Microsoft Donates Gaming History Collection To ICHEG

Microsoft has donated a collection of hundreds of items from throughout its history in the video game market to the International Center for the History of Electronic Games (ICHEG), the organization announced today. The donation includes prototypes, controllers, hardware, accessories, game-related merchandise, awards and promotional items covering Microsoft's early Windows game releases to recent prototypes of the Xbox 360 and the Kinect camera controller. A selection of these items will be displayed at the ICHEG's exhibit at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, which opened last November, while the rest will be available to researchers. "ICHEG is delighted to collaborate with Microsoft to help preserve the company's gaming history and bring attention to its extraordinary contributions to shaping the world of video games," ICHEG director Jon-Paul Dyson said in a statement. "We are proud of the role we’ve played in the evolution and innovation of the gaming industry and are excited to showcase our history of interactive entertainment products and services at ICHEG," said Xbox senior director David Hufford. The donation comes on top ICHEG donations made by Magnavox Odyssey creator Ralph Baer, SimCity creator Will Wright and M.U.L.E. creator Dani Bunten Berry in the past year, as well as donations from gaming press outlet 1UP and Gamasutra sister publication Game Developer magazine. The organization recently received a grant of over $100,000 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to support its efforts.