Gaming as Cultural Heritage: Bringing Video Games into the Museum
With his project safeinthe.sh, Mathias is pursuing a clear vision: to see video games not just as entertainment, but as meaningful cultural artifacts worth preserving, documenting, and passing on.
Games have been a constant part of his life since childhood. Starting with the Game Boy, he was deeply shaped by classics such as Final Fantasy VII, Pokémon Red & Blue, Time Crisis, Kingdom Hearts, Need for Speed, and The Legend of Zelda. For Mathias, video games have always been more than just a hobby—they are a retreat, a safe space, a way to step away from the noise of everyday life.
It is precisely this personal connection that led to the creation of safeinthe.sh. At the heart of the project is a curated collection that goes far beyond simply collecting. It focuses on exhibitions, archival formats, and content that place games within their cultural context—calmly, respectfully, and with a sustainable approach.
A major milestone has now been reached: Mathias officially announces a collaboration with the Retro Gaming Museum Vienna. Parts of his exhibition are already on display there, including his extensive Pokémon collection and other selected exhibits.
For him, this step is more than just a partnership—it is a clear statement: video games belong in museums and in the cultural public sphere. They are part of our history and deserve the same recognition as other forms of art and culture.
And this is only the beginning. In the near future, further collaborations, partnerships with publishers, and new formats are planned to bring even more attention to gaming as a cultural asset.
Finally, Mathias extends his thanks to the Retro Gaming Museum Vienna and looks ahead with great anticipation to what lies ahead.