Zagreb’s Video Game History Museum turns 1 – free tours, gifts and Don Daglow visit

(Photo: Tomislav Marić/VGHM)

The Video Game History Museum in Zagreb is celebrating its first anniversary this weekend with a special programme featuring free guided tours, gifts for visitors and a lecture by one of the world’s most recognised figures in video game development.

From Friday 29 May until Sunday 31 May, visitors to the museum at Draškovićeva 10 will be able to take part in free expert-led tours of the permanent exhibition and receive commemorative gifts, including a strategy card game inspired by video games.

The anniversary celebrations come after a successful first year in which the museum welcomed around 40,000 visitors from around the world, establishing itself as an important cultural and tourist attraction in the Croatian capital.

Museum founder Damir Šlogar said the past year had been an exciting one for the institution.

“We are grateful to everyone who supported us. It is rewarding to see the museum come alive through its visitors and their reactions,” Šlogar said.

(Photo credit: Tomislav Marić/VGHM)

He added that the museum would continue expanding its collection and hosting notable international guests in order to strengthen its role in preserving and presenting video games as part of cultural heritage.

During its first year, the museum organised several notable projects, including the first exhibition dedicated to the development of Croatian video games and the introduction of a Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions to the gaming industry.

The inaugural recipient of the award was engineer and professor Branimir Makanec.

The museum has also joined several international organisations, including ICOM, NEMO and EFGAMP, underlining its growing international recognition.

In addition, the museum received an award for best interior design at Zagreb Design Week.

A key highlight of the anniversary programme will take place on Monday 1 June at 18:00, when legendary game developer and Emmy Award winner Don Daglow will hold a lecture at the museum.

Damir Šlogar (Photo credit: Tomislav Marić/VGHM)

Daglow is regarded as one of the pioneers of the global gaming industry and currently serves as Director of Strategic Partnerships at The Strong National Museum of Play in the United States.

Over a career spanning several decades, he has received numerous honours, including an Emmy Award in 2008, induction into the Video Game Hall of Fame in 2024 and the prestigious Game Developers Choice Lifetime Achievement Award in 2026.

(Photo: VGHM)

The museum says the anniversary marks the conclusion of a successful first year and signals further ambitions, including new exhibitions, projects and additions to its collection aimed at attracting visitors of all generations.