Manitoba Computer and Gaming Museum powers up

That old Mac has a new use — in a fledgling museum’s exhibit.

Founders behind the proposed Manitoba Computer & Gaming Museum aim to open a permanent location in 2027. The first iteration — a pop-up — is set to appear Tuesday at an annual conference for tech aficionados.

“I’m surprised that there isn’t anything like (it) now,” said James Perih, co-chair of the nascent museum.

He’s worked as an app developer and runs his own company. On the side, he collects Mac and PC computers from the ’90s and early 2000s.

Perih joined a Facebook group earlier this year — the Manitoba Retro Computer and Gaming Club — and met dozens of fellow enthusiasts. Some group members convened in spring and posed a question: why not start a museum?

The club isn’t connected to the museum. Still, it’s where Perih met co-chair Fabio Hofnik, the founder behind Hyper, an annual tech conference.

The duo and a handful of peers formed a museum board. They pooled resources — Apple computers from the ‘90s, old Nintendos and Ataris — and have accumulated at least 40 pieces.

They’ve tapped Brandon University students to find stories connecting Manitoba to technology advancements. The board includes historians and computer scientists; they’ve submitted incorporation papers and hope to eventually get charitable status.

“Those past history stories have to be told,” said Hofnik, 45.

He’s booked a first exhibit during the Hyper conference Tuesday. Tech industry members will gather at StudioLab xR, a virtual production campus.

Museum founders will showcase the hardware they’ve collected. Also Tuesday, at Pop CoLab — a studio in the Richardson Centre concourse downtown — the museum will launch an exhibit focused on old creative-focused technology, including out-of-circulation Apple products with Adobe Photoshop installed.

Hofnik said he plans to visit the space weekly or biweekly, giving demonstrations to viewers. The group will create write-ups for its exhibition pieces. They aim to use emulators, allowing for period software demonstrations on newer technology to prevent overuse of old goods.

Hofnik expects to hold three- to four-month-long pop-ups over the next 18 months that vary in topic. Schools and places like the RBC Convention Centre would be ideal, he said.

“The nostalgia and retro vibes are so back,” he added.

PlayStation 5 users can change the console’s start-up animation to past PlayStation generations. Three years ago, Atari 50 — a compilation of old video games — was released to mark the company’s 50th anniversary.

Demand isn’t just for past computer games, Hofnik said.

“People are very concerned about AI,” he said. “It’s important for everyone to understand why are we here talking about AI, and how is AI so advanced now.”

He’s hoping to partner with schools, businesses and government entities over the coming months. The museum will need to raise between $250,000 and $500,000 for its own physical footprint, Hofnik estimated.

The board is discussing holding an event targeting donors, though nothing concrete is scheduled. Board members are also creating a policy for technology donations, Hofnik said.

“There is no other way to experience these older machines in a group setting than with that Facebook group,” said Perih. “The museum hopes to take that joy and make it something that is available and accessible full time.”

The initiative could bring different generations together and lead young people to tech jobs, said Louie Ghiz, New Media Manitoba’s executive director.

New Media Manitoba is a digital technology sector council. Staff have discussed the museum with Hofnik, though it isn’t an official partner, Ghiz said.

“That could come,” he added. “It’s kind of fun and exciting. I think it can really show the history of technology and computers and video game development.”

Museum founders aim to host classes, lectures and workshops. They’re accepting museum donations through the museum’s website, mcgmuseum.ca.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com