CALENDARY ADVISORY

‘VIDEO ARCADE’ FEATURES 23 OF THE MOST BELOVED CLASSIC VIDEO ARCADE GAMES AVAILABLE FOR PLAY

Featured games, drawn from the Museum’s collection, include fan favorites Centipede Frogger, and Tron, as well as rarities such as Pole Position, Q*Bert, and II

On view through January 15, 2017

Astoria, Queens, New York, May 12, 2017—In 1980, $2.8 billion in quarters were pumped into video arcade games in the United States, more than triple the revenue from any previous year. The video arcade had arrived, as a popular culture phenomenon and a vital force in the entertainment industry. Improved graphics, game design, and marketing made such games as Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, and Pac- Man into addictive and commercially successful hits. At their peak, there were more than 10,000 video arcades across the country. Within a decade, the rise of the personal computer and home consoles would mark the end of the video arcade’s golden age. Museum of the Moving Image presents Video Arcade, a playable showcase of 23 classic video arcade games drawn from the Museum’s collection, including some of the era’s most beloved games, in their original form. The exhibition opened Saturday, May 13, and will be on view through Monday, January 15, 2018.

Games on view include: 10 Yard Fight (, 1984) Arkanoid (Taito. Released in the U.S. by Romstar, 1986) Battlezone (, 1980) Centipede (Atari, 1981) Defender (Williams, 1980) Dig Dug (Atari, 1982) Donkey Kong (, 1981) Frogger (, 1981) Galaxy Force II (Sega, 1988) Gauntlet (Atari, 1986) Karate Champ (Data East, 1985) Mortal Kombat (Midway, 1992) Ms. Pac-Man ( / Manufactured in the U.S. by Bally/Midway, 1982) NBA Jam (Midway, 1993) Out Run (Sega, 1986)

36-01 35 Avenue Astoria, NY 11106 718 777 6800 movingimage.us Pole Position (Atari, 1983) Q*Bert (Gottlieb, 1982) Robotron 2084 (Williams, 1982) Star Wars (Atari, 1983) Terminator 2: Judgment Day (Midway, 1991) Track & Field (/Centuri, 1983) Tron (Bally/Midway, 1982) (Sega / Released in the U.S. by Gremlin, 1982)

Tokens are required for play and may be purchased in the gallery at token machines or in the Museum store. Throughout the run of the exhibition, games may be retired and replaced with other games for conservation purposes.

About Collecting and Restoring Arcade Games Museum of the Moving Image began collecting video arcade games in 1989, in preparation for Hot Circuits: A Video Arcade, the first museum exhibition of its kind. Since then, the Museum has regularly exhibited arcade games, game consoles, handheld games, and computer games. The game collection, which includes more than 400 artifacts, spans the development of the industry from the early 1970s to the present day. While most artifacts in the Museum’s collection are not meant to be touched, visitors are invited to play the arcade and console games so that they can experience the games in their original format. Through extended use, components break down and require repair. The Museum retains non-functioning parts for its collection, as they allow insight into the specific history of each game. The Museum works closely with collector and conservator Jeff Anderson to restore many of the games to functional use. This process requires the replacement or repair of broken parts, and the replacement of original monitor chassis, which, even if currently functioning, are unstable and will inevitably fail because of their age. In most cases, replacement parts are the same as the original components, but this is not always possible or preferable.

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Press Contact: Tomoko Kawamoto, [email protected] / 718 777 6830

Press are welcome to view the exhibition by appointment or during public hours. Please contact Tomoko to schedule a visit. Press images are available upon request.

MUSEUM INFORMATION Museum of the Moving Image (movingimage.us) advances the understanding, enjoyment, and appreciation of the art, history, technique, and technology of film, television, and digital media. In its stunning facilities—acclaimed for both its accessibility and bold design—the Museum presents

Museum of the Moving Image Page 2 exhibitions; screenings of significant works; discussion programs featuring actors, directors, craftspeople, and business leaders; and education programs which serve more than 50,000 students each year. The Museum also houses a significant collection of moving-image artifacts.

Hours: Wednesday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friday, 10:30 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday- Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Museum Admission: $15 adults (18+); $11 senior citizens (65+) and students (18+) with ID; $7 youth (ages 3–17). Children under 3 and Museum members are admitted free. Admission to the galleries is free on Fridays, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Film Screenings: Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays, and as scheduled. Unless otherwise noted, ticket are $15 adults / $11 seniors and students / $7 youth 3–17 / Free for members at the Film Lover and Kids Premium levels and above. Advance purchase is available online. Ticket purchase may be applied toward same-day admission to the Museum’s galleries. Location: 36-01 35 Avenue (at 37 Street) in Astoria. Subway: M (weekdays only) or R to Steinway Street. W (weekdays only) or N to 36 Avenue. Program Information: Telephone: 718 777 6888; Website: movingimage.us Membership: movingimage.us/support/membership or 718 777 6877

Museum of the Moving Image is housed in a building owned by the City of New York and has received significant support from the following public agencies: New York City Department of Cultural Affairs; New York City Economic Development Corporation; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; Institute of Museum and Library Services; National Endowment for the Humanities; National Endowment for the Arts; and Natural Heritage Trust (administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation). For more information, please visit movingimage.us.

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