This location is now closed.
The following article is left as-is for historical and archiving purposes.
Le Premier Musee du Jeu Video en France
Alongside the unique computer museum, which is the only one of its kind in France, there is now a second unique museum in Paris that is currently located at the Grande Arche and this is the Prime Video Game museum, with the full name of Le Premier du Jeu Video en France. NOW CLOSED
Being located in the high tech business district of the Defense area, the Grande Arche is definitely the logical place to house such a museum, and the video game museum first opened to the public in April 2010.
But lets take a quick look at video game history
It was a scientist called William Higinbotham that worked in a laboratory in New York within the United States who developed the very first basic video game, which was like a table tennis game that could be played on an oscilloscope, which enthralled people for around two years.
By 1961 a group of students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or MIT that was led by Steve Russell developed the first interactive video computer game called Spacewar.
Then by 1967, two interactive video games that utilised a TV for the display were produced by a scientist called Ralph Baer working at Sanders Associates, yet the first truly major step forward was by two gentlemen called Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. They liked the idea of Spacewar and went about creating their own version for an arcade game utilising a coin operated system, which they named Computer Space and in 1971, the very first video arcade machines were being rolled off the production line for all to enjoy.
In 1972 Ralph Baer demonstrated the first ever games console that utilised a TV, named the Odyssey, and this went into production, however, the same year Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney founded Atari, with the game Pong, and this was the pioneering video console that ended up being the must have Christmas present.
And by 1980 the trackball had been invented, high scores were able to be displayed on arcade games and the very first 3D video game was invented, which was then enhanced even further for military training exercises. And it was in this same year that the popular Pac-Man game was released.
By the mid 1980s Tetris was developed by a Russian programmer, Nintendo was launched and then came Sega and by the late 1980s the first true handheld game console was released.
Yet by the mid 1990s things are taken to a whole new level with video games that you could ride on and these were being introduced into video arcades and then came the internet video games.
Of course, things have progressed even further and Nintendo created the Wii back in 2006 and the Wii Sport became the most purchased video game of all time.
About Le Premier Musee du Jeu Video en France
Le Premier Musee du Jeu Video en France is often referred to as just the Musee du Jeu Video and will provide the visitor with a fascinating look at some of the earliest video games consoles that were ever produced, plus it traces the history of video games through the decades.
Spread over an area of around 900m squared this is one of the unique museums in Paris that was designed for fans of video games and those that are curious about digital art, yet the institutions main objective is to promote safe and sensible gaming with children and adults.
There is also part of the display that is sketches and portraits of those that pioneered the video game world and displays that trace the history of gaming right through to the present day, plus there are interactive screens and much more to discover at the video game museum.
Visiting the Musee de Jeu Video Museum in Paris
Located within the Grande Arche, which is open seven days a week, and from the start of September to the end of March it is open from 10am to 7pm. However, from the start of April to the end of August it opens at 10am through to 8pm.
The cost for individuals to access the Grande Arche along with the Video Game museum, the numerous galleries and the Musee de l’Informatique Computer museum are a cost of €10 for adults and €8.50 for children, but there are discounts for groups upon reservation.
The Grand Arche is easily accessible via Metro with direct access from the Chatelet station in around 10 minutes and this is via line 1. The RER on line A is another option, as is the Tramway T2.
