ACMI’s anticipated Game Worlds Exhibition is here, launching today in Melbourne. Just in time for Melbourne International Games Week, the exhibition explores over 50 years of gaming in a special curated exhibition including 44 playable moments, original builds, rare design materials, and hands-on prototypes not seen publicly before.
From September 18 to February 8, 2026, anyone is able to attend and learn more about the video games thanks to a special curated exhibition by ACMI’s own Bethan Johnson and Jini Maxwell. This is the third in a series of larger exhibitions centring on games that ACMI have curated. ACMI’s Game Worlds allows visitors to play video games in ways you can’t at home; from playing pioneering games of the past, to competing against a world record-breaking speedrun.
The Game Worlds exhibitions that have been revealed over the last few months have made waves thanks to the inclusion of Hollow Knight: Silksong, which launched earlier this month. The exhibition also includes major games like Minecraft, Final Fantasy XIV Online, The Elder Scrolls Online, SimCity, Stardew Valley, World of Warcraft, The Sims, and even Neopets!
There’s also going to be lots of local indie games appearing in the exhibition including Isopod by Queensland’s Sbug Games and new playable prototypes by Melbourne’s 2pt Interactive, known for Heavenly Bodies. There are also four newly commissioned microgames from established and emerging Australian game developers. From communal creature care in ACMI EGG, to a game world in need of colour in Salix8 Sunset, prospective traversing in What’s Your Angle, and love letter to hint lines in Hint Line ’93.
During the exhibition’s run at ACMI, there will be lots of opportunities to explore the exhibition, including late-night hours, developer talks, and other industry events celebrating the game-making community, whether you’re a developer or eager player.
ACMI Director & CEO Seb Chan said: “Game Worlds is not just an exhibition for videogame fans and their families, but for those who are curious about why we say they are the ‘defining art form of this century’. This exhibition celebrates the people, the players, the craft and technologies that make on-screen worldbuilding possible. We are very excited to premiere a new ACMI-made exhibition for our visitors to experience, play, and enjoy here in Melbourne first, before it heads out overseas on a long international tour.”
Alongside the Game Worlds exhibition, attendees can net themselves a collection of limited-edition exhibition merch available only at ACMI. The loot includes collectables from Neopets, Hollow Knight: Silksong and The Sims – and even ACMI-produced books from The Sims and Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Definetely add this one to your itinerary, especially if you’re headed to MIGW or PAX Aus next month!
ACMI Game Worlds is on now till February 8, 2026. Tickets are on sale here.
