Behind the Scenes at the National Museum of Play Library

Summary

In this article, we take a behind-the-scenes look at the National Museum of Play Library in Rochester, New York. The library contains an amazing collection of toys, games, and video games, including design documents from some of the most popular titles. We explore the library’s special collections, including handwritten design documents from Roberta Williams, the founder of Sierra Online, and get a glimpse of some of the original packaging for classic games like Mystery House and Castle Wolfenstein.

Preserving the History of Gaming: A Look Inside the National Museum of Play Library
Roberta Williams’ Handwritten Design Documents: A Fascinating Glimpse into the Making of King’s Quest
From Ziploc Bags to Classic Games: Exploring the Library’s Special Collections
The Original Castle Wolfenstein: A Great Example of Gaming History

Preserving the History of Gaming

The National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, is home to one of the world’s most amazing collections of toys, games, and video games. But what many people don’t know is that the museum also has a library where they preserve not just the games themselves but also all the background information that gives us a fuller picture of the history of gaming. This includes everything from books about video games to strategy guides and even special collections, like the one that came from Ken and Roberta Williams, the founders of Sierra Online.

Roberta Williams’ Handwritten Design Documents

One of the most fascinating collections in the National Museum of Play Library is Roberta Williams’ handwritten design documents for King’s Quest I. The documents are written in pencil and show how Williams would write out in longhand how the games would go. For example, if King Graham wants to swim in the ocean, this is the screen that he will swim on. When he swims across it, it will be replaced by the same picture. It’s amazing to see how Williams created the game from scratch and how it evolved over time.

From Ziploc Bags to Classic Games

The library’s special collections also include original packaging for classic games like Mystery House and Castle Wolfenstein. These games were originally sold in Ziploc bags, and while the bags in the library may not be the original ones, they are close to how the games would have been sold. It’s amazing to see how far gaming has come since those early days and to get a glimpse of what it was like to play those classic games.

The Original Castle Wolfenstein

Castle Wolfenstein is a classic game that many gamers will remember fondly. It’s amazing to think that the original design documents for the game are still around and that we can get a glimpse of how the game was created. If you could dig through the original design documents for any video game, which one would it be? Let us know in the comments.

Conclusion

The National Museum of Play Library is an amazing resource for anyone interested in the history of gaming. From handwritten design documents to original packaging, the library gives us a glimpse into the past and allows us to appreciate how far gaming has come. If you’re ever in Rochester, be sure to check it out. And don’t forget to subscribe for more articles like this one.