11th Annual SAAM Arcade 2024 to be Held at the Smithsonian American Art Museum

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On Saturday, July 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Smithsonian American Art Museum will host SAAM Arcade 2024, its yearly investigation of video games and art. The museum's continued dedication to the analysis and interpretation of video games as a component of the country's visual culture is demonstrated by this program.

The popular festival of game invention and creativity this year is themed "Adventure Awaits." Video games that highlight the themes of travel, adventure, and the thrilling potential of exploring real and imagined new worlds are on display at an all-day event. The independent developer showcase, which has nine games this year, is the main attraction of the gathering. Additionally, a selection of vintage arcade and console games with vehicles, travel, and new worlds to explore are available to play thanks to MAGFest, a non-profit organization devoted to the appreciation of games and video game music.

The following games have been chosen for the "Indie Showcase":

  • "Hair Nah" by Momo Pixel, which examines the experiences of Black women who travel;

  • "A Highland Song" by inkle, which takes place in the Scottish Highlands and tests players' survival skills;

  • “Atuel" by Matajuegos, which focuses on the ecosystem of Argentina's Atuel River Valley;

  • "Skábma-Snowfall" by Red Stage Entertainment, in which players take on the role of Sámi reindeer herders and become traditional healers;

  • "Sophia The Traveler" by Memo Gogo Studio, which takes players through a desert and the remnants of a vanished civilization;

  • "Journey" by thatgamecompany, which traverses a desert and passes through remnants of a forgotten civilization; and

  • "Spiritfarer" by Thunder Lotus Games, in which players travel by sea and become ferry masters, tending to and befriend spirits on their journey to the afterlife.

  • Cicada Games' "Isles of Sea and Sky," a story about castaway survivors traveling across ancient islands

  • Studio Morgan's "Morgan: Metal Detective," in which users use metal detectors to find hidden riches on an island

From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., sound levels will be lowered to accommodate attendees with sensory needs, ensuring they can fully enjoy the event. Throughout the program, noise-cancelling headphones will be available for borrowing. Additionally, American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be present to assist Deaf visitors in fully participating in the activities.

Triforce Quartet will perform at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Additionally, a themed scavenger hunt will invite visitors to explore the museum's galleries and discover connections between video games and items in the collection. The museum is also hosting "Side Quest," an interactive game where participants can ask developers questions and win prizes. For more details and a complete list of featured games, please visit the museum’s website. While the program is free, registration is recommended.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum is at the forefront of examining the influence and creativity of video games. It was among the first art museums in the U.S. to include video games in its permanent collection. Recognizing that video games foster immersive and social environments designed by artists and developers, SAAM Arcade highlights this by promoting active engagement and direct interactions between independent developers, gamers, and new audiences.

Global Intuition