The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment

Do not be fooled. This place has no fees on website (donations), but when you go there they charge 5 dollars. It may sound cheap, but for the space, it is expensive. The «museum» is messy, disorganized and quite frankly, dirty. When I arrived, the person at the front tried to get money from me, but I said no since it is a non-​profit. There are many tax benefits for non– profits so I didn’t see the reason to pay 5 dollars. As I strolled around noticing the junk, a fat guy who looked like Kevin Smith told me I could not be there if I didn’t pay. I left and was super happy I wasn’t conned into paying 5. By the looks of it, this place will be shuttered soon.

Video Game Museum, public classes. A pretty cool collection and impressive set of games.

I’ve spent the last two years visiting the video game exhibits at the MoMA in New York and the Art of Video Games exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Last year, I helped put together a digital art exhibit for a museum in Louisiana. I had no idea a place like The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment existed in my «backyard».
There’s a sizable collection of games stretching back to the first home game consoles, and everything is playable on the machines set up around the space. The volunteer staff are friendly and will show you around the collection and get you settled.
I really love that classroom education is a part of the mission statement: the museum offers classes in programming, digital audio/​music recording, interactive storytelling, and more.
On the rainy afternoon I was there, there was a crew of folks preparing an exhibit on Lucasfilm Games for the Game Developers Conference that occurs in San Francisco every March.
Disclaimer: I’m a professional game developer. It was great to see some of my older work playable on systems that are no longer available.
If you like what you see, become a member and check with the staff about how you can help ensure the future success of the MADE.

Now I know what you’re ultimately thinking, yes I’m a gamer. But cmon, what guy in his right mind wouldn’t be totally excited about a place full of every known game system?! Not to leave you gamer ladies out too, here’s the shout out.
Now I went here for a comedy jam, but ended up being fascinated by the rows upon rows of games. However, the one system I actually wanted to play was kinda busted… Sooo, getting my gamer fix wasn’t an option. But hey, the comedy jam was EPIC! I was laughing so hard I nearly fell off my chair gasping for air.
From Ataris to PS2, from Segas to Xboxs… This place is a safe haven for all those who needs to get their nerdy on. The unfortunate thing this place didn’t have, as far I could tell, were board or tabletop games. But hey, if you’re a nerd/​geek with a fixation for console or even computer games… You might wanna check this place out, cause I guarantee it. You will be on your knees thanking to high heavens, that you found this place.
I know I was. =P

We went to the MADE for a special comedy night; 5 hilarious stand-​up comedians for ten bucks? Heck yes! This place is great — they have so many super obscure gaming consoles and keep everything well preserved and running smoothly. I can’t wait to go back and play some of the games!

This place is fantastic. I’ve gone there four or five times now, I think. Each time I find something else to just marvel at — from the vintage consoles and other rarities, to the obscure games, there’s just so much. And unlike say the Smithsonian’s exhibit on games, here you can play pretty much anything provided it’s not too delicate. That blows my mind.
Playing a videogame on the real machinery meant to run it is a more fulfilling experience than emulation. It’s like seeing an animal in its natural environment. It just seems right. And on obscure hardware that’s an experience you can miss out on. For that, the little two dollar admittance fee is nothing.
It’s definitely a lot cheaper than any trip to an arcade and a lot more rewarding.
Check out Fight Night on Tuesdays. And coming soon there’ll be classes for kids to learn game making, AWESOME.

The MADE first came to our attention on
. They had a $ 20k goal and we contributed. To honor those first donors, we were invited to a private opening.
Pipin, Apple’s failed game console, Panasonic’s console, Real and all manner of odd Game Cubes, original xBoxes and Ataris are on display and fully functional. You are encouraged to play everything…
From joysticks to toggles, this place is a serious blast from the past.
I wouldn’t come here unless I was ready to play.