San Diego--The Fleet Science Center announces the opening of their latest traveling exhibition, Game Masters: The Exhibition, making its California debut on Saturday, July 1, 2017, in the Fleet's main exhibition gallery. Game Masters: The Exhibition showcases the world's greatest video game designers, from the arcade era to today's console and online games, with 100+ playable games! (No quarters required.)

In Game Masters, the work of more than 30 video game designers who have made a significant impact in the field is explored through rare concept artwork, newly commissioned interviews and interactive digital displays. This is the first large-scale exhibition to take visitors behind the scenes of how video games are made as well as spotlighting the people who actually make them. From Minecraft to Starcraft to World of Warcraft, this is a landmark collection of the most popular video games on the planet, as well as independent games with a cult-like following.

The 9,000 square-foot exhibition takes visitors through the evolution of gaming from arcade classics such as Missile Command and Pac-Man, to iconic console-based games featuring Sonic the Hedgehog and Rock Band, through to today's indie hits like Real Racing 2, Fruit Ninja, Angry Birds and more. Other famous titles include Dance Central and The Sims. 

In addition to allowing guests to experience the games firsthand, the exhibit offers an in-depth look at the designers behind some of the most popular games of all time through rare original game artwork, 2D objects and revealing interviews with game designers. The key role played by smaller independent designers in game design and development is also explored.

Created and curated by ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image), Game Masters is presented in three sections: Arcade Heroes, Game Changers and Indies.

The first section, Arcade Heroes, spotlights pioneering designers from the trailblazing and revolutionary arcade era, including Shigeru Miyamoto (Donkey Kong, 1981), Ed Logg (Asteroids, 1979), Toru Iwatani (Pac-Man, 1980) and Tomohiro Nishikado (Space Invaders, 1978).

The second section, Game Changers, focuses on leading contemporary designers who have had a major impact on shaping the medium as we know it. This includes Will Wright (SimCity, 1989), Yuji Naka and the Sonic Team (Sonic the Hedgehog, 1991), Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy (Rock Band 3, 2010) and Blizzard Entertainment (Diablo III, 2012).

The third and final chapter of the exhibition, Indies, explores the groundbreaking and future-focused world of independent game designers. Artists such as Rovio (Angry Birds, 2009), Halfbrick (Fruit Ninja Kinect, 2011) and Markus "Notch" Persson (Minecraft, 2014) are profiled in this section.

"Game Masters promises to be an amazing behind-the-scenes look at the design and history of video games, plus a nostalgic trip down memory road for some of us old enough to remember the original Pac-Man," said Dr. Steve Snyder, CEO of the Fleet Science Center. "We're planning to extend our hours for the summer so families and adults of all ages can visit the Fleet for Game Masters and the many other interactive science exhibits we have to offer."

Two of the video games featured in the exhibition are from a local San Diego game developer, The Behemoth. Since 2003, The Behemoth has produced multiple critically acclaimed video games. The two games featured in the exhibition are Alien Hominid (2002) and Castle Crashers (2008). The first prototype of Alien Hominid was played online nearly 20 million times before being further developed for console release. Castle Crashers takes gamers in an entirely different direction with an action-packed, four-player adventure.

"We are excited to tour the globe with the Game Masters exhibition," said John Baez, co-founder of The Behemoth. "We put a lot of time, energy and thought into hand-crafting our games and appreciate the recognition we've received from the exhibition."

Game Masters features unique experiences, such as a spectacular multiplayer dance stage for a large-scale version of Dance Central 3 (2012), hands-on experiential music booths and a selection of 20 original classic arcade machines from the 1970s and '80s acquired especially for the exhibition, all playable in their original form.

Game Masters appeals to audiences of all ages and abilities, from families with children to the original generation of gamers, and from the average smartphone user to the budding game developer.

Game Masters: The Exhibition will be open from Saturday, July 1, 2017, through Sunday, January 15, 2018, in the main exhibit gallery at the Fleet Science Center. The Fleet will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily in July and August, with extended hours on Friday nights for late-night gaming.

For more information on Game Masters: The Exhibition, visit the Fleet Science Center website here:

http://www.fleetscience.org/exhibitions/game-masters-exhibition.

Images of Game Masters: The Exhibition are available here: http://www.fleetscience.org/press-room/images/exhibitions.

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To schedule a media preview of Game Masters: The Exhibition, please contact Fleet Science Center Public Relations Manager Nathan Young at 619-685-5743 or nyoung@rhfleet.org.

Interviews can be scheduled with the Fleet's CEO, Dr. Steve Snyder, and representatives from the Fleet's exhibition team.

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FOR MEDIA ONLY:

You're invited to the VIP/Media Preview Party!

Members of the media are invited to join us for our VIP/Media Preview Party for Game Masters: The Exhibition on Thursday, June 29, 2017, from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m.

The event will include complimentary hors d'oeuvres, an open bar and an exclusive sneak peek of Game Masters!

If you and a guest would like to attend, please RSVP via the Eventbrite link below. Please RSVP by June 22. Space is limited.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/preview-party-for-game-masters-the-exhibition-tickets-34734305242

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About ACMI

ACMI is Australia's only national museum of film, video games, digital culture and art - situated at the very heart of Melbourne, in Federation Square. The world's most visited moving image or film museum, ACMI exists to celebrate, support and explore the past, present and future of the moving image through a vibrant calendar of exhibitions, screenings, installations and commissions, festivals, workshops, as well as public and education programs, in Australia and beyond. More at acmi.net.au