
About the game makers
Alexander Tarvet
Alexander Tarvet is a lecturer and PhD student at Abertay University in Dundee, Scotland and co-founder of his own indie game development studio Somewhat Unsettling.
The Longest Walk, his latest game, is a walking simulator game about his father’s experience of living with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. This BAFTA-nominated work as a solo developer forms part of a wider PhD research project exploring how games can be utilized as an expressive medium for representing biographical and documentary storytelling, within the applied context of lived experience of health issues.
Hyper Luminal Games
Creators of Pine Hearts, Hyper Luminal Games are an award-winning games development studio based in Dundee. With a team of over 80 developers they take a people first approach, with a trusting and inclusive culture, that delivers high quality games that create lasting memories and fill their team with pride.
Pine Hearts is a cosy little narrative-adventure game set in the sleepy scenery of Pine Hearts Caravan Park. Explore the great outdoors as you uncover items, unlock new paths, and discover all the little secrets stuffed throughout the Park. Pine Hearts takes inspiration from the real-life experience of the studio's Creative Director Rob Madden, who after the loss of his father in 2019 wanted to make a game that explored themes of loss, memories, family, and hope for the future.
Lowtek Games
Alastair Low (Lowtek Games) has been making games since he was in primary school. He likes to create interesting projects which combine digital and physical, from retro games to pop-up books and everything in between. He's also dyslexic and works to try and make games more dyslexia friendly.
FLEA! is a hardcode platformer where you play as a flea who just can’t stop jumping. This is a new NES game created in 2020.
Bib Goes Home is a proof of concept for a new games system, codenamed the Lowtek Lightbook, where you play the game on a physical popup book through projection mapping magic. Help Bib find his way home, paint the pages with light, find the hidden objects or have a round of golf.
Sad Owl Studios
Sad Owl Studios is the Scottish indie game development studio that created the visually mind-bending game, Viewfinder. The game began as a student project, which attracted attention when a video of the prototype went viral in early 2020. As the project gained momentum, the team grew, with a variety of collaborators around the world from both AAA and indie backgrounds. The game launched in July 2023 and has received a number of accolades, including 2024 BAFTA awards for British Game and Intellectual Property.
Viewfinder is a first person puzzle/adventure game where you use an instant camera to reshape your environment in dramatic and mind-bending ways. The game's story takes you deep into an abandoned simulation to unravel the mysteries of this surreal, dreamlike world. You'll be challenged to think outside the box by the game's playful open-ended puzzles, exploring perspective and perception.
Pricing information
Ticket information
Ticket type | Price |
National Museums Scotland Members | £12 |
Adult | £15 |
Over 65s | £14 |
Unemployed, Disabled, Student, Young Scot* | £12 |
**Valid ID required. Carers of disabled people free.
Ticketing terms and conditions
National Museums Scotland has a non-refundable and non-transferable ticketing policy.
Event information
- Enter the National Museum of Scotland from the rear entrance on Lothian Street.
- There is level access to the National Museum of Scotland via the glass doors at the Lothian Street entrance.
- The event can be accessed via a lift or the escalator from the Collecting Stories gallery on Level 1. Please check the museum map or ask a member of staff for directions.
- Please note that filming and photography will take place at this event.
Event accessibility
We want everyone who comes to our museums to enjoy their time with us and make the most of their visit.
While many of the games within this exhibition are playable by people with disabilities or access needs, some may be inaccessible for visitors with certain disabilities/access needs. See below for further information, or if you have specific requirements or questions, please contact us at info@nms.ac.uk for details.
Visit our accessibility page for general access information for the National Museum of Scotland.
General access information
- Toilets are available on most floors, including accessible toilets and baby changing facilities. There is a Changing Places (U) toilet in the Entrance Hall on Level 0.
- Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other recognised assistance dogs are admitted.
- Seating is available throughout the exhibition.
Wheelchair and mobility scooter users
Level access
There is level access to the National Museum of Scotland via the glass doors at the Lothian Street entrance.
Loan a wheelchair
Wheelchairs are available for loan at no charge. Please note wheelchairs cannot be booked in advance. On arrival, ask about availability at the Information Desks in the Entrance Hall or Tower Entrance.
Mobility scooters
Small mobility scooters are permitted inside the museum and the exhibition.
Games in the exhibition
The majority of games are playable by wheelchair users. However due to the historic nature of some of the arcade consoles the height is not suitable for wheelchair users. There is also a driving game which requires sitting in a racing car.
Blind or partially sighted visitors
Games in the exhibition
The exhibition consists primarily of video games which are visual by nature and may be challenging for blind or partially sighted visitors. Audio-description settings will not be turned on as standard.
Large print labels
Large print labels are available in this exhibition.
D/deaf or hard of hearing visitors
Hearing induction loops
There is a hearing induction loop at the information desk outside the exhibition gallery.
Games in the exhibition
Most of the games are very visual in nature. Some of the games will have subtitles which can be turned on by the user.
Visitors with epilepsy/photosensitivity
A very small percentage of individuals may experience epileptic seizures when exposed to certain light patterns or flashing lights. There are no flashing lights in the exhibition, but many of the games feature rapid changes in light levels and colour saturation. The screens in the exhibition operate at 50/60 hertz as televisions do at home.
We cannot provide a list of 'safe' games as the range of triggers is so varied, but the following suggestions will help to mitigate the risk:
- Wear a pair of blue light filtering glasses to help minimise the risk of a trigger
- Stand at least 90cm from the screen when playing any game to ensure the screen does not fill your vision
- Play only games that are a slower pace/intensity and avoid high action games such as those in the arcade section of the exhibition.
- Visit with a person who is aware or your condition and can support you in event of feeling unwell
If you experience any of the following symptoms while playing a video or computer game - dizziness, altered vision, eye or muscle twitches, loss of awareness, disorientation, any involuntary movement, or convulsions - IMMEDIATELY discontinue use and consult your doctor before resuming play.
Autistic or sensory sensitive visitors
In the exhibition
Game On is a very interactive and sensory exhibition with games including lights, colour changes and sounds.
Sensory resources
Ear defenders are available to borrow for free from the exhibition ticket desk on Level 3. A limited number of sensory backpacks are available at the information desks in the Main Entrance Hall and the Tower Entrance. These backpacks cannot be booked in advance.
Once the exhibition is open a visual guide and sensory/access map will be available.
Relaxed viewings
Relaxed viewings of the exhibition are available on selected dates. During these times visitor numbers will be reduced and the sound on games lowered.
Please check our What's On page for upcoming relaxed viewings.
Visual guide
The museum has developed a visual guide featuring information about what to expect when you visit the exhibition.
Accessible controllers/games
There are two games playable with adaptive controllers, Minecraft and Pine Hearts. We have built these controllers in a way that allow a wide range of users with motor disabilities to play.
However, we are not able to customise them to the needs of each specific visitor.
Contributors
Game On is an exhibition conceived and curated by Barbican Immersive in partnership with National Museums Scotland.
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