Our collections in the service of preservation
This unique collection includes computers, home consoles, arcade terminals, demonstration terminals, documentation, magazines, promotional items and, of course, a large number of software packages for each machine. This collection, estimated at around 60,000 items, is mainly earmarked for a major project, the creation of a national museum dedicated to digital heritage.
The pieces in our core collection, which includes the rarest objects in the best state of preservation, are kept away from light, humidity and major temperature variations.
The most common items, which we own in large numbers or which need to be repaired, make up our study collection, which is used in our exhibitions and can be consulted by students, researchers or journalists who wish to do so.
Our collections include around 25,000 machines, in the fields of professional and personal computing, and video games. Some of our oldest items are over 50 years old, and some still have their original packaging.
Our software collection includes professional software for a wide range of video games, in all formats: audio cassettes, floppy disks, cartridges, CD-ROMs and more. In all, more than forty media are represented, ranging from the 1970s to the present day.
Our paper collections include user manuals, programming guides, technical manuals and several thousand magazines covering the latest IT and video game news.
The cycle of adding new objects and works to our collections can be described in a few stages:
- Receiving donations and allocating them to our collections (hardware, software, documents, etc.),
- Cleaning, testing and repairing equipment as required,
- Inventory of new entries by collection managers,
- Integration into the core collection or study collection, and showcasing at our many exhibitions and fairs throughout the year.
The association also plays an advisory role for the various collector and enthusiast communities to which it is constantly linked, and from which it also gathers expertise in very specific fields.